Eighth grade students look at historical topics such as the development of feudal societies and also spend considerable time and effort working on research based projects.

Unit: Feudal Society (Japan) – An examination of a feudal society in history and the socio-political institutions that were part of feudal society

Significant Unit Assessment: Students will complete an oral presentation that adheres to following structure:

  • Group/pair presentation
  • Appropriate eye contact
  • Proper posture
  • Proper voice projection
  • Clarity and accuracy of language (English mechanics and grammar)
  • Must clearly communicate key words, main ideas, and simple conclusions
  • Glossary provided to students by teacher
  • Bibliography in standard MLA format



Unit: East Meets West– A look at Commodore Matthew Perry’s expedition to Japan through the book In the Land of the Shogun

Significant Unit Assessment: Unit Exam: Summarize and respond to questions about a previously unseen text source (preferably including at least one primary source); short answers in complete sentences; short answers in full paragraphs with main idea sentences; response to visual stimulus.


Unit: Digital Stories– An investigation into the causes and effects of the African slave trade using digital media

Significant Unit Assessment: Completed digital story project that adheres to the following structure:

  • Multimedia presentation (i.e. digital/electronic)
  • 5 minutes in length (unless not provided by the format)
  • Rubric provided (to be used in conjunction with assessment criteria)
  • Specified word count
  • Written drafts, storyboards etc. (required)
  • Specified graphic quality/detail
  • Clearly established research parameters (see Research Guidelines)
  • Bibliography in standard MLA format



Unit: World Religions– An introduction to major belief systems throughout the world– Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Field Trip: Places of worship in Tianjin. A mosque, Nanjing Lu Cathedral, Dabeiyuan

Significant Unit Assessment: Students must write a comparative essay that adheres to the following structure:

  • 1000 word research paper
  • Research question
  • Thesis statement (in development: see Research Guidelines)
  • Outline
  • Annotated bibliography
  • Works cited page
  • In text citations
  • Sources – primary and secondary
  • Standard MLA format
  • Drafts recommended
  • Topic arising from relevant history based unit (i.e. Religions)

Semester Exam (Required): In addition to their comparative essay, student must take a semester examination that adheres to the following structure:

  • 120minute exam
  • Summarize and respond to questions about a previously unseen text source
  • Short answers in complete sentences
  • Short answers in full paragraphs with topic sentences
  • Response to visual stimulus (i.e. map, chart, graphic, political cartoons, portraits, etc.)



Geography Skills: Students in eighth grade should continue their geography skills by incorporating geographical data into their general work. Maps should form an important component of the World Religions, East Meets West units or the Digital Stories unit.

 

Assessment Criteria

Grade 6 • Grade 7 • Grade 8 • Grade 9 • Grade 10 (PDFs, 66-70 KB)