Standardized Test Preparation

TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills)

References: Texas Education Agency : STAAR Released Tests |

Social Studies - Grade 8

Assessment Exam - TEKS Grade 8 Social Studies

History	eTAP Lesson
The student understands traditional historical points of reference in U.S. history through 1877.
Identify the major eras and events in U.S. history through 1877, including colonization, revolution, drafting of the Declaration of Independence, creation and ratification of the Constitution, religious revivals such as the Second Great Awakening, early republic, the Age of Jackson, westward expansion, reform movements, sectionalism, Civil War, and Reconstruction, and describe their causes and effects TX.SS.113.20.1.A	Texas War for Independence Political Parties Historical Documents Immigration Early Politics Early American Law War of 1812 Treaties with American Indian Nations Slavery Manifest Destiny Mexican-American War Development of Education Effects of War Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th) Industrialization Declaration of Independence American Revolution Leaders of the Movement
Apply absolute and relative chronology through the sequencing of significant individuals, events, and time periods TX.SS.113.20.1.B	Texas War for Independence Abraham Lincoln Political Parties Immigration Early American Law War of 1812 Treaties with American Indian Nations Slavery Manifest Destiny Effects of War Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th) Industrialization American Revolution Leaders of the Movement
Explain the significance of the following dates: 1607, founding of Jamestown; 1620, arrival of the Pilgrims and signing of the Mayflower Compact; 1776, adoption of the Declaration of Independence; 1787, writing of the U.S. Constitution; 1803, Louisiana Purchase; and 1861-1865, Civil War TX.SS.113.20.1.C	Historical Documents Immigration Manifest Destiny Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Effects of War Declaration of Independence American Revolution
The student understands the causes of exploration and colonization eras
Identify reasons for European exploration and colonization of North America TX.SS.113.20.2.A	Immigration Government, Religion, and Culture Monroe Doctrine Treaties with American Indian Nations Manifest Destiny Mexican-American War
Compare political, economic, religious, and social reasons for the establishment of the 13 English colonies TX.SS.113.20.2.B	Government, Religion, and Culture
The student understands the foundations of representative government in the United States
Explain the reasons for the growth of representative government and institutions during the colonial period TX.SS.113.20.3.A	Historical Documents Early American Law The Constitutional Convention Declaration of Independence American Revolution
Analyze the importance of the Mayflower Compact, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, and the Virginia House of Burgesses to the growth of representative government TX.SS.113.20.3.B	Historical Documents
Describe how religion and virtue contributed to the growth of representative government in the American colonies TX.SS.113.20.3.C	Government, Religion, and Culture
The student understands significant political and economic issues of the revolutionary era
Analyze causes of the American Revolution, including the Proclamation of 1763, the Intolerable Acts, the Stamp Act, mercantilism, lack of representation in Parliament, and British economic policies following the French and Indian War TX.SS.113.20.4.A	Early Politics Declaration of Independence American Revolution
Explain the roles played by significant individuals during the American Revolution, including Abigail Adams, John Adams, Wentworth Cheswell, Samuel Adams, Mercy Otis Warren, James Armistead, Benjamin Franklin, Bernardo de Gálvez, Crispus Attucks, King George III, Haym Salomon, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, the Marquis de Lafayette, Thomas Paine, and George Washington TX.SS.113.20.4.B	Declaration of Independence American Revolution
Explain the issues surrounding important events of the American Revolution, including declaring independence; writing the Articles of Confederation; fighting the battles of Lexington, Concord, Saratoga, and Yorktown; enduring the winter at Valley Forge; and signing the Treaty of Paris of 1783 TX.SS.113.20.4.C	Declaration of Independence American Revolution
Analyze the issues of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, including the Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise TX.SS.113.20.4.D	Early American Law
Analyze the arguments for and against ratification TX.SS.113.20.4.E	Early Politics
The student understands the challenges confronted by the government and its leaders in the early years of the republic and the Age of Jackson
Describe major domestic problems faced by the leaders of the new republic such as maintaining national security, building a military, creating a stable economic system, setting up the court system, and defining the authority of the central government TX.SS.113.20.5.A	Early American Law
Summarize arguments regarding protective tariffs, taxation, and the banking system TX.SS.113.20.5.B	Industrialization
Explain the origin and development of American political parties TX.SS.113.20.5.C	Political Parties
Explain the causes, important events, and effects of the War of 1812 TX.SS.113.20.5.D	War of 1812
Identify the foreign policies of presidents Washington through Monroe and explain the impact of Washington's Farewell Address and the Monroe Doctrine TX.SS.113.20.5.E	Early Politics Monroe Doctrine
Explain the impact of the election of Andrew Jackson, including expanded suffrage TX.SS.113.20.5.F	States’ Rights Doctrine Political Parties Treaties with American Indian Nations Role of Women
Analyze the reasons for the removal and resettlement of Cherokee Indians during the Jacksonian era, including the Indian Removal Act, Worcester v. Georgia, and the Trail of Tears TX.SS.113.20.5.G	Treaties with American Indian Nations
The student understands westward expansion and its effects on the political, economic, and social development of the nation
Explain how the Northwest Ordinance established principles and procedures for orderly expansion of the United States TX.SS.113.20.6.A	Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Explain the political, economic, and social roots of Manifest Destiny TX.SS.113.20.6.B	Manifest Destiny
Analyze the relationship between the concept of Manifest Destiny and the westward growth of the nation TX.SS.113.20.6.C	Manifest Destiny
Explain the causes and effects of the U.S.-Mexican War and their impact on the United States TX.SS.113.20.6.D	Mexican-American War
Identify areas that were acquired to form the United States, including the Louisiana Purchase TX.SS.113.20.6.E	Treaties with American Indian Nations Manifest Destiny Mexican-American War
The student understands how political, economic, and social factors led to the growth of sectionalism and the Civil War
Analyze the impact of tariff policies on sections of the United States before the Civil War TX.SS.113.20.7.A	States’ Rights Doctrine Political Parties
Compare the effects of political, economic, and social factors on slaves and free blacks TX.SS.113.20.7.B	Slavery Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Ku Klux Klan Freedmen's Bureau Leaders of the Movement
Analyze the impact of slavery on different sections of the United States TX.SS.113.20.7.C	Slavery Leaders of the Movement
Identify the provisions and compare the effects of congressional conflicts and compromises prior to the Civil War, including the roles of John Quincy Adams, John C. Calhoun, Henry Clay, and Daniel Webster TX.SS.113.20.7.D	States’ Rights Doctrine Monroe Doctrine Slavery
The student understands individuals, issues, and events of the Civil War
Explain the roles played by significant individuals during the Civil War, including Jefferson Davis, Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, and Abraham Lincoln, and heroes such as congressional Medal of Honor recipients William Carney and Philip Bazaar TX.SS.113.20.8.A	States’ Rights Doctrine Abraham Lincoln Effects of War Goals of Reconstruction
Explain the causes of the Civil War, including sectionalism, states' rights, and slavery, and significant events of the Civil War, including the firing on Fort Sumter; the battles of Antietam, Gettysburg, and Vicksburg; the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation; Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House; and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln TX.SS.113.20.8.B	States’ Rights Doctrine Abraham Lincoln Effects of War Leaders of the Movement
Analyze Abraham Lincoln's ideas about liberty, equality, union, and government as contained in his first and second inaugural addresses and the Gettysburg Address and contrast them with the ideas contained in Jefferson Davis's inaugural address TX.SS.113.20.8.C	Abraham Lincoln Leaders of the Movement
The student understands the effects of Reconstruction on the political, economic, and social life of the nation
Evaluate legislative reform programs of the Radical Reconstruction Congress and reconstructed state governments TX.SS.113.20.9.A	Goals of Reconstruction
Evaluate the impact of the election of Hiram Rhodes Revels TX.SS.113.20.9.B
Explain the economic, political, and social problems during Reconstruction and evaluate their impact on different groups TX.SS.113.20.9.C	Freedmen's Bureau Goals of Reconstruction
Identify the effects of legislative acts such as the Homestead Act, the Dawes Act, and the Morrill Act TX.SS.113.20.9.D	Immigration
Geography	eTAP Lesson
The student understands the location and characteristics of places and regions of the United States, past and present
Locate places and regions of importance in the United States during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries TX.SS.113.20.10.A
Compare places and regions of the United States in terms of physical and human characteristics TX.SS.113.20.10.B
Analyze the effects of physical and human geographic factors on major historical and contemporary events in the United States TX.SS.113.20.10.C	Peoples of North America
The student understands the physical characteristics of North America and how humans adapted to and modified the environment through the mid-19th century
Analyze how physical characteristics of the environment influenced population distribution, settlement patterns, and economic activities in the United States during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries TX.SS.113.20.11.A	Immigration
Describe the positive and negative consequences of human modification of the physical environment of the United States TX.SS.113.20.11.B
Describe how different immigrant groups interacted with the environment in the United States during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries TX.SS.113.20.11.C	Immigration
Economics	eTAP Lesson
The student understands why various sections of the United States developed different patterns of economic activity
Identify economic differences among different regions of the United States TX.SS.113.20.12.A	Working Conditions and Laissez-Faire Policies
Explain reasons for the development of the plantation system, the transatlantic slave trade, and the spread of slavery TX.SS.113.20.12.B	Slavery Industrialization Leaders of the Movement
Explain the reasons for the increase in factories and urbanization TX.SS.113.20.12.C	Working Conditions and Laissez-Faire Policies
Analyze the causes and effects of economic differences among different regions of the United States at selected times in U.S. history TX.SS.113.20.12.D	Working Conditions and Laissez-Faire Policies
The student understands how various economic forces resulted in the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century
Analyze the War of 1812 as a cause of economic changes in the nation TX.SS.113.20.13.A	War of 1812
Identify the economic factors that brought about rapid industrialization and urbanization TX.SS.113.20.13.B	Working Conditions and Laissez-Faire Policies
The student understands the origins and development of the free enterprise system in the United States
Explain why a free enterprise system of economics developed in the new nation, including minimal government intrusion, taxation, and property rights TX.SS.113.20.14.A	Political Parties Early American Law American Revolution
Describe the characteristics and the benefits of the U.S. free enterprise system during the 18th and 19th centuries TX.SS.113.20.14.B	Industrialization
Government	eTAP Lesson
The student understands the American beliefs and principles reflected in the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and other important historic documents
Identify the influence of ideas from historic documents, including the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, the Mayflower Compact, the Federalist Papers, and selected Anti-Federalist writings, on the U.S. system of government TX.SS.113.20.15.A	Historical Documents
Summarize the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation TX.SS.113.20.15.B	Early American Law
Identify colonial grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence and explain how those grievances were addressed in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights TX.SS.113.20.15.C	Historical Documents Early Politics Declaration of Independence
Analyze how the U.S. Constitution reflects the principles of limited government, republicanism, checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, and individual rights TX.SS.113.20.15.D	Early American Law Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th)
The student understands the process of changing the U.S. Constitution and the impact of amendments on American society
Summarize the purposes for and process of amending the U.S. Constitution TX.SS.113.20.16.A	Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th)
Describe the impact of 19th-century amendments, including the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments, on life in the United States TX.SS.113.20.16.B	Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th)
The student understands the dynamic nature of the powers of the national government and state governments in a federal system
Analyze the arguments of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, including those of Alexander Hamilton, Patrick Henry, James Madison, and George Mason TX.SS.113.20.17.A	Political Parties
Explain constitutional issues arising over the issue of states' rights, including the Nullification Crisis and the Civil War TX.SS.113.20.17.B	States’ Rights Doctrine
The student understands the impact of landmark Supreme Court cases
Identify the origin of judicial review and analyze examples of congressional and presidential responses TX.SS.113.20.18.A
Summarize the issues, decisions, and significance of landmark Supreme Court cases, including Marbury v. Madison, McCulloch v. Maryland, and Gibbons v. Ogden TX.SS.113.20.18.B
Evaluate the impact of selected landmark Supreme Court decisions, including Dred Scott v. Sandford, on life in the United States TX.SS.113.20.18.C	Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th)
Citizenship	eTAP Lesson
The student understands the rights and responsibilities of citizens of the United States
Define and give examples of unalienable rights TX.SS.113.20.19.A	Declaration of Independence
Summarize rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights TX.SS.113.20.19.B
Explain the importance of personal responsibilities, including accepting responsibility for one's behavior and supporting one's family TX.SS.113.20.19.C
Identify examples of responsible citizenship, including obeying rules and laws, staying informed on public issues, voting, and serving on juries TX.SS.113.20.19.D	Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th)
Summarize the criteria and explain the process for becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States TX.SS.113.20.19.E	Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th)
Explain how the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens reflect our national identity. TX.SS.113.20.19.F
The student understands the importance of voluntary individual participation in the democratic process
Explain the role of significant individuals such as Thomas Hooker, Charles de Montesquieu, John Locke, William Blackstone, and William Penn in the development of self-government in colonial America TX.SS.113.20.20.A	Government, Religion, and Culture Declaration of Independence Middle Colonies
Evaluate the contributions of the Founding Fathers as models of civic virtue TX.SS.113.20.20.B	Early Politics Declaration of Independence American Revolution
Analyze reasons for and the impact of selected examples of civil disobedience in U.S. history such as the Boston Tea Party and Henry David Thoreau's refusal to pay a tax TX.SS.113.20.20.C	American Revolution
The student understands the importance of the expression of different points of view in a constitutional republic
Identify different points of view of political parties and interest groups on important historical and contemporary issues TX.SS.113.20.21.A	Political Parties Leaders of the Movement
Describe the importance of free speech and press in a constitutional republic TX.SS.113.20.21.B	Free Press Political Parties
Summarize a historical event in which compromise resulted in a peaceful resolution TX.SS.113.20.21.C	The Constitutional Convention
The student understands the importance of effective leadership in a constitutional republic
Analyze the leadership qualities of elected and appointed leaders of the United States such as George Washington, John Marshall, and Abraham Lincoln TX.SS.113.20.22.A	Abraham Lincoln Political Parties Early Politics
Describe the contributions of significant political, social, and military leaders of the United States such as Frederick Douglass, John Paul Jones, James Monroe, Stonewall Jackson, Susan B. Anthony, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton TX.SS.113.20.22.B	Manifest Destiny Effects of War The War Moves West and South Leaders of the Movement
Culture	eTAP Lesson
The student understands the relationships between and among people from various groups, including racial, ethnic, and religious groups, during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries
Identify selected racial, ethnic, and religious groups that settled in the United States and explain their reasons for immigration TX.SS.113.20.23.A	Immigration
Explain the relationship between urbanization and conflicts resulting from differences in religion, social class, and political beliefs TX.SS.113.20.23.B	Working Conditions and Laissez-Faire Policies Industrialization
Identify ways conflicts between people from various racial, ethnic, and religious groups were resolved TX.SS.113.20.23.C	Free Press Immigration Government, Religion, and Culture Treaties with American Indian Nations Freedmen's Bureau Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th)
Analyze the contributions of people of various racial, ethnic, and religious groups to our national identity TX.SS.113.20.23.D	Immigration
Identify the political, social, and economic contributions of women to American society TX.SS.113.20.23.E	Role of Women
The student understands the major reform movements of the 19th century
Describe the historical development of the abolitionist movement TX.SS.113.20.24.A	Development of Education Freedmen's Bureau Leaders of the Movement
Evaluate the impact of reform movements, including educational reform, temperance, the women's rights movement, prison reform, abolition, the labor reform movement, and care of the disabled TX.SS.113.20.24.B	Working Conditions and Laissez-Faire Policies Freedmen's Bureau Grangerism and Populism
The student understands the impact of religion on the American way of life
Trace the development of religious freedom in the United States TX.SS.113.20.25.A	Government, Religion, and Culture
Describe religious motivation for immigration and influence on social movements, including the impact of the first and second Great Awakenings TX.SS.113.20.25.B	Immigration Government, Religion, and Culture American Revolution
Analyze the impact of the First Amendment guarantees of religious freedom on the American way of life TX.SS.113.20.25.C	Government, Religion, and Culture
The student understands the relationship between the arts and the times during which they were created
Describe developments in art, music, and literature that are unique to American culture such as the Hudson River School artists, John James Audubon, "Battle Hymn of the Republic," transcendentalism, and other cultural activities in the history of the United States TX.SS.113.20.26.A	Traditions in Art, Music & Literature
Identify examples of American art, music, and literature that reflect society in different eras TX.SS.113.20.26.B	Traditions in Art, Music & Literature
Analyze the relationship between fine arts and continuity and change in the American way of life TX.SS.113.20.26.C	Traditions in Art, Music & Literature
Science, technology, and society	eTAP Lesson
The student understands the impact of science and technology on the economic development of the United States
Explain the effects of technological and scientific innovations such as the steamboat, the cotton gin, and interchangeable parts TX.SS.113.20.27.A	Grangerism and Populism Inventions
Analyze the impact of transportation and communication systems on the growth, development, and urbanization of the United States TX.SS.113.20.27.B	Inventions Industrialization
Analyze how technological innovations changed the way goods were manufactured and marketed, nationally and internationally TX.SS.113.20.27.C	Inventions
Explain how technological innovations brought about economic growth such as how the factory system contributed to rapid industrialization and the Transcontinental Railroad led to the opening of the west TX.SS.113.20.27.D	Inventions
The student understands the impact of scientific discoveries and technological innovations on daily life in the United States
Compare the effects of scientific discoveries and technological innovations that have influenced daily life in different periods in U.S. history TX.SS.113.20.28.A	Inventions
Identify examples of how industrialization changed life in the United States TX.SS.113.20.28.B	Inventions Industrialization
Social studies skills	eTAP Lesson
The student applies critical-thinking skills to organize and use information acquired through established research methodologies from a variety of valid sources, including electronic technology
Differentiate between, locate, and use valid primary and secondary sources such as computer software, databases, media and news services, biographies, interviews, and artifacts to acquire information about the United States TX.SS.113.20.29.A	Fictional and Autobiographical Narratives Databases & Spreadsheets
Analyze information by sequencing, categorizing, identifying cause-and-effect relationships, comparing, contrasting, finding the main idea, summarizing, making generalizations and predictions, and drawing inferences and conclusions TX.SS.113.20.29.B	Note-taking, Outlining & Summarizing Research Reports
Organize and interpret information from outlines, reports, databases, and visuals, including graphs, charts, timelines, and maps TX.SS.113.20.29.C	Note-taking, Outlining & Summarizing
Identify points of view from the historical context surrounding an event and the frame of reference which influenced the participants TX.SS.113.20.29.D	Relevance of Setting
Support a point of view on a social studies issue or event TX.SS.113.20.29.E	Statements & Claims
Identify bias in written, oral, and visual material TX.SS.113.20.29.F
Evaluate the validity of a source based on language, corroboration with other sources, and information about the author TX.SS.113.20.29.G
Use appropriate mathematical skills to interpret social studies information such as maps and graphs TX.SS.113.20.29.H	Methods of Collecting, Representing, & Displaying Data
Create thematic maps, graphs, charts, models, and databases representing various aspects of the United States TX.SS.113.20.29.I	Methods of Collecting, Representing, & Displaying Data
Pose and answer questions about geographic distributions and patterns shown on maps, graphs, charts, models, and databases TX.SS.113.20.29.J	Databases & Spreadsheets Methods of Collecting, Representing, & Displaying Data
The student communicates in written, oral, and visual forms
Use social studies terminology correctly TX.SS.113.20.30.A
Use standard grammar, spelling, sentence structure, punctuation, and proper citation of sources TX.SS.113.20.30.B	Mechanics of Writing
Transfer information from one medium to another, including written to visual and statistical to written or visual, using computer software as appropriate TX.SS.113.20.30.C	Databases & Spreadsheets
Create written, oral, and visual presentations of social studies information TX.SS.113.20.30.D	Deliver Research Presentations Deliver Oral Summaries of Articles and Books Formal Presentations Prepare a Speech Outline
The student uses problem-solving and decision-making skills, working independently and with others, in a variety of settings
Use a problem-solving process to identify a problem, gather information, list and consider options, consider advantages and disadvantages, choose and implement a solution, and evaluate the effectiveness of the solution TX.SS.113.20.31.A
Use a decision-making process to identify a situation that requires a decision, gather information, identify options, predict consequences, and take action to implement a decision TX.SS.113.20.31.B