8th Grade Social Studies

Curriculum -8th Grade Cognitive Skills W RLD HISTORY U.S. HISTORY Political Science Economics Social Systems (Psychology Sociology…) Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation Horizontal Thinking Analogies Logical Extrapolation Insight

Units of Study Pre-Units: Perception,Cognition, Worldviews Forms of Government Political Spectrum Units: Gilded Age Age of Imperialism World War I The New Deal & Great Depression

Units of Study Rise of Totalitarianism WWII & Post-War Settlement Fifties & Boomers Foreign Policy & The Cold War Challenges of Globalization and War

THERE IS NO “CONSTITUTION TEST” Not a graduation requirement for Middle School U.S. and State Constitutions are taught and tested in 7th Grade

Cognitive and Disciplinary Skills Affective : Feelings, preferences, values. Cognitive : Thinking, getting, evaluating and synthesizing information. Psychomotor : Physical and perceptual activities and skills. Bloom & Gardner

Affective : Feelings, preferences, values.

Cognitive : Thinking, getting, evaluating and synthesizing information.

Psychomotor : Physical and perceptual activities and skills.

Learning Physically Changes The Brain … And sever old ones Neurons make new connections

... when students interact with the world and synthesize information obtained by their senses, neurons receive input from each other and are altered , creating new electrical patterns between networks of neurons . During learning, changes may occur in the way neurons communicate with each other; in the efficiency of connections between neurons; in the number of neurons involved in the network; in the amount of energy required for communication to be initiated; and in how often communication occurs. New neural connections are formed constantly, while others are either strengthened or eliminated. A large body of research confirms that humans exposed to more enriched environments have larger , heavier brains with increased branching and connecting of neurons.

Things that Stimulate New Neuronal Connections Enriched Environments : Novelty: Mu lti ple Mod alit ies : High Motivation & Focused Attention Significant Emotional Reaction But not too much emotion !!!

Expertise Vision Vertical Thinker = Significant Field Knowledge <-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> = Parallel or Analogous Concepts Horizontal Thinking Benefits of Horizontal Thinking to Vertical Thinkers

Horizontal Thinking Generates Insight Seeks Alternatives “ Outside The Box” Solutions

21 st Century Technologies Nanotechnology Quantum Computers Artificial Intelligence Genetic Sciences Alternative Fuels Human Brain Research String Theory Environmental Science Change is Coming !

Nanotechnology

Quantum Computers

Artificial Intelligence

Genetic Sciences

Alternative Fuels

Human Brain Research

String Theory

Environmental Science

Educating for the Quantum Economy Autotelic Learners Global Perspective Risk Tolerant Scientific Literacy Flexible Synthesis Cultural Literacy Opportunity Orientation Adaptive Networked Complexity Systems & Connectivity Creativity not Rigidity Modular organizations Resilience and Consilience