Middle School Social Studies
This year in Middle School Social Studies, we are studying the different
ancient communities of the world.
6th & 8th Grades: We began last fall with the study of Canada. A
big focus of the unit was the study of the Inuits. We learned that Inuits used
every part of the animal for a purpose when they hunted; nothing was
wasted. To see what lifeskills Inuit life required, students were
presented with an upholstered rocking chair, told to take it apart and
to use each piece for a practical purpose. The rocker became their
'animal'. Students learned the importance of teamwork in the Inuit
community, and took pride in using their creativity in using the
springs, stuffing, fabric, wood and legs of the rocker to create amazing
objects.
For the second quarter, we studied Mexico. Students particularly enjoyed
learning about the Aztecs and how their community functioned and grew.
Spanish colonialism and its influence on Mexico was also
discussed. Students presented projects at the end of the unit, such
as: a Cinco de Mayo poster, a Christmas in Mexico newspaper, travel
brochures, and a videotaped 'movie preview' of a famous Mexican
historical figure.
Currently, for the third quarter, we are learning about the Incas of
Peru, South America and the almost unbelievable construction of Machu
Picchu. We will also be learning about the Amazon rainforest and other
communities in the various countries of South America. A trip to the
Denver Art Museum to study pre-Columbian art is planned.
For the fourth quarter, we will be learning about the different
countries of Central America and the Caribbean; histories of the
different countries will be compared and contrasted, as will the various
governments and ways of life.
7th Grade: We began last fall with a short unit on archaelology,
and asked the question: If ancient history happened thousands of years
ago, how can we know what we know? We learned how hunting/gathering
people evolved into the first farmers, and how Mesopotamia came next.
We studied Egyptians, and their views on the afterlife, and how that
affected Egyptian civilization from mummification to the building of the
beautiful pyramid tombs. We mummified a teddy bear, and
saved its 'entrails' (only stuffing) in canopic jars!
For the second quarter, we studied the Indus River Valley civilization
and again learned the importance of early civilizations developing near
rivers. We studied the guiding beliefs of Hinduism, and the actions of
Gandhi and his forms of nonviolent protest, which later influenced
Martin Luther King.
At the present, we are beginning to study about Greece and the
development of democracy, and how this civilization had a lasting effect
on the United States. We will also be studying the Roman Empire, along
with the beginnings of Christianity. The third quarter will close with
the study of the Middle Ages, castle life, and the Black Plague.
For the last quarter of the year, we'll be learning about the
development of Islam and its guiding beliefs, as well as the East and
West African kingdoms, and their development and ways of life.
The goal of the middle school social studies curriculum is to produce
caring, well-informed citizens, ready to face the challenges that an
increasingly multi-faceted world presents.
If you have any questions about the Middle School Social Studies program, please contact Susie O'Hara: sohara@csdb.org.
Please e-mail any comments, suggestions or problems to dcovington@csdb.org.
