
JUNIOR HIGH HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY – SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADES In the primary and intermediate grades, this model history curriculum is divided into distinct world and American strands. By the junior high years, these strands have merged. Generally speaking, studies in seventh and eighth grades cover the twentieth century, beginning around the time America became a world power and moving through post-Cold War challenges. Central themes include growth and change in American democracy, and interactions with world forces, particularly nationalism and totalitarianism. In grade eight, students get a unit on civics. They review what they’ve learned about the principles of American democracy, then take a closer look at the Constitution and at how government functions in this country. As children study events that have taken place beyond our borders, they become familiar with America’s role in the unfolding of world affairs. They also study the history, geography, and achievements of other nations and cultures. One overarching goal of studying world history should be to come to know the grand story of mankind’s age-old endeavors: the struggle of people to survive, to dominate others or gain freedom, to build or tear down, to better themselves, to find spiritual meaning. History should help...

SEVENTH GRADE
Seventh grade continues the chronological study of world and American history. The curriculum begins with the emergence of the U.S. as a world power around the tum of the twentieth century. Students then learn about World War I, the Russian Revolution, Am...
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EIGHTH GRADE
Eighth grade continues the chronological study of world and American history and brings it nearly to the present. The curriculum begins with the decline of European colonialism and moves through the post-Cold War world. In this grade, students also delve ...
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IS YOUR SCHOOL TEACHING LITERACY...
Here are examples of names, places, events, and phrases from American history that children should learn during elementary school. If your school is doing a good job leaching history, your child should be able to identify many of the items on this list by...
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IS YOUR SCHOOL TEACHING LITERACY...
Here are some names, places, events, and phrases from world history that children should learn about during elementary school. If your school is doing a good job teaching history, your child should be able to identify many of the items on this list by th...
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IS YOUR CHILD LEARNING HOW AMERI...
The following twenty questions are the type that immigrants must answer to become U.S. citizens. By the time she leaves eighth grade, your child should know enough about the governing principles and institutions of the United States to pass such a “...
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QUESTIONS TO ASK THE TEACHER
You may want to ask your child’s junior high school history teacher questions such as: What significant events and individuals from history will my child study this year? What important documents (e .g., the Constitution, Gettysburg Address) will sh...
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