While all the middle grades help to prepare kids for the challenges that await them in high school, the 8th grade is where the rubber meets the road. It's known as the launchpad year because it's the last stop on your child's journey to secondary education. As a parent, you want to make sure they are prepared for the academic rigor ahead of them, but you also want your child to be engaged in their learning.
But there's no need to worry. With the guidance provided here, you'll be able to choose an 8th grade homeschool social studies curriculum that checks all the boxes. Below, we'll cover the differences between learning social studies in school and at home, the topics typically covered, and the types of curricula available. We'll also provide a step-by-step guide to implementing this curriculum in your home and outline common approaches parents use.
Overview: 8th Grade Social Studies Curricula for Homeschool Learners
By the time kids are 13 or 14, their brains have developed to the point that they can think beyond the immediate and concrete (Piaget 161). Therefore, the best 8th grade homeschool social studies curriculum will be one with a strong focus on building your child's abstract thinking muscles. Kids need to analyze primary sources, recognize bias, and go beyond knowing facts about government to understanding how to engage productively in civic life.
Learning history or social studies at home versus in a school setting
Social studies looks a lot different at home than it does in a traditional classroom. There are four major differences.
- Pacing: The curriculum in school is governed by the state-mandated scope and sequence. But when learning at home, if your child is fascinated by the steam engine, you can provide a deep dive into the economic, social, and ethical ramifications of it and other inventions.
- Sources: Textbooks are "secondary sources" often used in traditional classrooms. But at home, a child has the time to read and analyze the actual Declaration of Independence rather than reading a summary of its main points (Wineburg 63).
- Socialization: In school, kids socialize "horizontally," meaning with their peers. At home, the socialization is more "vertical" since kids discuss topics with their parents and view museum exhibits with siblings of different ages.
- Use of time: A typical social studies class in school lasts 45-60 minutes five days a week, but instructional time often includes administrative tasks. At home, a strong social studies lesson might take only 30-45 minutes of focused work.
Topics Covered in 8th Grade Social Studies Curricula for Homeschool Learners
U.S. History (Colonial Times to Reconstruction)
This unit typically covers the Revolutionary Era with a deep dive into the U.S. Constitution and the structure of government. Westward expansion, including the Louisiana Purchase and the Trail of Tears, is covered along with the concept of Manifest Destiny. The unit usually culminates in analyzing the root causes of the Civil War and the complexity of Reconstruction.
Government and Civics
This unit covers the judicial system, especially how the Supreme Court works and some of its landmark cases. It covers the spectrum of political ideologies and the two-party system in the U.S. Skills in media literacy, like identifying bias, and basic economic knowledge are woven in.
World History (1850-Present)
This unit covers the modern era and includes the Industrial Revolution, the two world wars, the Cold War, and modern global issues, like human rights and the impact of digital technologies.
Human Geography
Moving beyond the maps of physical geography, this unit focuses on society and culture. It covers the reasons people migrate, the management and distribution of natural resources, and how trade and technology spread culture across borders (NCSS).
Types of 8th Grade Homeschool Social Studies Curricula
Essentialist
The philosophy behind this type of traditional curriculum is the belief that there is a specific set of facts that every 8th grader needs to master in order to be a culturally literate, informed member of society. This approach is highly structured, and the content is covered chronologically.
Classical
This approach views learning in three stages, called the Trivium. History is taught through a chronological cycle covering four time periods: Ancient, Medieval/Renaissance, Late Renaissance/Early Modern, and Modern. The focus is on analyzing primary sources, critical thinking, and exposure to the figures and events of classical history.
Literature-based
Known as the "Living Books" approach, this curriculum replaces textbooks with narrative stories that read like novels. A common assignment is to have kids "narrate" orally and in writing to demonstrate mastery of the content (MacAuley 118-125).
Inquiry-based
This approach is rooted in the "C3 Framework" (College, Career, and Civic Life). Instead of treating social studies as preparation to become a historian, this curriculum encourages kids to investigate rather than just memorize.
Social justice
This type of curriculum views history through the lens of power, equity, and social change. This approach often highlights the "untold stories" of marginalized groups (Westheimer and Kahne 242).
Global citizenship
This approach moves away from a focus on one's own nation to look at history through global interconnections. The goal is to foster a sense of belonging to a broad human community and understand how global systems work across borders (UNESCO 14).
Online or digital curricula
This approach delivers social studies instruction through web-based platforms that combine readings, videos, interactive activities, and assessments. Lessons are typically pre-sequenced and self-paced, which can appeal to families looking for structure with less hands-on planning.
What to Consider Before Choosing an 8th Grade Homeschool Social Studies Curriculum
State requirements
You'll want to make sure that any 8th grade curriculum meets the legal requirements for advancing on to high school. Check out Outschool's information on homeschool laws in each state to make sure you don't have any surprises when it comes time to enroll in high school.
Worldview
Some parents homeschool to provide their child with greater flexibility, while others find it necessary in order to support a religious, social, or political perspective. There are both religious and secular curriculum options for 8th grade social studies.
Format
Give some thought to how you'd like a curriculum to be organized. If your child does well learning independently and you prefer minimal preparation time, then a comprehensive textbook program or video platform may be the way to go.
Rigor
Just because a curriculum covers all the necessary topics doesn't mean that it's appropriately rigorous. For the "launch" to high school, this curriculum needs to include primary source analysis, present multiple perspectives on a single event, and promote research outside of the provided text (NCSS).
Cost
Naturally, the price tag is a huge factor. Literature-based programs could cost a few hundred dollars, with textbook bundles coming in a little under that level. Online platforms may have monthly subscription fees, and unit studies can cost anywhere from $25-$75 per workbook.
How to Plan an 8th Grade Homeschool Social Studies Curriculum
Define your major outcomes
While it's important to learn about the three branches of government and 20th-century history, the most important things your child needs to learn in preparation for high school are skills involved in research, debate, and citizenship.
Choose your delivery method
There are several types of social studies curricula available. Use the guidance provided in the "what to consider" section to determine which approach best meets your key criteria.
Outline your scope and sequence
Consider planning what to cover by month while keeping your major outcomes in mind.
- September: The Constitution
- October: Westward Expansion
- November/December: The Causes of the Civil War
- January: The Industrial Revolution
- February/March: World War I and II
- April/May: Contemporary American History
Also, create a question for each unit that will prompt analytical inquiry. For instance, when covering the Constitution, try using a question like, "Was this document a model of unity or compromise?"
Integrate writing
Within each unit, assign a piece of writing that not only calls on your child to think critically but also meets the needs of 8th grade writing instruction. At this stage, writing summaries is no longer adequate. They need to write in ways that promote critical thinking. For instance, when studying the American Revolution, have your child write an expository essay that compares and contrasts the British and American perspectives of the Battle of Saratoga.
What Teaching 8th Grade History or Social Studies Can Look Like at Home
Teaching social studies at home provides opportunities that can't be replicated in a traditional school setting. At home, the kitchen table can become a center for interesting debates, and family outings to different parts of your city can become great ways to reinforce history content.
- Weekly rhythm: Consider introducing a topic on Monday by watching a documentary or reading a couple of chapters in a book together. On Tuesday, take a deeper dive by having your child analyze a map or a primary source. On Wednesday, ask your child to engage with the content creatively. On Thursday, have a Socratic discussion. Friday could be a great day for a field trip to a local museum.
- Preparation time: How much time you need depends on the type of curriculum you choose. If you go for the all-in-one textbook set, you probably only need 15-30 minutes of prep time each week. However, if you go with a literature-based or unit study approach, you'll probably need 1-2 hours each week.
- Active learning: Make assignments that feel less like traditional school and more like detective work! For instance, use a long roll of paper or a digital program to create an interactive timeline that your child adds to throughout the year.
Popular Homeschool Social Studies Curricula for 8th Graders
Outschool's online curricula and classes
Outschool offers a vast array of 8th grade social studies classes for homeschool. You can find whole-year classes that cover everything and culminate in a grade, short-term classes on specific skills or topics, and even one-on-one tutoring sessions. The world of 8th grade social studies comes alive for kids with offerings like Voices of Conflict and Change, Black History from a Decolonized Perspective, True and Terrible Dark History, and the Current Events Discussion Club.
Textbook-based
This "all-in-one" boxed curriculum aims to reproduce the traditional school experience at home. It's highly structured, which ensures that every state standard is covered. This approach requires the least amount of preparation for the parent, but like all complete packages, it usually has a high price tag.
Unit studies
This type of curriculum provides an in-depth study of a single topic and integrates multiple subjects around one theme. For instance, if your child is interested in the concept of "revolution," you might spend over a month comparing and contrasting the American Revolution with the Industrial Revolution.
Project-based learning
Project-based learning can start with a compelling question, like "To what extent was the Civil Rights Movement a 'Southern' issue versus a national struggle?" Then your child spends multiple weeks doing research to come up with an answer they can support and demonstrate through some final product.
Frequently Asked Questions: 8th Grade Homeschool Social Studies Curricula
How many hours a week should an 8th grader spend on social studies?
A standard 8th grade social studies credit usually requires 120-150 hours per year, which means 45-60 minutes of work four or five days per week. Remember that the one-on-one efficiency of homeschooling means that kids generally need less time at home to hit their learning targets than they would in school.
Can an 8th grader earn high school credit for social studies at home?
While this is more common in math with Algebra I and science with Biology, it is possible for your child to earn high school credit for 8th grade social studies if certain criteria are met. Most states use the Carnegie Unit for high school credits, so one history credit is equivalent to about 120-180 hours in a year. Check out your state's regulations regarding high school credit to make sure your child's program passes muster.
Ready to Launch
8th grade social studies prepares your child for both the academic demands of high school and active engagement as informed citizens well beyond. And homeschooling provides numerous opportunities to develop critical thinking skills while making history come alive in ways that aren't possible in a traditional classroom setting.
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