Colorado 8th Grade Social Studies Standards

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SS.8.1 History

• SS.8.1.1 Investigate and evaluate primary and secondary sources about United States history from the American Revolution through Reconstruction to formulate and defend a point of view with textual evidence.
  • SS.8.1.1.a Use and interpret documents and other relevant primary and secondary sources pertaining to United States history from multiple perspectives.
  • SS.8.1.1.b Analyze evidence from multiple sources including those with conflicting accounts about specific events in United States history.
  • SS.8.1.1.c Critique data for point of view, historical context, distortion, or propaganda and relevance to historical inquiry.
  • SS.8.1.1.d Construct a written historical argument supported by evidence demonstrating the use or understanding of primary and secondary sources.
• SS.8.1.2 The historical eras, individuals, groups, ideas and themes from the origins of the American Revolution through Reconstruction.
  • SS.8.1.2.a Determine and explain the historical context of key people and events from the origins of the American Revolution through Reconstruction including the examination of different perspectives.
  • SS.8.1.2.b Evaluate continuity and change over the course of United States history by examining various eras and determining major sources of conflict and compromise.
  • SS.8.1.2.c Examine factors that motivated the military and economic expansion from the American Revolution through Reconstruction.
  • SS.8.1.2.d Evaluate the impact of gender, age, ethnicity and class during this time period and the impact of these demographic groups on the events of the time period.
  • SS.8.1.2.e Analyze causes and effects of major conflicts from the origins of the American Revolution through Reconstruction.
  • SS.8.1.2.f Analyze ideas that are critical to the understanding of American history.

SS.8.2 Geography

• SS.8.2.1 Use geographic tools to research and analyze patterns in human and physical systems in the United States.
  • SS.8.2.1.a Interpret maps and other geographic tools as a primary source to analyze a historic issue.
  • SS.8.2.1.b Describe the nature and spatial distribution of cultural patterns.
  • SS.8.2.1.c Recognize the patterns and networks of economic interdependence.
  • SS.8.2.1.d Explain the establishment of human settlements in relationship to physical attributes and important regional connections.
  • SS.8.2.1.e Calculate and analyze population trends.
• SS.8.2.2 Competition for control of space and resources in early American History.
  • SS.8.2.2.a Analyze how economic, political, cultural, and social processes interact to shape patterns of human population, interdependence, cooperation and conflict.
  • SS.8.2.2.b Compare how differing geographic perspectives apply to a historic issue.
  • SS.8.2.2.c Interpret from a geographic perspective the expansion of the United States by addressing issues of land, security, access, and sovereignty.

SS.8.3 Economics

• SS.8.3.1 Economic freedom, including free trade was important for economic growth in early American History.
  • SS.8.3.1.a Give examples of international and regional differences in resources, productivity, and costs that provide a basis for trade.
  • SS.8.3.1.b Describe the factors that lead to a nation or a region having a comparative and absolute advantage in trade.
  • SS.8.3.1.c Explain effects of domestic policies on international trade.
  • SS.8.3.1.d Explain why nations sometimes restrict trade by using quotas, tariffs, and nontariff barriers.
• SS.8.3.2 Examine the role of consumer decisions and taxes within the market economies of early American History (PFL).
  • SS.8.3.2.a Calculate how the value of money has changed over time impacting earning, spending, borrowing, and investing.
  • SS.8.3.2.b Explain factors that have impacted borrowing and investing over time.
  • SS.8.3.2.c Analyze the changes in the development of human capital over time.
  • SS.8.3.2.d Analyze the impact of taxes on the people of the United States over time.

SS.8.4 Civics

• SS.8.4.1 Construct an understanding of the changing definition of citizenship and the expansion of rights of citizens in the United States.
  • SS.8.4.1.a Describe instances in which major political, social, economic, or cultural changes occurred and the reasons for the changes.
  • SS.8.4.1.b Analyze the changing definition of citizenship and give examples of the expansion of rights.
  • SS.8.4.1.c Describe examples of citizens and groups who have influenced change in United States government and politics.
  • SS.8.4.1.d Evaluate the result of various strategies for political change over time.
  • SS.8.4.1.e Analyze primary sources supporting democratic freedoms and the founding of our government.
  • SS.8.4.1.f Examine ways members of society may effectively voice opinions, monitor government, and bring about change nationally.
• SS.8.4.2 The purpose and place of rule of law in a constitutional system.
  • SS.8.4.2.a Discern various types of law.
  • SS.8.4.2.b Evaluate the strengths of rule of law.
  • SS.8.4.2.c Describe and engage in various means of conflict management.
  • SS.8.4.2.d Explain the role and importance of the Constitution.
  • SS.8.4.2.e Discuss the tensions between individual rights, state law, and national law.
  • SS.8.4.2.f Explain how the state and federal courts’ power of judicial review is reflected in the United States’ form of constitutional government.
  • SS.8.4.2.g Use a variety of resources to identify and evaluate issues that involve civic responsibility, individual rights, and the common good.