Overview: Students study Massachusetts and New England: the culture of Native Peoples and their interactions with European explorers and settlers; ideas about self government in the colony of Massachusetts that led to rebellion against Great Britain, the causes and consequences of the American Revolution for Massachusetts, and the development of students’ own cities and towns. They study these topics by exploring guiding questions such as “What is the purpose of government?” and “What is a revolution?” Additional supporting questions appear under each topic. The questions included are not meant to be restrictive but rather to serve as avenues for discussion and research.
To begin the year, please explore the resources for an Identity and Community unit helping classrooms explore the question "What is the identity of my community, and how do I fit into it?".