Curriculum
6th Grade – Civilizations I
Course Description
Students will begin the year by exploring timelines and prehistory. As the year progresses, they will study the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley and conclude with an exploration of world religions. Throughout the course, students will develop essential academic skills such as identifying cause and effect, sequencing events, drawing inferences, and recognizing fact, opinion, and bias. They will also learn how to analyze primary and secondary sources and practice comparing and contrasting different pieces of information. These skills will be reinforced through a variety of engaging, differentiated activities designed to support all learning styles. By the end of the year, students will be well on their way to becoming independent thinkers and responsible global citizens, ready to engage with the world around them and apply critical thinking skills in both academic and real-world settings.
7th Grade – Civilizations II
Course Description
Seventh grade Social Studies explores major civilizations from around the globe that existed long before our own. The units of study, civilizations, geographic areas, and time periods that we focus on include ancient China, Greece, Rome, Sub-Saharan Africa, medieval times, the Renaissance, the Aztec, and the Inca. Throughout the year, students learn many skills necessary to help them to research, read, and comprehend historical knowledge through a variety of sources, as well as formulate historical arguments using evidence. They also develop the skills necessary to present that information in a variety of formats, such as a written essay, oral and visual presentation, classroom debate, and small and large group discussions.
8th Grade – Civics
Course Description
Eighth grade explores the essential question, "What does it mean to be a responsible citizen?" Over the course of the year, students will come to understand the foundations of U.S. Democracy, how and why it has developed over time, and the role individuals have in maintaining a healthy democracy. Curriculum Units will include the study of the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Included in this study will be a brief overview of some key events in United States history and United States geography and we will keep up to date by studying various current events issues. Students will learn about the importance and symbolism of many monuments and sites in Washington, D.C. and how these connect to the themes discussed throughout the school year. As a final project, students will be participating in a civics action project where they begin to explore how they can participate and engage in their own communities whether this be their school, town, state, or country.