Social Studies
Below are descriptions of the social studies courses offered at Elm Middle School.
Ancient Civilizations
Grade level: 6
In 6th-grade social studies, students will practice skills and gain knowledge in the following categories, with an emphasis on ancient world civilizations:
- Constructing questions to guide inquiry
- Gathering and evaluating sources
- Developing claims and using evidence to critique and communicate conclusions
- Taking informed action
- Geography
- History
- Economics
- Civics
United States History
Grade Level: 7
In 7th-grade social studies, students will practice skills and gain knowledge in the following categories, with an emphasis on American history:
- Constructing questions to guide inquiry
- Gathering and evaluating sources
- Developing claims and using evidence to critique and communicate conclusions
- Taking informed action
- Geography
- History
- Economics
- Civics
Civics
Grade Level: 8
In 8th-grade social studies, students will practice skills and gain knowledge in the following categories, with an emphasis on civics (understanding political systems, institutions and citizenship, especially in the United States):
- Constructing questions to guide inquiry
- Gathering and evaluating sources
- Developing claims and using evidence to critique and communicate conclusions
- Taking informed action
- Civic and political institutions
- Participation and deliberation — applying civic virtues and democratic principles
- Processes, rules and laws
Although Civics is not an accelerated course, this is a high school-level class that will earn high school credit for Elm students upon successful completion.