8th Grade Jump Start - Social Studies: Week 2

Social Studies

Week 2 - Day 1

(The Spirit of Independence) Essential Question: 

Why does conflict develop?

• Read the Declaration of Independence- Analyzing a Primary Source

document and answer the questions listed after the excerpt. Think about the motives behind the representatives’ choice to seek independence from Great Britain. 

• Read this Primary Source: Two Views on the Prospect of Independence- Newsela and think about the differing perspectives that brothers William Franklin and Benjamin Franklin had about America’s independence. 
• IXL- Source Analysis Declaration of Independence

Social Studies

Week 2 - Day 2

(The American Revolution) Essential Question: 

Why does conflict develop?

• Read this article about The American Revolution: 6 Things You Should Know (But Probably Don't). Ask yourself how the conflict developed and how it changed over time.

• Read the true story called Girl Hero of the American Revolution about 16 year-old Sybil Ludington, whose brave acts helped her fellow Patriots. Think about why both armies were fighting.

• IXL- Revolutionary War Conclusion and Aftermath

Social Studies

Week 2 - Day 3

(The Constitution) Essential Question: 

Why do people form governments?

• Watch The Making of the American Constitution- TED Ed to learn how a meeting to revise the Articles of Confederation led to a new Constitution for the United States. Click “Dig Deeper” for more resources about the Constitution. 
• IXL- Articles of Confederation

Social Studies

Week 2 - Day 4

(The Constitution) Essential Question: 

Why do people form governments?

• Check out the informative resource called A Guide to the US Constitution- Junior Scholastic for an overview of the U.S. Constitution.
• Explore The Constitution- National Archives and think about what your life would be like today if this document did not exist. 
• IXL- The Constitution Structure and Principles

Social Studies

Week 2 - Day 5

(The Constitution) Essential Question: 

How do new ideas change the way people live?

• Learn about How Power is Divided in the United States Government- TED Ed by watching this animated video. Why do you think that each branch of government has different responsibilities?
• Play this game on iCivics- Branches of Power game to practice how the roles of the three branches of government work. You can create an account if you don’t have one by logging in through Google.