In Grade 7 Social Studies, we focus on early American history, but we strive to work with all of the social studies (anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, history, linguistics, politics, psychology, and sociology). Our year begins with a look at United States political and physical geography, before looking at the geography of Maine and southern New Hampshire. Students will take part in a Maine Department of Education learning module emphasizing the connection between Maine's indigenous tribes and the waters of the state.
We then look at European exploration in the Americas, focusing on North America. As we narrow our focus to English colonization, the future nation begins to take shape. We trace the young nation's growth up to the biggest crisis in the nation's history: the Civil War and its aftermath. We conclude the year by looking at how the country attempted to heal from the scars of the Civil War. In addition to this content, we will do a great deal of writing in multiple genres, we will work on public speaking (you CAN do it!), and we will work with your ELA teacher to support your NWEA reading goals.
Starting the year, the plan is to use the following scope and sequence; however, the nature of middle school is to be flexible due to such various teachable moments as: interdisciplinary units, Veterans Day, global or local newsworthy events, and many, many more. Here is the framework we will be following:
Unit 1: The Geography of Maine and the United States; Water Stewardship: Water and the Wabanaki
Unit 2: Exploring the Americas
Unit 3: British Colonies Take Root in the Americas
Unit 4: The Revolutionary Era
Unit 5: Governing a New Nation: Civics
Unit 6: The New Nation in the Nineteenth Century World
Unit 7: The Industrial Nation
Unit 8: The Expanding Nation
Unit 9: Civil War and Reconstruction
Please see my Google Classroom page for weekly homework, links, and other announcements!
Google Classroom Code: TBD