History

June 27, 2023

Our fifth through eighth graders are guided through a history curriculum that is closely interwoven with our English program. Teachers provide cross-curricular studies that bring the humanities to light through historical and cultural lenses. Students begin their middle school studies with an understanding of prehistory and Neolithic settlements. From there, they move through Ancient Civilizations and the Middle Ages, to modern times, focusing on the impact of religion, technology, and politics. Teachers incorporate both classic and newer texts, along with primary sources, while ensuring a learning environment that supports diverse perspectives and respectful debate. Field trips, guest speakers, and hands-on projects strengthen instruction. Our middle school history curriculum culminates with participation in We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution. Students participate in an annual, nationwide competition that involves mock-congressional testimony. To prepare for the competition, students work to learn about a specific constitutional issue, prepare a statement in response to a question, and practice responding to challenging questions from a panel of judges. This collaborative program is aimed at teaching students how to think, not what to think, when it comes to government and the implementation of the United States Constitution.