• Grade Level: 6 - World Geography (Western Hemisphere)

    6th grade Social Studies focuses on the areas of physical geography, history, government, culture, economics and current events of the western hemisphere. Students complete a wide variety of activities that include the use of interactive technology, maps, projects, discussions, current events, and investigative readings.  Our goal is to raise awareness of a variety of cultures, and countries while becoming an informed citizen of a global community. 

    Main Themes/Units

    Introduction to Geography - Geographic Thinking​, Maps, Human Geography, Physical Geography 

    Europe - Physical Geography, Ancient Greece, Rome, Middle Ages, Renaissance and Emerging Europe 

    Caribbean and Central America - Physical Geography, Maya, Impacts of European exploration and colonization, independence movements and modern-day economic challenges

    Mexico - Physical Geography, Aztec empire, Impacts of Spanish colonization, Independence movements and modern-day Mexico

    South America - Physical Geography, Inca, Impacts of European exploration and colonization and Modern-day challenges in Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Chile and Argentina

     

    Primary Text(s)

    textbook cover image
    National Geographic World Cultures and Geography
    Copyright 2013 National Geographic Learning, Cengage Learning. 

     

    Supplemental/Secondary Text(s)

    National Geographic Global issues - Copyright 2014 National Geographic Learning, Cengage Learning.

    Nystrom World Atlas - Copyright 2009, Nystrom World Atlas

    The DBQ Project - Copyright 2013, The DBQ Project 

     

    Websites/Software Links

    Junior Scholastic Magazine

    Sheppard Software Maps

    CNN10 Student News

     

    Grade Level: 7 - World Geography (Eastern Hemisphere)

    7th grade social studies focuses on the areas of physical geography, history, government, culture, economics and current events of the Eastern hemisphere. Students complete a wide variety of activities that include the use of interactive technology, maps, projects, discussions, current events, and investigative readings.  Our goal is to raise awareness of a variety of cultures and countries while becoming an informed citizen of a global community.

    Main Themes/Units


    Introduction to Geography - Geographic Thinking​, Maps, Human Geography, Physical Geography. 

    Russia - Physical Geography, Natural Resources, Russian Czars, Communist Revolution, Lenin and Stalin and Modern Day Russia  

    Southwest Asia and North Africa - Physical Geography, Comparative study of the (3) monotheistic religions, Natural Resources and modern-day conflicts.

    Sub-Saharan Africa - Physical Geography, Natural Resources, Ancient Kingdoms (Ghana and Songhai), Impacts of European colonization, Slave trade, Apartheid in South Africa, Economic challenges. 

    South Asia - Physical Geography, Natural Resources, Impacts of European colonization, Gandhi and Indian Independence, Population growth

    East Asia - Physical Geography, Natural Resources, Impacts of European Colonization, Mao and the Communist revolution, Comparing North and South Korea, Economic Challenges, Population growth. 

     

    textbook cover


    Primary Text(s)


    National Geographic World Cultures and Geography
    Copyright 2013 National Geographic Learning, Cengage Learning. 


    Supplemental/Secondary Text(s)

    National Geographic Global issues - Copyright 2014 National Geographic Learning, Cengage Learning.

    Nystrom World Atlas - Copyright 2009, Nystrom World Atlas

    The DBQ Project - Copyright 2013, The DBQ Project 






    Websites/Software Links

    Junior Scholastic Magazine

    Sheppard Software Maps

    CNN10 Student News

     

    Grade Level: 7 - Financial Literacy

    Financial Literacy Units 4-6:  Credit, Saving and Investing

    Credit

    • Detailed information on the unit titled Credit  can be found here that includes all objectives, standards, materials and assessments

    • Borrowing Money

    • Introduction to Credit

    • Credit Cards

    • Credit Scores

    • Loans 101


    Saving

    • Detailed information on the unit titled Saving  can be found here  includes all objectives, standards, materials and assessments

    • Why is Saving Important?

    • Building Your Savings Habit

    • Savings vs Checking Accounts

    • Opening a Savings Account

    • The Power of Compound Interest


    Investing

    • Detailed information on the unit titled Investing can be found here includes all objectives, standards, materials and assessments

    • Why Invest?

    • The Stock Market

    • Stocks vs Bonds

    • Diversification

    • Start Investing

     

    Grade Level: 8 - Civics

    The 8th grade curriculum is a program designed to develop youth empowerment and produce informed, active citizens who will promote an equitable society. Within the framework of a democratic classroom, we will cover the early history of the United States. ​Students will be able to analyze the purpose of the constitution, the struggles of a new nation, westward expansion, division of the North/South and reconstruction. As a class, we will be completing a wide range of activities that include the use of interactive technology, current events, projects, speeches, primary sources, discussions, and investigative readings. The goal by the end of the year is to be an informed citizen about our country’s past and how it has shaped us today.

    Main Themes/Units


    Creating a Democratic Classroom  

    Foundations of Government  

    Examining Values and Community

    The Spirit of Independence

    The American Revolution

    The Soapbox Speech Project

    The Constitution  

    The Federalist Era 

    The Jefferson Era

    Growth and Expansion  

    Manifest Destiny 

    North and South  

    Causes of the Civil War

    Reconstruction Era

     

    Primary Text(s)

    textbook cover

     Discovering our Past:  A History of the United States​- Copyright 2014, McGraw-Hill Education

    Mikva: Issues to Action- Copyright 2019, Mikva Challenge Grant Foundation
     

     

    Supplemental/Secondary Text(s)

    We the People: Citizens and the Constitution - Copyright 2017, Center for Civic Education

    The DBQ Project - Copyright 2013, The DBQ Project 

     

    Websites/Software Links

    Junior Scholastic Magazine

    iCivics

    CNN10 Student News