Social Studies

In Kindergarten through 4th grade students look at these areas in separate inquiry units. Each unit is structured around a compelling question. Throughout the unit students examine a variety of resources and answer supporting questions as they work to develop their own answer to the overarching unit question. 

Kindergarten	Are all rules good rules?  Why do I have to be responsible at school and home?  Which is better, a map or a globe?  Why can’t we ever get everything we need and want?  What makes holidays special?
First Grade	Why should I be a global citizen?  Can my life fit on a map?  What choices do we make with our money?  How can families be the same and different?  What do family stories tell us about the past?
Second Grade	Do we have to have rules?  How would our lives be different if we lived in a different kind of community?  What is the purpose of Harwinton’s and Burlington’s town government?  Economic interdependence: What makes me become we?  How has family life changed over time?
Third Grade	Does it matter how leaders are chosen?  Where are we and how do we impact where we are?  How does our culture make us similar and different?  Is sharing and trading across cultures always a good thing?  Do people around the world care about children’s rights?
Fourth Grade	Who gets to vote? What did it take for women and minorities to earn the right to vote in Connecticut?  How are the regions of the United States interconnected?  What motivated people to move West? Why do people move?  Why do countries need each other?  What is the real cost of chocolate?

Grade 5: U.S. History; Beginnings to Independence 

Students begin their study of the United States with an investigation of the different cultures of the Native Americans with additional attention paid to the people of the Northeast Woodlands. After a brief look at the European voyages of exploration they turn to their focus to life in the early colonial period. Students compare life in different North American colonies and events that lead to conflict with Great Britain. The course concludes with the events of the American Revolution. 

Grade 6: Early Human Civilizations                

In 6th grade students explore the complex social, economic, and geographic conditions that gave rise to early human civilizations. The course begins with the rise of agricultural societies in Mesopotamia and the wider Middle East and North Africa as well as the Indus Valley. Students focus on the expansion of technology and formal government structures in the study of early China and conclude the year with a look at the many contributions of the Greek city states. Throughout this course students examine how geography and natural resources impact the development of societies and economic systems. 

Grade 7: Early Human Civilizations 

Students continue investigating the ancient world, beginning with the social and technological innovations of the Romans and learn about the events that led to the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Empire. In the aftermath of the fall of Rome students learn about the establishment of the feudal system in Europe and how society struggled to rebuild and expand their reach. The course then shifts focus to Sub-Saharan Africa beginning with the ancient kingdoms such and the Mali and Songhai. Students will develop an understanding of the culture and society of the region before the arrival of Europeans. The course culminates with an study of the early societies of South and Central America. Throughout this course students examine how geography and natural resources impact the development of societies and economic systems. 

Grade 8: U. S. History; The Constitution to Reconstruction 

Students continue their study of U.S. History picking up where they ended in the 5th grade course. Students will concentrate on major historical events that shaped the development of our country between the end of the American Revolution to the aftermath of the Civil War. The course will emphasize social studies skills such as document analysis, effective communication, and the application of historical skills. Students will develop research skills in this course by completing research activities in each unit of study.  

  

Students must earn 1 credit in U.S. History and ½ credit in Civics/American Government in order to meet state graduation requirements 

Global Studies 9  

This course is designed to explore cultural diversity and to introduce social science concepts and skills. Students will examine the regions of South and East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa and their role in world interdependence. Major themes include human-environment interaction, reactions to imperialism, modernization, and how these forces interacted to shape contemporary societies.  

Global Studies 10                

This course continues the study of world regions started in Global Studies 9 with a focus on the regions of the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America. Important recent issues and conflicts will be explored in these regions culminating in students demonstrating their awareness of the importance of understanding multiple perspectives. In the Europe unit, students will trace the development of democracy, the scientific revolution, the industrial revolution, nationalism, and the rise and decline of communism. Students will determine how these forces interacted to shape contemporary societies.   

AP World History 

Advanced Placement World History is a college survey of World History from 1200 to the present using a college text and College Board materials. In AP World History: Modern, students investigate noteworthy events, individuals, developments, and processes from 1200 to the present. The course provides six themes that students explore throughout the course to make connections among historical developments in various times and places: humans and the environment, cultural developments and interactions, governance, economic systems, social interactions and organization, and technology and innovation.  

U. S. History 

The Eleventh Grade U.S. History course is a sequel to Eighth Grade U.S. History. Students will concentrate on major historical events from the late 19th Century through the early 21st Century. The course will emphasize social studies skills such as document analysis, effective communication, and the application of historical skills. Students will develop research skills in this course by completing research activities in each unit of study. The cultural side of history as a primary source will be introduced through art, political cartoons, video interpretation, and music.   

AP U. S. History 

Advanced Placement U. S. History is a college level course which studies U.S. History from colonial times to the present, using a college textbook and specified College Board materials. In AP U.S. History, students will explore eight themes throughout the course: American and National Identity; Work, Exchange and Technology; Geography and the Environment; Migration and Settlement; Politics and Power; America in the World; American and Regional Culture; and Social Structures.  

Civics and American Government  

This course is designed to provide students with practical knowledge and understanding of our American government at federal, state, and local levels. This course will prepare students to apply knowledge of the US Constitution and how the American system of government affects individual citizens. Students will also demonstrate their understanding that US citizens have both rights and responsibilities and weigh the rights we have in different contexts. 

Electives Available to 11th and 12th Grade Students 

Half Year	Full Year
Contemporary Issues  Economics  Law  Psychology  Sociology  UCONN ECE: Intro to Human Rights	African American/Black and Puerto Rican/Latino Studies     AP Psychology