In Ancient World History, students do an in-depth exploration of ancient world cultures. Students focus on early humans, Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, Greece, Rome, and the Middle Ages. They spend several weeks studying each unit. Sixth grade teachers use a variety of instructional methods including hands-on projects, small group work and research assignments. These teachers use an interdisciplinary approach to teaching history. Art, literature, science, and other subjects are often incorporated into history lessons. The students will use a variety of resources to learn about ancient cultures and will produce several different types of projects.
Seventh grade students study human and physical features of the earth by learning geography through the five theme approach: location, place movement, region, and human interaction with the environment. These themes help students connect geography with history, humanities, art, and other areas of the social sciences. By making students more geographically literate, the teachers hope to encourage better understanding of the different peoples and cultures that make up our world. The units of study center on the continental regions of the world: Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, Antarctica, North America, and South America. Students complete map activities, research projects, and cultural studies for each unit. Major themes of population, resource conservation, and global interdependence are incorporated into the study of the different regions.
Eighth-grade U.S. History introduces students to in-depth historical exploration through research and inquiry. The class covers the time period from the Revolutionary War through the nineteenth century. Students will begin with a brief review of Native American cultures, the Age of Exploration, and European Colonization. The main focus of the first semester will be the American Revolution and the U.S. Constitution. The study of the U. S. Constitution unit will include both historical and current events in its content. Upon completion of the U.S. Constitution unit, students will be required to pass a test about the rights and responsibilities of citizens and the structure and function of government. The second semester will focus on the Westward expansion, reform movements, Civil War and Reconstruction, and the Industrial Revolution.
