To conclude the year, students will be exploring the impact of the Roman Republic and Empire. Students will learn how the Republic was founded. They will also evaluate the story of Julius Caesar and the transition to the role of Emperor. We will also be exploring our World Religions Unit. 

Students will also be learning how to use data graphs and informational text. 

Our Social Studies students are beginning a new unit on the Civil War, which explores a pivotal and transformative era in our nation's history. Students will examine the deep divisions that split the country and the profound impact this conflict had on its people. The unit addresses the realities of this time period, including the hardships faced by people of color and the systemic harms they endured.

Throughout the unit, students will engage with primary source documents, the TCI textbook, and historical documentaries like The Story of US to gain a historically accurate understanding of life during the 1860s. We are prepared to support students through these sensitive and potentially emotional conversations, and we invite you to join us in supporting these discussions at home.

The unit concludes with a focus on the political and social changes sparked by the war. Students will analyze how the Union’s victory began the complex process of reuniting the states and establishing the United States as a free nation.

In 8th Grade Social Studies, we have just finished our Civil Rights Movement Unit. We will be finishing the school year with a mini unit called Decades Deep Dive. This is a completely independent and research based unit which will end with students creating a digital poster using Canva or Google Slides. Students will pick a specific decade (1950s-2000s) and research the following 4 categories on their decade with 3 sub topics which will be the basis for their digital poster: 

1. Politics & Global Conflict - Who held power during this decade, and who was fighting to make changes?

• Topic Ideas: Major wars, movements, elections, or international treaties.

2. Science, Technology & Innovation - How did daily life change because of new inventions or scientific discoveries?

• Topic Ideas: Breakthroughs in medicine, space exploration, household gadgets, or communication.

3. Pop Culture & Entertainment - What did people do for fun, and what were the "must-have" items of the era?

• Topic Ideas: Top movies, music genres, fashion trends, and influential celebrities or athletes.

4. Economics & Daily Life - What did the "American Dream" look like for an average family during this time?

• Topic Ideas: The price of common goods (milk, gas, bread), average household income, and major economic shifts (booms or busts)