Civics: This year is the first year we are using the new CPS Civics curriculum! Students will be learning all about civic responsibility, how the government works on the local, state, and federal levels and participate in civics through projects. The new Civics curriculum is mandated for two quarters throughout all of CPS 8th grade classrooms.
WWII: Using Facing History and Ourselves, students will investigate why Jewish people had been targeted by the Nazis, how Hitler rose to power, and the atrocities of the Holocaust. We will also look at the United States involvement and major battles of the war with a photo essay project to encapsulate the experience.
Civil Rights Movement: Partnering with Facing History and Ourselves, we will do a deep dive into the Civil Rights Movement spending a significant amount of time on the Little Rock Nine and Reparations Won Curriculum.
Cold War :Right off the heels of WWII, the United States enters the Cold War with the USSR. This unit will span decades as we investigate the Korean War, Vietnam War, Cuban Missile Crisis, Kennedy's Assassination, and the Watergate Scandal.
End of the 20th Century/Current: We will end the year discussing topics from the 80s, 90s, and ultimately end the year discussing the event of 9/11.
