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By middle school, your students are starting to discover their places in society. From social media to community resources to economic inequality, sociological issues affect them and their families every day.
Give your students a chance to discuss and learn more about the most relevant social issues through the lens of sociology. Whether you’re planning five-minute bell ringers or long-term research assignments, these sociology questions for 8th grade are sure to get them talking — and writing.
10 Sociology Questions to Use as Journal Writing Prompts
Get class started and pencils moving with a collection of journal writing prompts for middle school that are related to sociology topics. Perfect for a social studies class, language arts, or a dedicated sociology course, these sociology questions for 8th grade will intrigue even your most reluctant writers.
- Is there a connection between an individual’s self-esteem and their place in society?
- What’s the difference between a law and a norm in society?
- Why do cultures develop stereotypes? Do you feel like this is fair?
- What is the biggest source of inequality in the world today?
- What are some of your values? Do you feel like your values are represented in society?
- Should citizens be required to volunteer in their community?
- How does 21st-century society regard mental health? Do you feel like this is enough?
- What’s one thing you would change about American society?
- In your opinion, what is more important in society: the group’s needs or the individual’s needs?
- What groups do you consider yourself to be in? How do they contribute to your sense of identity?
10 Sociology Questions for Class Discussions
Do your middle schoolers come into class with questions on their mind? If so, hosting a class discussion or debate with sociology questions for eighth grade is a great way to meet their interests and exercise their critical thinking skills. Try these discussion questions in class for students to express their opinions.
- What is a bigger problem in society: economic inequality or educational inequality?
- Should students have the same rights and privileges in schools that adults have in society?
- What are examples of non-verbal communication that we use in American culture?
- What is the average teenager’s relationship to technology? How does it affect their relationships?
- Is crime ever beneficial to a society? Why or why not?
- What is an example of a cultural norm in the United States? Do you agree with it?
- Why are sports valuable in a society?
- What’s a teenage issue that doesn’t get enough attention in the media?
- Should powerful people be held to the same standards as everyone else in the community? If so, are there any exceptions?
- What should society value more: art or science? Why?
13 Sociology Questions for 8th Grade Research Papers
Whether you’re planning a final sociological assignment or looking for socially relevant argumentative topics, sociology questions for eighth grade research projects introduce students to writing skills aligned to CCSS in ELA for social studies. Have them choose a topic that interests them, or choose one of these research questions for them to hone important research skills.
- What is the most significant social movement from the last 100 years?
- Is social media ultimately good or bad for society?
- How does education affect the individual experience in society?
- What is the role of music and performing arts in society?
- How do advertisements affect teenagers today?
- What is the biggest ethical issue facing American society today?
- How does urbanization affect a rural society?
- Does the structure of the family unit affect the rest of society?
- Is religion as significant to American society now as it was 50 years ago?
- How can rapid population growth change a society’s dynamics?
- What effects has social media had on politics today?
- How does ageism appear in society?
- What are the effects of lower graduation rates in a community?
Important Sociology Topics for Middle School
Looking for additional ways to bring sociological topics into a middle school social studies class? According to the National Standards for High School Sociology, students in the United States should understand and be able to discuss these important topics:
- Population growth and change
- Family and relationships
- Cultural norms and values
- Methods of inquiry
- Conflict theory
- Social institutions
- Subcultures and countercultures
- Social movements
- Gender and sexuality
- Class inequality, privilege, and power
By introducing your 8th graders to some of these topics, they’ll be prepared to have more in-depth discussions about them in high school.
Connect your curriculum to the community
Sociology is the method we use to understand the social world around us. Isn’t that what our pre-teen students are trying to do every day? That’s why 8th grade sociology resources are an excellent way to build connections between a social studies curriculum and your class’s community. Once they know why society works the way it does, students can start working on making a difference within it.