8TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES SEMESTER 1

This course is a comprehensive, well-balanced program that prepares middle school students for success in a basic understanding of both local and federal government, economics, history and geography. Through a detailed interweaving of readings from the textbook and completing various activities, students will gain a newfound confidence in their own understanding of government, economics, and civic responsibility. Topics studied include: creation of the Constitution, roles of the three branches of government, laws and society, roles of state and local governments, and political parties.

Textbook: (purchased separately)

• Prentice Hall, Civics: Government and Economics in Action, 2009