Social Studies
The United States History
This course covers the history of the United States from the pre-Columbian era to the Civil War. Though the setting and time period are specific to the United States, the emphasis of the course will be on themes and concepts which transcend place and time: migration, freedom and bondage, economic competition, political rights and responsibilities, historical interpretation, etc. Students will learn to study, interpret, and draw information from a variety of both primary and secondary sources. They will also develop their understanding of multiple perspectives in a conflict, cause-effect relationships, and biases in their reading of historical information.
Students created annotated posters showing the human-environment adaptations of the first Americans.
Interviews and Role Play
Students participate in history as part of their learning of the past. In this way, they understand multiple perspectives, an important concept in interpreting historical events. During our Exploration Unit, students choose the role of a Native American, an explorer, a soldier, fur trapper, a priest, or a leader of an expedition to study. Then they are interviewed about their role, motivation, and point of view regarding exploration and the meeting of two cultures. Students draw upon details in their reading of secondary and primary sources to help them authenticate their responses.