This course consists primarily of the history, physical and human geography, and politics/civics of Canada and Latin America (including the Caribbean). From the origins of civilization to colonialism, personal finance to the homogenizing effects of globalization, we examine people and the land in the western hemisphere from 30000 B.C.E. to the present. The class includes regular current events discussion and emphasizes critical thinking and problem solving through evidence analysis. Sixth grade Social Studies prioritizes student involvement through a multitude of student centered activities; group work, projects, presentations, role-playing, research, primary source analysis, journals, and discussion.

Students will explore the first humans and early civilizations of the Eastern Hemisphere. Throughout the course students will analyze primary and secondary sources, interpret maps and data connected to units of study. Content includes study of Paleolithic and Neolithic people, Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, World Religions, West African Kingdoms, and Renaissance. Students will explore the cultural, economic, political, and geographic impacts of each civilization. They are challenged to make modern connections and use historical thinking to determine how the past has influenced the world of today. The course will develop many academic and social skills including critical thinking, collaboration, formal writing, reading comprehension, creating and defending and argument, and self-reflection. Upon completion of the course, students will have a solid foundation of the great civilizations of the Eastern Hemisphere. Students will use this background knowledge for success in future social studies classes based around European exploration, United States History, World History and World Geography.

8th grade Social Studies covers the time period from the origins of the American Revolution through Reconstruction after the Civil War. In this course several of the expectations of students are: to formulate appropriate hypotheses about United States history based on a variety of historical sources and perspectives, use geographic tools to analyze patterns in human and physical systems, understand economic freedom and the role of taxes in a society, and develop an understanding of the place of law in a constitutional system.