History & Social Studies · K–8

8th grade history curriculum: every topic, in teaching order

All 8 topics in 8th grade history, in teaching order, each with the standard it addresses. Free printable sample, and 960 questions in the full workbook.

8 topics960 questions214 printed pagesAges 13–14

What an 8th grade student covers in History & Social Studies

In teaching order. Each line is one topic, its one-line summary, and the standard it addresses.

  1. The road to the American RevolutionExplain the multiple causes, from the French and Indian War to new taxes and protests, that led to the RevolutionHistory (D2.His.14.6-8)
  2. The ideas of the Declaration of IndependenceAnalyze natural rights, consent of the governed and the right to alter government, and how the ideas influenced later AmericansCivics (D2.Civ.8.6-8)
  3. The Constitution: three branches, checks and balancesExplain the powers and limits of Congress, the President and the courts, and how federalism divides powerCivics (D2.Civ.4.6-8)
  4. The Bill of Rights and the roles of citizensExplain key rights in the first ten amendments and the roles citizens play as voters, jurors and petitionersCivics (D2.Civ.2.6-8)
  5. Westward expansion and its many perspectivesAnalyze how land, rivers and trails shaped westward movement and how it affected settlers, Native nations and MexicoGeography (D2.Geo.8.6-8)
  6. Causes of the Civil WarEvaluate the relative influence of slavery, its expansion, sectional economies and political compromises in causing the Civil WarHistory (D2.His.15.6-8)
  7. Reconstruction: change and continuityClassify the changes brought by the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments and the continuities that limited them after 1877History (D2.His.2.6-8)
  8. Abolitionists and the Underground RailroadExplain the historical significance of abolitionists, the Underground Railroad, Frederick Douglass and Harriet TubmanHistory (D2.His.3.6-8)

Each topic names the standard it addresses. That alignment is UpOnly Learning's own reading of the published standards; the people who own those standards do not review or endorse what we publish, and standards change.

What one lesson contains

Every topic in every subject follows the same five steps, then an answer key. Nothing changes between subjects, so a student always knows what comes next.

  1. Quick CheckQuestions before you teach, to show what the student already knows. A high score means you can move faster.
  2. Learn ItKey words, step-by-step teaching with lines you can read aloud, worked examples, and the mistakes to watch for.
  3. We Do It TogetherQuestions you work through side by side. The answer and the reason it is the answer are printed right after each question.
  4. You TryThe student works alone. Do a page a day, or as many as the student needs.
  5. Show What You KnowNew questions at the end. Compare the score with the Quick Check to see the change.
  6. Answer KeyEvery question has its answer and a short explanation, at the end of each topic, so a student can work without peeking.

What is in the printable workbook

8 topics, 960 questions and 214 printed pages, with the answer key included.

$19.99 as a PDF you print at home, as many copies as you need for your own household.

Workbook storeSee the whole curriculum

Start with the free sample

One full topic — The road to the American Revolution — as a printable PDF. No payment.

Download the free sample (PDF)

Every grade of History & Social Studies

Every subject in 8th grade

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Questions parents ask

How many topics are in 8th grade History & Social Studies?

8. They are listed above in teaching order, each with its one-line summary and the standard it addresses.

What does one lesson look like?

Five steps — Quick Check, Learn It, We Do It Together, You Try, Show What You Know — and then an answer key with a short explanation for every question.

Is the sample really free?

Yes. One full topic — The road to the American Revolution — as a printable PDF, with the answer key. No payment and no card.

Do you publish grades above 8?

Not yet. Kindergarten through 8th grade now, high school coming soon. We announce each grade when it is ready.