In 8th grade social studies, students will study American history from 1787-1877 and analyze the implications of government structures and economic policies for individuals, communities, nations, and global relationships. The course starts with the Early Republic in 1787 and we move into the 19th century with A New National Identity, Westward Expansion, and Reform Movements. Then students study the Antebellum period, the Civil War, and finish the year with Reconstruction. With an emphasis on literacy, primary sources, and performance tasks like debates and simulations, students will acquire the knowledge and skills to think analytically about how past and present interactions of people, cultures, and the environment shape the American heritage. Such knowledge and skills enable students to make informed decisions that reflect fundamental rights and core democratic values as productive citizens in local, national, and global communities.