AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: American History
IPG: Second Six Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 8
MAJOR CONCEPT #1: Culture
Overarching
Idea
Cultural values and viewpoints influence the framework of historical periods and groups.
Guiding
Questions


Why do values and viewpoints differ across cultures and through time?
What important contributions do various cultural groups make to a society?
MAJOR CONCEPT #2: Rights and Responsibilities
Overarching
Idea
People can learn from the past about rights and responsibilities.

Guiding
Questions

How does knowledge of the past influence the rights and responsibilities of the present and the
future?
How are political rights and responsibilities expressed and transmitted through edicts, decrees,
laws, and statutes?
© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
1
AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: American History
IPG: Second Six Weeks.
GRADE LEVEL: 8
MAJOR CONCEPT #3: Conflict and Cooperation
Overarching Conflict and cooperation promote communication of ideas and sentiments.
Idea
Guiding
Questions



How do instances of conflict and cooperation affect our understanding of the part and present?
How do conflicts begin among diverse groups?
How do diverse groups cooperate in order to rectify situations?
MAJOR CONCEPT #4: Environment
Overarching
Environment determines what adaptations people make.
Idea
Guiding
Questions
 How does the environment impact people’s lives?
 How does the environment’s physical characteristics define where people locate and what they do?
© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
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