Common Planner
K–12 Standards

Grade 8

Other Alabama Social Studies sets

World History to 1500

  • 1.

    Explain how artifacts and other archaeological findings provide evidence of the nature and movement of prehistoric groups of people.8.1

    1. a.

      Identifying the founding of Rome as the basis of the calendar established by Julius Caesar and used in early Western civilization for over a thousand years8.1.a

    2. b.

      Identifying the birth of Christ as the basis of the Gregorian calendar used in the United States since its beginning and in most countries of the world today, signified by B.C. and A.D.8.1.b

    3. c.

      Using vocabulary terms other than B.C. and A.D. to describe time8.1.c

    4. d.

      Identifying terms used to describe characteristics of early societies and family structures8.1.d

  • 2.

    Analyze characteristics of early civilizations in respect to technology, division of labor, government, calendar, and writings.8.2

    1. a.

      Comparing significant features of civilizations that developed in the Tigris-Euphrates, Nile, Indus, and Huang He River Valleys8.2.a

    2. b.

      Identifying on a map locations of cultural hearths of early civilizations8.2.b

  • 3.

    Compare the development of early world religions and philosophies and their key tenets.8.3

    1. a.

      Identifying cultural contributions of early world religions and philosophies8.3.a

  • 4.

    Identify cultural contributions of Classical Greece, including politics, intellectual life, arts, literature, architecture, and science.8.4

  • 5.

    Describe the role of Alexander the Great in the Hellenistic world.8.5

    1. a.

      Defining boundaries of Alexander the Great's empire and its economic impact8.5.a

    2. b.

      Identifying reasons for the separation of Alexander the Great's empire into successor kingdoms8.5.b

    3. c.

      Evaluating major contributions of Hellenistic art, philosophy, science, and political thought8.5.c

  • 6.

    Trace the expansion of the Roman Republic and its transformation into an empire, including key geographic, political, and economic elements.8.6

    1. a.

      Interpreting spatial distributions and patterns of the Roman Republic using geographic tools and technologies8.6.a

  • 7.

    Describe the widespread impact of the Roman Empire.8.7

    1. a.

      Tracing important aspects of the diffusion of Christianity, including its relationship to Judaism, missionary impulse, organizational development, transition from persecution to acceptance in the Roman Empire, and church doctrine8.7.a

    2. b.

      Explaining the role of economics, societal changes, Christianity, political and military problems, external factors, and the size and diversity of the Roman Empire in its decline and fall8.7.b

  • 8.

    Describe the development of a classical civilization in India and China.8.8

    1. a.

      Identifying the effect of monsoons on India8.8.a

    2. b.

      Identifying landforms and climate regions of China8.8.b

  • 9.

    Describe the rise of the Byzantine Empire, its institutions, and its legacy, including the influence of the Emperors Constantine and Justinian and the effect of the Byzantine Empire on art, religion, architecture, and law.8.9

    1. a.

      Identifying factors leading to the establishment of the Eastern Orthodox Church8.9.a

  • 10.

    Trace the development of the early Russian state and the expansion of its trade systems.8.10

  • 11.

    Describe early Islamic civilizations, including the development of religious, social, and political systems.8.11

    1. a.

      Tracing the spread of Islamic ideas through invasion and conquest throughout the Middle East, northern Africa, and western Europe8.11.a

  • 12.

    Describe China's influence on culture, politics, and economics in Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.8.12

  • 13.

    Compare the African civilizations of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai to include geography, religions, slave trade, economic systems, empires, and cultures.8.13

    1. a.

      Tracing the spread of language, religion, and customs from one African civilization to another8.13.a

    2. b.

      Illustrating the impact of trade among Ghana, Mali, and Songhai8.13.b

  • 14.

    Describe key aspects of pre-Columbian cultures in the Americas including the Olmecs, Mayas, Aztecs, Incas, and North American tribes.8.14

    1. a.

      Locating on a map sites of pre-Columbian cultures8.14.a

  • 15.

    Describe military and governmental events that shaped Europe in the early Middle Ages (600-1000 A.D.).8.15

    1. a.

      Describing the role of the early medieval church8.15.a

    2. b.

      Describing the impact of new agricultural methods on manorialism and feudalism8.15.b

  • 16.

    Describe major cultural changes in Western Europe in the High Middle Ages (1000-1300 A.D.).8.16

    1. a.

      Describing changing roles of church and governmental leadership8.16.a

    2. b.

      Comparing political developments in France, England, and the Holy Roman Empire, including the signing of the Magna Carta8.16.b

    3. c.

      Describing the growth of trade and towns resulting in the rise of the middle class8.16.c

  • 17.

    Explain how events and conditions fostered political and economic changes in the late Middle Ages and led to the origins of the Renaissance.8.17

    1. a.

      Identifying changes in the arts, architecture, literature, and science in the late Middle Ages (1300-1400 A.D.)8.17.a

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 8
When were these standards adopted?
2013
Where can I read the official document?
Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies

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