8th Grade Civics and Government Standards
8th Grade Civics and Government Standards
8.C&G.1.1 Summarize democratic ideals expressed in local, state, and national government (e.g. limited government, popular sovereignty, separation of powers, republicanism, federalism and individual rights). (Day 1)
The student will understand:
The student will know:
8.C&G.1.2 Evaluate the degree to which democratic ideals are evident in historical documents from North Carolina and the United States (e.g. the Mecklenburg Resolves, the Halifax Resolves, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the Bill of Rights and the principles outlined in the US Constitution and North Carolina Constitutions of 1776, 1868 and 1971). (Day 2)
The student will understand:
The student will know:
8.C&G.1.3 Analyze differing viewpoints on the scope and power of state and national governments (e.g. Federalists and anti-Federalists, education, immigration and healthcare). (Day 3)
The student will understand that:
The student will know:
8.C&G.1.4 Analyze access to democratic rights and freedoms among various groups in North Carolina and the United States (e.g. enslaved people, women, wage earners, landless farmers, American Indians, African Americans and other ethnic groups). (Day 3)
The student will understand that:
The student will know:
8.C&G.2.1 Evaluate the effectiveness of various approaches used to effect change in North Carolina and the United States (e.g. picketing, boycotts, sit-ins, voting, marches, holding elected office and lobbying). (Day 4)
The student will understand:
The student will know:
8.C&G.2.2 Analyze issues pursued through active citizen campaigns for change (e.g. voting rights and access to education, housing and employment).
The student will understand:
The student will know:
8.C&G.2.3 Explain the impact of human and civil rights issues throughout North Carolina and United States history.
The student will understand:
The student will know:
8.C&G.1.1 Summarize democratic ideals expressed in local, state, and national government (e.g. limited government, popular sovereignty, separation of powers, republicanism, federalism and individual rights). (Day 1)
The student will understand:
- Governmental systems are based on various ideals and principal that tie a nation and people together.
- The political and social behaviors of a society are governed by its values and beliefs.
The student will know:
- How democratic ideals are reflected in local, state, and national governments.
- The concept and intent of democratic principles e.g. limited government, popular sovereignty, separation of powers, republicanism, federalism and individual rights.
- How democratic ideas reflect the values and beliefs of citizens of North Carolina and United States.
- Similarities and differences among the various levels of government in terms of structure and function.
8.C&G.1.2 Evaluate the degree to which democratic ideals are evident in historical documents from North Carolina and the United States (e.g. the Mecklenburg Resolves, the Halifax Resolves, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the Bill of Rights and the principles outlined in the US Constitution and North Carolina Constitutions of 1776, 1868 and 1971). (Day 2)
The student will understand:
- Historical documents reflect differing degrees of democratic ideals.
The student will know:
- The literal meaning of various historical documents as it relates to democratic ideals.
- How various historical documents have been interpreted over time.
- The degree to which various historical documents do/do not reflect adherence to democratic ideals.
8.C&G.1.3 Analyze differing viewpoints on the scope and power of state and national governments (e.g. Federalists and anti-Federalists, education, immigration and healthcare). (Day 3)
The student will understand that:
- In a democratic society, the scope and power of the national government may be greater than other governmental structures within that nation.
- Differing viewpoints on the scope and power of state and national governments can lead to philosophical debates and armed conflict.
The student will know:
- The debate over the scope and power of the state and national government is on-going.
- The various viewpoints (e.g., regional perspectives, liberal and conservative, federalist and anti-federalists) on economic, political and social issues past and present.
- How differing viewpoints on the scope and power of the state and national government affect current issues.
8.C&G.1.4 Analyze access to democratic rights and freedoms among various groups in North Carolina and the United States (e.g. enslaved people, women, wage earners, landless farmers, American Indians, African Americans and other ethnic groups). (Day 3)
The student will understand that:
- Citizenship in a democratic society affords its members equal access to certain rights, liberties, and protections under the law.
- Assess to democratic rights and freedoms among a nation’s citizens may change over time.
- Access to democratic rights and freedoms may be denied or granted to various groups in society based on race, ethnicity, gender, ableness, physical location, cultural beliefs, and socio-economic status.
- Denied access to democratic rights and freedoms are often granted to various groups after periods of struggle.
- Unequal distribution of power may lead to inequalities in society.
- Distribution of power in society may be determined by distribution of resources, individual and group motivation, and access to political decision-makers.
The student will know:
- The various groups who have struggled for access to democratic rights and freedoms and why they were denied access.
- The outcome of various struggles for civil rights and equality by citizens of North Carolina and the United States.
8.C&G.2.1 Evaluate the effectiveness of various approaches used to effect change in North Carolina and the United States (e.g. picketing, boycotts, sit-ins, voting, marches, holding elected office and lobbying). (Day 4)
The student will understand:
- Citizen participation takes many different forms in a democratic society.
- Political leaders respond to citizen action, although change is often slow.
- The effectiveness of an action may be evaluated in different ways.
The student will know:
- Democratic political systems are based on the general assumption that the majority of citizens are entitled to make the choice as to what is best for the society, thus all forms of political participation are open to everyone.
- The various forms that citizen participation can take.
- Instances when citizen action produced societal change.
- Criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of various approaches used to effect change (e.g., whether the actors received desired outcomes such as change in laws, access to opportunities otherwise denied).
8.C&G.2.2 Analyze issues pursued through active citizen campaigns for change (e.g. voting rights and access to education, housing and employment).
The student will understand:
- Maintenance of a democratic system is dependent upon the efforts and quality of participation of its citizens.
- Attempts to change society may produce unintended consequences.
- Change often requires sacrifice.
The student will know:
- The causes, circumstances surrounding and outcomes of various issues that promoted citizen action.
8.C&G.2.3 Explain the impact of human and civil rights issues throughout North Carolina and United States history.
The student will understand:
- Participation in a democratic society affords citizens certain human and civil rights.
- Differing viewpoints on the extent of human and civil rights often results in conflict.
- Human and civil rights issues may have local, national, and international consequences.
The student will know:
- The ways in which various human and civil rights issues have impacted North Carolina, the United States and the world.
- Various human and civil rights issues that continue to impact North Carolina and the United States (e.g., equal access to a sound basic education, issues of equity and fairness in the workplace, equality of living conditions).