Dear Parents and Community Members:
Welcome to the Social Studies Department at the Westwood Regional School District. All of our elementary school students receive instruction based on the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Social Studies.
When students arrive at Westwood Regional Middle School, they take United States History in 6th Grade with Ms. Dominiczak or Ms. Proietto. In 7th and 8th grade, our students start the beginning of a three year progression of World History with Ms. Braune, Mr. Mascellino, Ms. Morrison, and Mr. Delaney.
After having completed ancient World History in 7th and 8th grade, 9th grade students continue their exploration of World History with Ms. Rea, Ms. DiLuzio, and Mr. Izzo. Instructors begin by teaching informative units on The Renaissance, The Age of Exploration, and Absolute Rulers. By the spring, students learn about key 20th Century conflicts such as WWI and WWII from a world lens.
In sophomore and junior years, students take two years of United States History. Currently, Mr. Nelson, Dr. Thames, Mr. Holsworth, Mr. DeBlasio, Mr. Collis, and Ms. Huber teach United States History. In all social studies courses students are expected to use evidence, logic, and reason in order to support an argument. One way that students created arguments is by analyzing documents and then using the documents to support a thesis. Some other objectives that social studies teachers aim for are helping students make interdisciplinary connections, integrate meaningful technology, and reflect on their work. In Grades 9 through 11 Honors options are available for both World and United States History.
In addition, a diverse array of social studies electives are offered for students who want to strengthen their knowledge in the area. Students may opt to take American Government & Law, Human Rights, Genocide, and Contemporary Issues, Sports in American Culture, Contemporary American History through Media, and Psychology with Ms. Wren. For students who are interested in potentially earning college credit, AP United States Government & Politics, AP United States History, AP Human Geography, and AP Psychology will be offered during the 2026-2027 school year.
Click HERE to view the Westwood Regional High School Program of Studies.
K-12 Supervisor of Humanities