The department seeks to prepare students to be independent, forward-thinking participants, actively involved in the 21st century. Inclusion of technology and evidence-based learning are paramount to the curriculum which is designed to motivate each student to think for himself/herself, to analyze, and to draw conclusions from a variety of primary and secondary sources. At least one research paper is required at each level. The curriculum is supplemented with works of historical non-fiction and/or other works of literature in the content area. Each course integrates the social, political, economic and historical elements of culture, nations and governments as outlined in the NYS Syllabi for Social Studies as well as the NYS learning standards. Social Studies courses in grades 9-11 are Regents courses, culminating in a Regents exam in grades 10 and 11. College Board Advanced Placement courses are offered in grades 10, 11, and 12. For more information regarding the New York State Core Curriculum for Social Studies go to: 

https://www.engageny.org/resource/new-york-state-k-12-social-studies-framework

Grade 7

Curriculum Level: Grade level

State Exam: None

Frequency: Every day
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DESCRIPTION

Grade 7 Social Studies is arranged chronologically and incorporates geography as well as economic, social, and political trends. The course content is divided into eight key ideas, tracing the human experience in the United States from pre-Columbian times until the Civil War, with a focus on the people, events, and places in New York State as applicable. Throughout the course, teachers will help students see connections across time and tie those connections into current events. 

TEXT AND OTHER MATERIALS

Teacher provided handouts and articles, selected fiction and nonfiction readings. 
Ebook America: History of Our Nation

WORK EXPECTATIONS

Participation in class discussions and group activities, daily reading and writing assignments, analysis and synthesis of primary/secondary documents, quizzes, essays, research based projects

COURSE OUTLINE

1. Native Americans
1.  How physical environment and natural resources influenced the first settlements 
2. Colonies
1. Reasons for their development and the study of how they each developed differently based on economic, social and geographic factors
3. American Independence
1. Political and economic issues that sparked the movement for independence from the British
4. The historical development of the Constitution 
5. The Constitution in practice and as a living document
1. The Constitution as the foundation of the United States government
2. The rights of citizens
6. Westward expansion
1. Political and economic motives
7. Reform movements and resistance efforts caused by social, political, and economic inequalities
8. A nation divided
1. Sectionalism
2. Causes of the Civil War