LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Goal 9

The learner will explore examples of and opportunities for active citizenship, past and present, at the local and state levels.

Objective 9.01

Describe contemporary political, economic, and social issues at the state and local levels and evaluate their impact on the community.

Resources aligned to this objective

Trees in your own backyard
This activity lets students discover the benefits of urban forests by looking at trees on the schoolyard. Students will read a synopsis of the 400-year history of communal forests, survey their schoolyard trees, and draft a schoolyard tree ordinance.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)
By Lucy Laffitte.
Spanish and Hispanic English in North Carolina
In this lesson, students will listen to audio recordings and view a video clip in order to gain an understanding of the Hispanic English dialect.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)
By Hannah Askin.
A record of school desegregation: Conduct your own oral history project
In this unit for grade 8, students will research the history of school desegregation, and will use their knowledge to conduct oral history interviews with community members. Students will reflect on the experience through writing.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)
By Dayna Durbin Gleaves.
Outer Banks English
In this lesson plan, students view a video about the dialect of North Carolina's Outer Banks and develop an understanding of linguistic patterns.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)
By Hannah Askin.
Literature lamps: The Weirdo
Literature is tied to an integrated curriculum for student success. Emphasis is on reading and communication.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 English Language Arts and Social Studies)
By Wendy Sirias.
Language change in North Carolina's cities
In this activity, students view a video about the changing dialects of North Carolina's urban areas and then respond to a series of questions.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)
By Hannah Askin.
Federal recognition for Lumbee Indians
In Teaching about North Carolina American Indians, page 3.7
Introduction North Carolina recognizes the Lumbee Indian Tribe; however, Federal recognition has not been given. Why? What are the criteria for recognition? What are the reasons for and against Lumbee recognition? This lesson uses a teacher-made debate...
Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Social Studies)
By Linda Tabor.
E-pal adventure
Students will be paired with an e-pal they will hopefully meet during their 8th grade trip to the coast.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 English Language Arts, Information Skills, and Social Studies)
By Hilda Hamilton.
African American English
In this activity, students learn about the history of African American English and the meaning of dialect and linguistic patterns. Students watch a video about African American English and analyze the dialect's linguistic patterns.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)
By Hannah Askin.

Resources on the web

Where does the money come from?
This lesson provides information about the costs of government programs. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 and 8 Mathematics and Social Studies)
Provided by: National Council on Economic Education
Trees in your own back yard
How have trees improved our neighborhoods and schoolyards? Students survey trees in the schoolyard and itemize their various benefits. They will consider human impacts on trees in the city landscape and the responsibility of citizens for preserving the urban... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science and Social Studies)
Provided by: Forest History Society
From forest to farm to urban forest
Students examine what happens when the post-war urban development boom crowds out the forest. Students will also reflect on how science and technology have changed people’s perception of the natural world. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies)
Provided by: Forest History Society
Exploring Free Speech and Persuasion with '"Nothing but the Truth"
After reading the novel Nothing But The Truth, students discuss the protagonist Phillip and his right to free speech as well as their own rights. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 English Language Arts and Social Studies)
Provided by: IRA/NCTE
Connecting oral history to geography: The changes of Madison County
In this lesson for eighth grade social studies, students read about the history of Madison County and listen to associated oral histories. They then draw conclusions about the changes over time in the county and relate those changes to changes in their own... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)
Provided by: UNC Libraries