6th Grade – World Geography
Sixth grade Social Studies explores the essential question, "What do we do with a difference?" Students begin the year examining the elements of their own culture. The five major world religions are introduced, and students learn about contemporary issues as a way study the world. Throughout the year, students learn and practice reading, writing, critical thinking, and study skills, including identifying main ideas, making comparisons, writing paragraphs, engaging in small and large group discussions, and making presentations.
7th Grade – Civilizations
Seventh grade Social Studies explores the essential question, "What happens when cultures interact?" Students begin the year focusing on their own culture and then study some of the cultures of Asia, Europe, and Central America. There is a focus on the five major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and how people who believe in these religions have interacted with each other. Throughout the year, students learn many skills necessary to help them to research, read and comprehend historical knowledge through a variety of sources. 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
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 their role within society both as a United States citizen and as a citizen of the human race. The year begins by asking students to think about their own identity and how it influences the decisions they make and the viewpoints they hold. Students will then learn about the purpose of government and the foundations of the United States democratic model. This will include studying 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. Students will then begin to explore how they can participate and engage in their own communities whether this be their school, town, state, or country. The year will finish with exploring case studies in civil rights movements particularly the integration of public schools in the 1950s. Students will prepare for their annual trip to Washington, D.C. by exploring the importance and symbolism of many of the sites they will visit on their trip and how these connect to the themes discussed throughout the school year. The goal of the 8th grade civics curriculum will be to give students the tools and knowledge they need to be responsible citizens of a democracy. A special emphasis will be placed on developing a student’s ability to read and comprehend challenging primary source material and write in a persuasive, argumentative style in order to prepare them for a rigorous high school curriculum.