Classes
7th Grade US History
Time:1st and 5th Hour(s)
This is a 7th Grade survey class of American History. We begin with the early settlements in North America and look at the Ice Age, Native Americans, and the Age of Exploration. We then examine the founding of the United States of America and the early days of the nation up through the Civil War. This includes a unit on hte American Constitution.
During the second semester we study Reconstruction, the Wild West, and the Gilded Age before getting into both World Wars. Of course, this includes units on the Roarings 20s and the Great Depression. We conclude the year with a brief history on the Cold War period. This class offers students the chance to study cause-and-effect, human innovation, and various conflicts. Fun projects include models, term papers, seminars, field trips, and reinactments.
8th Grade Geography
Time: 3rd Hour
The last year of junior high social studies sees the 8th Graders look at the world we live in. Exploring the 7 Contients one at a time we study culture, landforms, people, nations, maps, climates, etc. The course begins with a brief overview of the planet as a whole before focusing in on North and South America. We also take a few weeks to study and pass the Illinois State Constitution Test.
During the second half of the year we cross the Atlantic Ocean and cover Africa, Europe, and Asia. Throughout the year we will take a variety of map quizzes, write term papers, construct posters and brochures, and even make power point slide shows on the different places we cover.
6th Grade World History
Time: 4th and 6th Hour(s)
The 6th graders will explore the history of western civilization dating back to pre-historic times. We begin with the Ice Age and paleolithic peoples before moving onto early empires such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, and even China. We will then examine how both Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome help shape modern governments around the world. We also look at the early peoples of America, Africa, and Europe.
The second semester begins with the Middle Ages. This includes segments on Medieval Kings & Queens, The Feudalist System, Knights, Serfs, the 100 Years War, and even the Crusades. This transitions into the Black Plague and the Renaissance and by the 4th Quarter we are looking at different revolutions that took place around the world. For example, we will cover the Scientific Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, the American Revolution, and finally the French Revolution.
6th Grade Spelling :DEAR
Time: After Lunch
This short period offers students the opportunity to practice their spelling on a daily basis. By receiving a new set of spelling words each week the students get to take a practice test, write out their correctly spelled words several times each, and fill out a packet using their words. This introduces them to a number of new words from a variety of different subject areas throughout the year.
RtI
Time: 7th Hour
This is a quarter long class that is designed to offer the students with an opportunity to enrich their social studies experience through a more 'hands on' approach towards learning. In other words, the students will read historical documents, examine speeches, conduct a mock trial, research and debate, and write a term paper on a variety of topics not covered as deeply in the other social studies classes. This year's RTI focus has been mostly based around a government and civics theme.
