WHAT WE LEARN IN MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES
6th Grade Social Studies (175 Minimum Weekly Minutes)
Ancient
Civilizations
• Traces roots of early
humankind and identifies characteristics
of ancient societies
• Discovers the early middle
eastern civilizations and ancient Mesopotamia,
Egypt, India, China, Israel, and Greece
• Understands the strength
and vastness of the Roman Empire
Geography
• Traces and locates the
migration and expansion of ancient
civilizations
• Explains how geography
affected ancient civilizations
• Identifies the importance
of geography as a contributing factor to the human story
Economics
• Recognizes the importance
of economic, political, religious,
and social structures of ancient civilizations
• Understands the connection
between social organization and
waterways in the success of an economy
7th Grade Social
Studies (225 Minimum Weekly Minutes)
World History
• Analyzes the causes and
effects of vast expansion and disintegration of the Roman
Empire
• Analyzes the geographic,
political, economic, religious, and
social structures of Islam in the Middle Ages, the civilizations of China in the Middle Ages, and the sub-Saharan civilizations
• Compares and contrasts
geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of
Meso-American and Andean civilizations
• Analyzes the origin,
accomplishments, and geographic diffusion of the Renaissance
• Analyzes the historical
development of the Reformation
• Analyzes the historical
developments of the Scientific Revolution and its lasting effects on religious,
political, and cultural institutions
• Analyzes political and
economic changes in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries
8th Grade Social Studies (225 Minimum Weekly Minutes)
American History
• Develops and applies
geography, critical thinking, and research skills
• Interprets and analyzes
information
• Summarizes immediate and
long-term causes and effects of important historical development
• Understands history of
multicultural heritage in the US
• Develops ability to make
generalizations, detects bias, and recognizes fact and opinion
• Knows responsibilities
and rights of US citizenship
• Understands major events
preceding and leading to the Civil War
• Analyzes attempts to
abolish slavery
• Develops an understanding
of American economy (past and present)
• Demonstrates knowledge of
major historical events and their relationship to each other
• Explains central issues
and problems, past and present
• Develops knowledge of
negative influences in our history with respect to racism, discrimination, and
intolerance
• Understands the
importance of Native Americans in our past and recent history
Geography
• Distinguishes various
geographic regions within the United
States and understands the relationship
between human survival and the land
Economics
• Recognizes the
significance of trade between Europe and the Americas
• Studies the economies of
the early colonies
• Understands the
importance of a dependable monetary system in the young United States
Educational Field Trip
• 8th Grade Washington DC Trip - Trip itinerary varies annually. Stops can include Jamestown, Arlington Cemetery, Gettysberg, Mt. Vernon, Monticello, and Washington DC sites. Approximate cost for 2015 is $1600 per student.