This document outlines the curriculum for 8th grade social studies. It includes units on US history, world history, economics, political science, and social systems. The cognitive skills developed include analysis, synthesis, evaluation, logical extrapolation, and insight. There is no constitution test required for middle school. Students learn about forms of government, political spectrums, and historical eras like the Gilded Age and World War 1. Learning physically changes the brain by forming new neural connections and strengthening existing ones when students are exposed to enriched environments with novelty, multiple modalities, motivation, attention, and some emotion. 21st century skills are emphasized, including flexibility, cultural literacy, and resilience.

1. 8th Grade Social Studies

2. 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

3. 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

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

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

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

8. ... 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.

9. 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 !!!

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

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

13. 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