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Social Studies Introduction |
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Middle school Social Studies have a strong grounding in history, but what students will leave these classes with is much greater than knowledge of historical fact. Throughout their years of study, students will encounter the past through the actual voices, writings and thoughts of historical figures through primary source documents. This approach allows students, rather than textbook editors, to assess and evaluate historical events and their relevancy to today's world. Furthermore, students' work will be focused around inquiry and the skills of critical thinking, communication, and personal responsibility. Students will leave middle school not just having memorized names and dates, but wielding the analytical and communication skills to put this knowledge to use in dealing with the world as they find it. |
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Description: What is history? Students in grade six will explore the historical discipline formally for the first time through inquiry and asking questions both of the past, and of themselves. Students will also explore the genesis of culture and formal society around the world. In sixth grade, the regions of Europe, North America, and South & Central America will be studied. Through encounters with this rich tapestry of the past, students will begin to use the basic tools of geography, sociology and history to understand and question the values, beliefs and traditions of the past and present. |
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Description: The Ancient World Drawing on traditions from around the world, students will explore the unique combination of people, beliefs, environments, and economic and historical factors that influenced early societies in Africa, the Americas and Asia. They will also spend time looking at the equally important ways societies begin to unravel at the seams, and eventually pave the way for renewed change. Woven throughout the year's study of societies in transition will be the study of world environmental and climatic regions, and treatment of indigenous peoples around the world |
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Regional focus: Asia This 8th grade Social Studies course will cover selected aspects of the history, culture and geography of Asia with the purpose of providing an opportunity to understand its past in order to permit a clearer understanding of its current and future state. There is an emphasis on the East Asia due to our location in China and since it is a major economic and political focal point in the modern world. Emphasis is placed on the development of critical thinking (analysis and interpretation), communication and primary source evaluation skills. |
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Curriculum 