Our curriculum for the year is focused on the geography and history of the Eastern Hemisphere of the world. A major focus is on the development of civilizations and cultures and the interactions of different groups of people. The social sciences are investigated within each topic with the impact of geography on the political, economic, and social aspects of society being a primary focus of most units. The course covers a timespan from prehistory through the 1400s. The NYS K-8 Social Studies Framework guides instruction and NYS Next Generation Literacy Standards are consistently weaved into the curriculum.

Units of Study:

• Neolithic Revolution
• The Early River Valley Civilizations- Mesopotamia and Indus River Valley
• Comparative Religions- Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism
• Classical Civilizations- Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Qin Dynasty
• The Middle Ages
• Interactions across the Eastern Hemisphere- the Mongol Empire. Trade routes
• Current events- will be intermittent throughout the school year

Skills:

• We will work on a variety of skills throughout the school year as we dive into history.
• Using timelines to put events in chronological order
• Identifying and analyzing primary and secondary sources
• Identifying cause/effect relationships
• Comparing and contrasting civilizations
• Map/geography skills
• Writing activities
• Presentation skills
• Debate
• Note Taking
• Research

Our curriculum for the year focuses on the chronological foundation of American History from the settlement of North America through the American Civil War. The development of Colonial America, American Independence, The foundation of the U.S Government, and a Nation Divided are key elements of the 7th grade Social Studies curriculum. The impact of geography on the nation as well as the political, economic, and social trends of the nation are investigated by students throughout each unit of study. Perspective taking and point of view is emphasized within each applicable topic to allow students to develop their critical thinking skills. The NYS K-8 Social Studies Framework guides instruction and NYS Next Generation Literacy Standards are consistently weaved into the curriculum.

Units of Study:

• Native American settlement of North America- Field Trip to the School Forest and Wigwam Building Project
• Colonial America- Colonial Day Learning Celebration (usually held in the Spring)
• American Independence
• Establishment and Application of the U.S Constitution
• Westward Expansion
• Reform Movements in America
• A Nation Divided- The Civil War
• Current events- will be intermittent throughout the year

Skills:

• Working with primary and secondary sources
• Identifying cause/effect relationships
• Comparing and contrasting key individuals/events
• Map/geography skills
• Writing activities
• Presentation skills
• Debate
• Note Taking
• Research
• Critical thinking skills

Our curriculum for the year is American History from the time period of Reconstruction through modern day. Major themes include A Changing Society, Demographic Change as a result of Immigration, the World Wars, Foreign Policy, and Contemporary Issues. The political, economic, and social shifts within the nation are investigated by students within each applicable unit. Critical thinking and inquiry based learning are core components of the class. The NYS K-8 Social Studies Framework guides instruction and NYS Next Generation Literacy Standards are consistently weaved into the curriculum.

Units of Study:

• Reconstruction
• Immigration & Industrialization- Immigration Field Trip to Ellis Island
• American Expansion & Imperialism
• WWI & The Roaring Twenties
• The Great Depression
• WWII
• The Civil Rights Movement
• American Foreign Policy- through modern times
• Current events- will be intermittent throughout the year

Skills:

• Working with primary and secondary sources
• Comparing and contrasting key individuals/events
• Map/geography skills
• Writing activities
• Presentation skills
• Debate
• Note Taking
• Research
• Critical thinking skills