Middle School Social Studies

Students who understand history, geography, current events, and the other social studies will have a greater ability to make decisions, to participate in democracy, and to be better citizens of their communities, nation, and the world. Social studies is naturally interesting and vitally important!

All middle school students work to develop strong study, research, and presentation skills, demonstrated through several projects through the school year. Regular quizzes and written tests are utilized to assess learning. Students gain an appreciation (and even a love!) of history and build important life skills like writing, critical thinking, reading for meaning, and civic responsibility.

Sixth graders study the ancient world, focusing on the civilizations of Egypt, Ancient India, Ancient China, Greece, Rome, and the Islamic Empires.

Sixth grade social studies projects include:

  • Egypt Project & Report
    Students create an Egyptian model or “artifact”
  • Greek Day
    Students dress as ancient Greeks and participate in student-written skits to share what they have learned with the class.

Seventh graders focus their studies on world history from approximately 500 A.D. through 1600 A.D. The civilizations of Africa, China, and pre-Colombian America are the focus of the first trimester.

In the second trimester, focus shifts to Europe as students investigate the Middle Ages. The third trimester covers the Renaissance through the early modern Age of Discover. There is an emphasis throughout on asking critical thinking questions, making comparisons between the past and modern day events, and encouraging students to become engaged with the “story” part of history.

Seventh grade social studies projects include:

  • Trade with China Project
    Students investigate the challenges of free trade and restricted trade. They research and create video commercials and participate in a role-play activity.
  • Middle Ages Project
    Students create a diary of a knight or design and caption “stained glass” windows to demonstrate learning based on research from several sources.
  • Renaissance Project
    Students research a specific historic person, dress in a costume, and participate in a panel discussed based on that person’s history and life experience.

Eighth graders focus their studies on American history beginning with the colonial era and moving chronologically through to the Civil War.

Eighth grade social studies projects include:

  • Colonial Town Meeting
    Students select a colonial character, research his/her lifestyle, and participate in a class roundtable session dressed as and responding to the discussion in the role of that person.
  • Political and Editorial Cartoon
    Students create political cartoons and write editorials on topics related to the era of President Andrew Jackson.

Eighth graders also have a special focus on the U.S. Constitution and ongoing reading and discussions about current events.