Get in touch
Parent sign in Start free trial
Parent sign in
Español Sign in Start free trial
menu
8th grade 19 TAC §113.20 99 student expectations 6 activities

8th grade Social Studies

Eighth grade is United States history through 1877: colonies and the Revolution, the Constitution and its principles, the early republic and the age of Jackson, westward expansion, sectionalism and compromise, the Civil War and Lincoln's ideas, Reconstruction and its amendments, and the reformers, inventors, and cultures that shaped the young nation.

Practice activities

🗽Colonies and RevolutionEras and key dates through 1877, why Europeans came, the 13 colonies, the growth of representative government, the causes and people of the American Revolution, and the ideas behind independence.
📜The Constitution and the Early RepublicThe Articles of Confederation, the Convention of 1787 and its compromises, constitutional principles, Federalists and Anti-Federalists, the Bill of Rights, the first presidents and their foreign policy, political parties, the War of 1812, Jackson and Cherokee removal, judicial review and landmark cases.
⚔️Expansion, Division, Civil War, and ReconstructionThe Northwest Ordinance, the Louisiana Purchase and Manifest Destiny, the U.S.-Mexican War, slavery and sectionalism, compromises and the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, the Civil War and Lincoln's ideas, and Reconstruction and its amendments.
🏭Regions, Reformers, and the Machine AgeRegions and geography, economic differences, free enterprise, industrialization, immigrants and conflicts, women's contributions, abolition and reform, religious freedom and the Great Awakenings, art and literature, and the inventions that changed daily life.
🏛️Conveyor Sort: Three BranchesSeparation of powers: send each power in the U.S. Constitution to the legislative, executive or judicial branch.
🔬Working Like an American HistorianJudge sources, apply chronology and cause and effect, organize evidence, read bias in historical context, build claims, make and read thematic maps, ask geographic questions, use terminology, cite ethically, present, discuss civilly, and simulate democratic processes.

The learning path

One stop per unit. Filled stops have practice activities today.

1History. The student understands traditional historical points of reference in U.S. history through 1877.2History. The student understands the causes of exploration and colonization eras.3History. The student understands the foundations of representative government in the United States.4History. The student understands significant political and economic issues of the revolutionary and Constitutional eras.5History. The student understands the challenges confronted by the government and its leaders in the early years of the r6History. The student understands westward expansion and its effects on the political, economic, and social development o7History. The student understands how political, economic, and social factors led to the growth of sectionalism and the C8History. The student understands individuals, issues, and events of the Civil War.9History. The student understands the effects of Reconstruction on the political, economic, and social life of the nation10Geography. The student understands the location and characteristics of places and regions of the United States, past and11Geography. The student understands the physical characteristics of North America and how humans adapted to and modified 12Economics. The student understands why various sections of the United States developed different patterns of economic ac13Economics. The student understands how various economic forces resulted in the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century14Economics. The student understands the origins and development of the free enterprise system in the United States.15Government. The student understands the American beliefs and principles reflected in the Declaration of Independence, th16Government. The student understands the purpose of changing the U.S. Constitution and the impact of amendments on Americ17Government. The student understands the dynamic nature of the powers of the national government and state governments in18Government. The student understands the impact of landmark Supreme Court cases.19Citizenship. The student understands the rights and responsibilities of citizens of the United States.20Citizenship. The student understands the importance of voluntary individual participation in the democratic process.21Citizenship. The student understands the importance of the expression of different points of view in a constitutional re22Citizenship. The student understands the importance of effective leadership in a constitutional republic.23Culture. The student understands the relationships between and among people from various groups, including racial, ethni24Culture. The student understands the major reform movements of the 19th century.25Culture. The student understands the impact of religion on the American way of life.26Culture. The student understands the relationship between the arts and the times during which they were created.27Science, technology, and society. The student understands the impact of science and technology on the economic developme28Science, technology, and society. The student understands the impact of scientific discoveries and technological innovat29Social studies skills. The student applies critical-thinking skills to organize and use information acquired through est30Social studies skills. The student communicates in written, oral, and visual forms.31Social studies skills. The student uses problem-solving and decision-making skills, working independently and with other

Units and standards preview

The knowledge-and-skills strands below are the state's, reproduced from Social Studies, Grade 8, Adopted 2022. Open a unit to read each student expectation and jump to the activities that practice it.

1History. The student understands traditional historical points of reference in U.S. history through 1877.2/2 practiced
  1. (A) identify the major eras in U.S. history through 1877, including colonization, revolution, creation and ratification of the Constitution, early republic, the Age of Jackson, westward expansion, reform movements, sectionalism, Civil War, and Reconstruction, and describe their causes and effects; and
    19 TAC 113.20(c)(1)(A)
    🗽 Colonies and Revolution
  2. (B) explain the significance of the following dates: 1607, founding of Jamestown; 1620, arrival of the Pilgrims and signing of the Mayflower Compact; 1776, adoption of the Declaration of Independence; 1787, writing of the U.S. Constitution; 1803, Louisiana Purchase; and 1861-1865, Civil War.
    19 TAC 113.20(c)(1)(B)
    🗽 Colonies and Revolution
2History. The student understands the causes of exploration and colonization eras.2/2 practiced
  1. (A) identify reasons for English, Spanish, and French exploration and colonization of North America; and
    19 TAC 113.20(c)(2)(A)
    🗽 Colonies and Revolution
  2. (B) compare political, economic, religious, and social reasons for the establishment of the 13 English colonies.
    19 TAC 113.20(c)(2)(B)
    🗽 Colonies and Revolution

29 more units, 99 expectations, 6 activities

This is a preview. The Family plan, with a 14-day free trial, unlocks the full 8th grade Social Studies course: every standard, every activity, progress by standard for each child, printables, and Ask Bacc.

Start free trialSee plans

How to help at home

Visit a Texas historic site or a museum, and ask your child to explain one exhibit to you.
Read a primary source together: a short letter, a declaration, a speech.
Follow one local news story and talk about which level of government it involves.

Source: Texas Education Agency, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, 19 TAC §113.20. Curriculum text on this site is reproduced from the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills as published by the Texas Education Agency and codified in Title 19 of the Texas Administrative Code. Baccare is an independent product of Brigade Management, Inc. and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the Texas Education Agency, the State Board of Education, or the Texas Secretary of State. Sources and attribution.

97%
97 of 99
standards have practice today

Course details

  • Grade8th grade
  • SubjectSocial Studies
  • Standard19 TAC §113.20
  • Units31
  • Expectations99
  • Activities6
  • PriceFree to play
Take the check-upPlay the activitiesTrack progress (with a parent account)Full curriculum view

Other 8th grade courses