This Manitoba (Canada) curriculum guide for eighth grade social studies students contains suggested teaching strategies and learning activities in four units covering: (1) life during prehistoric and early historic times; (2) ancient civilizations; (3) life in early modern Europe; and (4) life in the modern world. Each unit includes an overview, suggested topics, discussion questions, objectives, and activities. In Unit 1 the topics include prehistoric life and life in the Nile and Mesopotamia River Valleys, while Unit 2 teaches about ancient Greece and Rome, the Mayan, Incan, and Aztec civilizations, and ancient African, Indian, and Chinese civilizations. Life in a feudal society, in the Renaissance Era and in the Reformation Era are covered in Unit 3. In Unit 4, life is presented in three societies: western industrial, contemporary communist, and contemporary developing nations. The appendix contains supplementary resources for Unit 4. An annotated teacher and student resource list for all four units, outline maps, and black and white illustrations complete the guide. (DJC)