In sixth grade students are introduced to ancient civilizations, beginning with Mesopotamia and ending with the Middle Ages. They begin to work with primary and secondary sources as well as develop thematic essays. Seventh and eighth grade social studies is a two-year course in American history. The first half covers the American Revolution through the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Industrial Revolution. The second half begins with immigration in the 1890’s and takes students up to 20th century America. Instruction stresses essay writing, and introduces students to document-based questions (DBQ), and the use of primary sources.
