The 6th grade year is focused upon building students’ capacities to think and act as “experts” in the Social Sciences. Students will question multiple perspectives of past and present societies while examining change. The curriculum includes:

• Introduction to Geography
• Ancient civilizations of the Americas: Mayan, Aztec and Inca
• Conquest of the Americas
• Globalization and the western hemisphere: our place in the world

Laredo strives to develop global learners. This belief is instilled in 7th graders by allowing them to explore their lives in a global community in hope of recognizing the connections with one another. This ideal will carry through to all units of study. The study will center on ancient history to modern times. Major concepts such as globalization, philosophies, world religions, and current events will be at the forefront of the lessons.

The 7th Grade Curriculum includes:

• River civilizations: ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt and India
• Ancient Greece and Rome
• Ancient China
• Major religions of the eastern hemisphere

Students will study the historical foundations of America. Students will focus their attention on understanding the complexity of issues surrounding questions such as, “Why do people need government?” and “How does the past shape the future?” Students will build on the skills learned from sixth and seventh grade to practice historical inquiry using primary and secondary source documents. This course requires students to gain a firm understanding of the first half (1600-1870) of American history so that they will be prepared for the second half (1870-present) of American history in high school.

The 8th Grade Social Studies curriculum will cover:

• Introduction to American History
• Colonization: The road to revolution
• The U.S. Constitution
• A New Nation
• Westward expansion
• Civil War and Reconstruction

History develops moral understanding, defines identity and creates an appreciation of how things change while building skills in judgment and decision-making. History enhances the ability to read varied sources and develop the skills to analyze, interpret and communicate.

Economics teaches how society manages its scarce resources, how people make decisions, how people interact in the domestic and international markets and how forces and trends affect the economy as a whole. Personal financial literacy applies the economic way of thinking to help individuals understand how to manage their own scarce resources using a logical decision-making process of prioritization based on analysis of the costs and benefits of every choice.

Geography provides students with an understanding of spatial perspectives and technologies for spatial analysis, awareness of interdependence of world regions and resources and how places are connected at local, national and global scales.

Civics teaches the complexity of the origins, structure and functions of governments; the rights, roles and responsibilities of ethical citizenship; the importance of law; and the skills necessary to participate in all levels of government.