Social Studies Grade 6

Sixth grade social studies begins with early man and the development of civilization. Early civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Nubia, Kush, Israel, Greece, Rome, and Byzantine are explored. The SQ3R (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review) strategy is practiced to read and study information in the textbook. To reenact Mesopotamian farming, the building of pyramids, and life in Greece, students use computer programs. Class presentations are power points of previously read materials imbedded with videos of historical events.  A class assembly line of spice production provides an economics lesson using McCormick Corporation’s history to locate spices throughout the world and understand vocabulary such as supply and demand, cost benefits, and opportunity costs. To appreciate the discovery of civilizations and primary and secondary sources, students perform an archeological dig and interpret the items revealed. Using the MSA format, pupils choose a topic from the textbook to research, write a research paper, and prepare a visual presentation. Students summarize a current event bi-weekly.

Social Studies – Grades 7 and 8

7^th grade:

We have all heard the expression, “We live in a global society”, but what does that really mean?  7^th grade is a time when students learn about cultures other than their own – both past history and present life.  If is my hope to instill in the students an appreciation of the world outside their own, by learning about:

People, Places and Cultures in Africa, Asia and the Southwest Pacific

Themes that will be covered are:

•  History

-  Examine the major movements, events and figures that contributed to the development of nations in modern Africa, Asia and Southwest Pacific from ancient civilization to early modern times.

•  Civics and Government

-  Trace the historic development of different forms of government and compare various contemporary governments.

•  Geography

-  Identify and categorize the major geographic characteristics and regions of Africa, Asia, and Southwest Pacific.

-  Name and locate major physical features, countries and major cities.

•  Economics

-  Examine the influence of physical and cultural factors upon the economic systems of Africa, Asia, and Southwest Pacific.

•  Individuals, Society and Culture

-  Examine the role of individuals and groups in society

-  Identify connections among cultures

-  Analyze patterns of change.

8^th grade:

Picking up where they left off in 5^th grade – the colonization of the United States and eventual independence from England, 8^th grade will focus on United States history beginning with a quick review of early history.  Students will then study national development, westward expansion, social reform movements, and the Civil War and Reconstruction.

Focusing on United States History, Growth and Development, we will cover the five academic standards:   History, Civics and Government, Geography, Economics and Individuals, Society and Culture.