Social Studies — Grade 8

Canning for country and community

In this lesson plan, students will use primary source documents to evaluate the technological challenges of food preservation in the 30s and 40s, compare food preservation in the first half of the twentieth century with today, and consider the political role of food in the community.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 and 10–12 Social Studies)

By Melissa Thibault.

Civil rights protests and dilemmas

In this lesson students explore well-known civil rights protests then listen to two oral histories of individuals who protested in their own way to promote equality for African Americans. Students specifically will consider personal risks involved in protest.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 and 10–12 Social Studies)

By Kristin Post.

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.

Lesson plans on the web

Freedom of speech and automatic language: Examining the Pledge of Allegiance

Students explore rote learning and their own right to freedom of speech by examining the Pledge of Allegiance from a historical and personal perspective (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provider: IRA/NCTE

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 forest. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies and Science)

Provider: Forest History Society