8th Grade Jump Start - Social Studies: Week 3

Social Studies

Week 3 - Day 1

(The Constitution) Essential Question: 

How do new ideas change the way people live?

• Watch this 3- minute guide to the The Bill of Rights- TED Ed. Quiz yourself after watching by clicking “Think”. For more resources including a high resolution image of the Bill of Rights, click on “Dig Deeper”.
• Access the Bill of Rights on The Bill of Rights Institute’s website.
• IXL- Amendments
• IXL- The Bill of Rights

Social Studies

Week 3 - Day 2

(The Federalist Era) Essential Question: 

Why does conflict develop?

• Read the article The Fight Over the Constitution- Newsela to understand the different perspectives of the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. How did these multiple perspectives lead to conflict?
• Play the interactive game, iCivics- Race to Ratify, to understand the key debates surrounding the ratification of the Constitution. You can create an account if you don’t have one by logging in through Google.

Social Studies

Week 3 - Day 3

(Growth and Expansion in the Jefferson Era) Essential Question:

How does geography influence the way people live? 

• Read this Thomas Jefferson background information PDF to review the details related to Jefferson’s presidency and his push to expand the United States’ borders. 
• Review the rules and details of the Louisiana Purchase by reading this PDF and exploring the map. Think about how adding this new territory may have impacted the identity of the new nation.
• Look at the Louisiana Purchase- Gallery and read the captions about the four primary sources included.

Social Studies

Week 3 - Day 4

(Growth and Expansion in the Jefferson Era) Essential Question:

How does geography influence the way people live? 

• Go on an expedition with Lewis and Clark by clicking on Google Earth Explorers- Lewis and Clark. Use the arrows on the right to see map images, videos, and descriptions of twelve stops on the explorers’ journey.
• Read the Primary Source- Jefferson's Message on Lewis and Clark's Expedition- Newsela. Think about the purpose of Jefferson’s letter and why this was important.

Social Studies

Week 3 - Day 5

(The Jackson Era) Essential Questions: 

What are the characteristics of a leader? Why does conflict develop? 

• Learn about the life of Andrew Jackson and visit his home in Tennessee, The Hermitage.
• Watch the Trail of Tears PBS Learning Media Video and think about the ethical issues involved in the government’s treatment of the Native Americans.
• Watch History vs. Andrew Jackson- TED Ed and decide what the verdict would be if you had to judge. Was Jackson a hero or a villain? What reasons would yo