Social Studies

Sixth grade students expand their understanding of history by studying the people and events that ushered in the dawn of the major Western and non-Western ancient civilizations. Geography is of special significance in the development of the human story. Continued emphasis is placed on the everyday lives, problems, and accomplishments of people, their role in developing social, economic, and political structures, as well as in establishing and spreading ideas that helped transform the world forever. Students develop higher levels of critical thinking by considering why civilizations developed where and when they did, why they became dominant, and why they declined. Students analyze the interactions among the various cultures, emphasizing their enduring contributions and the link, despite time, between the contemporary and ancient worlds.

Historical Mock Trials
In this enrichment students will immerse themselves into the courtroom drama of the past. Throughout the trimester, they will investigate and recreate actual court cases and become the attorneys, defendants and witnesses. The verdict hinges on how convincingly the case is argued! The historical trials may include Joan of Arc, the Salem Witch Trials, and the “spies” Julius and Ethel Rosenberg.
 

Curriculum Resources:
Ancient Civilizations, Glencoe

Seventh grade students in grade seven study the social, cultural, and technological changes that occurred in Europe, Africa, and Asia in the years A. D. 500Ð 1789. After reviewing the ancient world and the ways in which archaeologists and historians uncover the past, students study the history and geography of great civilizations that were developing concurrently throughout the world during medieval and early modern times. They examine the growing economic interaction among civilizations as well as the exchange of ideas, beliefs, technologies, and commodities. They learn about the resulting growth of Enlightenment philosophy and the new examination of the concepts of reason and authority, the natural rights of human beings and the divine right of kings, experimentalism in science, and the dogma of belief. Finally, students assess the political forces let loose by the Enlightenment, particularly the rise of democratic ideas, and they learn about the continuing influence of these ideas in the world today.

• Social Studies Course Information
  • United States History & Geography: Making a New Nation
    • Students trace the routes of early explorers and describe the early explorations of the Americas.
    • Students describe the cooperation and conflict that existed among the American Indians and between the Indian nations and the new settlers.
    • Students understand the political, religious, social, and economic institutions that evolved in the colonial era.
    • Students explain the causes of the American Revolution.
    • Students understand the course and consequences of the American evolution
    • Students describe the people and events associated with the development of the U.S. Constitution and analyze the Constitution’s significance as the foundation of the American republic.
    • Students trace the colonization, immigration, and settlement patterns of the American people from 1789 to the mid-1800s, with emphasis on the role of economic incentives, effects of the physical and political geography, and transportation systems
    • Students know the location of the current 50 states and the names of their capitals.

Curriculum Resources:
“Medieval and Early Modern Times” textbook Glencoe
“Across the Centuries” Houghton Mifflin (supplemental textbook used in class)
Teachers’ Curriculum Institute (TCI): Interactive class activities and lessons
“Medieval and Early Modern Times”
“Medieval and Early Modern Times”: Chapter resource activities workbook. Reading, writing, skill practice, and critical thinking activities and assignments
“Building Skills in Geography” (Glencoe): Lessons and activities
Nystrom Desk Atlas
“Islam; Empire of Faith” PBS
“The Samurai” History Channel
“Cathedral” PBS
“Knights and Armor” A&

Students in grade eight study the ideas, issues, and events from the framing of the Constitution up to World War I, with an emphasis on America’s role in the war. After reviewing the development of America’s democratic institutions founded on the Judeo-Christian heritage and English parliamentary traditions, particularly the shaping of the Constitution, students trace the development of American politics, society, culture, and economy and relate them to the emergence of major regional differences. They learn about the challenges facing the new nation, with an emphasis on the causes, course, and consequences of the Civil War. They make connections between the rise of industrialization and contemporary social and economic conditions.

• Social Studies Course Information
  • United States History & Geography: Making a New Nation
    • Students trace the routes of early explorers and describe the early explorations of the Americas.
    • Students describe the cooperation and conflict that existed among the American Indians and between the Indian nations and the new settlers.
    • Students understand the political, religious, social, and economic institutions that evolved in the colonial era.
    • Students explain the causes of the American Revolution.
    • Students understand the course and consequences of the American evolution
    • Students describe the people and events associated with the development of the U.S. Constitution and analyze the Constitution’s significance as the foundation of the American republic.
    • Students trace the colonization, immigration, and settlement patterns of the American people from 1789 to the mid-1800s, with emphasis on the role of economic incentives, effects of the physical and political geography, and transportation systems
    • Students know the location of the current 50 states and the names of their capitals.

• Curriculum Resources:
  “The American Journey” textbook Glencoe
  “A More Perfect Union” Houghton Mifflin (supplemental textbook used in class)
  Teachers’ Curriculum Institute (TCI): Interactive class activities and lessons
  “The American Journey” Student Works: CD with textbook, audio, and workbooks
  “The American Journey”: Chapter resource activities workbook. Reading, writing, skill practice, and critical thinking activities and assignments.
  “Creative Strategies for Teaching American History” (Hole, Rinehart, and Winston): Lesson plans and activities
  “Eyewitness and Others” (Holt, Rinehart, and Winston): Primary source readings in American History Volumes one and two
  “The Constitution: Past, Present, and Future” (Holt, Rinehart, and Winston): Lesson plan and activities
  PBS “The Civil War” website
  “Liberty!” PBS American Revolution series
  “The Presidents” History Channel series
  “The West” Ken Burns PBS series
  “The Civil War” Ken Burns PBS series
  Local History: Los Altos & Ohlones Uses basic map reading skills correctly Identifies the continents and ocean of the world Knows local history