Seventh & Eighth Grade Social Studies Objectives

2011-2012

1. Student initiates an inquiry by:
   • Asking focusing and probing questions;
   • Developing a research statement;
   • Examining relevant information;
   • Following a detailed plan.
2. Student conducts research by:
   • Locating relevant information;
   • Analyzing evidence;
   • Recording observation;
   • Citing sources appropriately.
3. Student communicates findings by:
   • Developing explanations to support research;
   • Making connections by proposing solutions based on their findings;
   • Organizing and displaying information in writing or visually.

1. Student connects the past with the present by:
   • Explaining differences between historic and present day objects;
   • Describing ways that life in the United States and/or the world has both changed and stayed the same over time;
   • Investigating and evaluating how events, people, and ideas (democracy, for example) have shaped the United States and the world.
2. Student shows understanding of how humans interpret history by:
   • Identifying different types of primary and secondary sources (for example, visual, literary, and musical sources), and evaluating the possible biases expressed in them;
   • Reading and interpreting historic maps;
   • Evaluating the credibility of differing accounts of the same event(s). 
   • Evaluating attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in different historical contexts.
3. Student shows understanding of past, present, and future time by: 
   • Identifying the beginning, middle, and end of an historical narrative or story;
   • Constructing time lines of significant historical developments in the nation and world;
   • Identifying important events in the United States and/or world, and describing multiple causes and effects of those events.
   • Identifying why certain events are considered pivotal and how they cause us to reorder time.

1. Student interprets geography and solves geographic problems by:
   • Identifying characteristics of states, countries, and continents    using resources such as landmarks, models, different kinds of maps, photographs, atlases, internet, video, reference materials, GIS and mental mapping;
   • Identifying and using the basic elements of a map;
   • Observing, comparing, and analyzing patterns of national and global land use;
   • Locating the physical, political, and cultural regions of the U.S. and the world;
   • Locating and using absolute and relative location, and explaining why selected cities are of historical and current importance;
   • Using absolute and relative location to identify major mountain ranges, major rivers, and major climate and vegetation zones and effects of these on settlement patterns;
   • Using grid systems to locate places on maps and globes (longitude and latitude).
2. Student shows understanding of human interaction with the environment over time by:
   • Describing how human activity and technology have changed the environment in the U.S. and world for specific purposes;
   • Evaluating different viewpoints regarding resource use in the U.S. and world;
   • Recognizing patterns of voluntary and involuntary migration in the U.S. and world;
   • Identifying and comparing expressions of culture in Vermont, the U.S., and the world through analysis of various models of expression such as poems, songs, dances, stories, paintings, and photographs.

1. Student acts as a citizen by:
   • Comparing the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in another country to those of the U.S;
   • Identifying problems, proposing solutions, and considering the effects of a course of action in the local community, state, nation, or world.
   • Explaining and defending their own point of view on issues that affect themselves and society, using information gained from reputable sources;
   • Explaining and critically evaluating views that are not one’s own;
   • Establishing rules and/or policies for a group, school, or community, and defending them.
   • Demonstrating understanding of various forms of government by describing how rules and laws are created;
   • Demonstrating understanding of various forms of government by identifying key documents on which U.S. laws are based and where to find them;
   • Demonstrating understanding of various forms of government by describing how government decisions impact and/or relate to their lives;
   • Demonstrating understanding of various forms of government by identifying the basic functions, structures and purposes of governments within the United States.
   • Demonstrates understanding of various forms of government by describing the basic principles of American democracy;
   • Examining how different societies address issues of human interdependence by explaining conditions, actions, and motivations that contribute to tensions and/or conflict within and among individuals, communities, and nations.

1. Student shows an understanding of the interaction/interdependence between humans, the environment, and the economy by:
   • Drawing conclusions about how choices within an economic system affect the environment in the state, nation, and/or world;
   • Making economic decisions as a consumer, producer, saver, investor, and citizen by explaining what happens when people’s needs or wants exceed their available resources.

1. Conventions: Demonstrates grade level control over conventions, especially formatting, punctuation (commas, dialogue, quotations), capitalization, and correct word usage (pronoun/antecedent agreement, etc.)
2. Spelling: Correctly spells grade-level vocabulary words and frequently misspelled words.

1. Participates in classroom discussions by appropriately asking questions and making comments relevant to the topic.
2. Demonstrates appropriate eye contact, body language, pace, volume, tone, and word choice for speaking in discussions and presentations.