Social Studies

Students will begin the exploration of history with early human life and end in the middle of the 18^th century. In the following year, students will pick up from the mid 1700’s and continue to the most recent events. All aspects of social studies, such as culture, geography, history, and economics are included in each grade. Both levels focus on expository writing in the content area, with a focus on Global History concepts as determined by the New York State curriculum.
 

Pre-AP World History and Geography focuses deeply on the concepts and skills that have maximum value for high school, college, careers, and civic life. The course builds students' essential skills and confidence and helps to prepare them for AP European History. The learning model is that of a disciplinary apprenticeship, with students using the tools of the historian and geographer as sources, data, and analytical reading and writing take center stage in the classroom. In this course, students learn that historians and geographers are investigators intent on using the tools of their disciplines to uncover new evidence about the world and its inhabitants through higher order questioning, in-depth evidence based writing, and evidence based conversations. This course will focus on developing students content-area writing through short answers, long essay questions and document-based writing to help prepare them for the AP European History exam at the end of tenth grade.
 

Students will continue from their Global I course beginning in the mid 1700’s and continue to the most recent events. All aspects of social studies, such as culture, geography, history, and economics are included in each grade. Both levels focus on expository writing in the content area, with a focus on Global History concepts as determined by the New York State curriculum. At the end of Grade 10 students will take the Global History Regents exam, which is required for graduation unless completing an alternative graduation “Pathway.”
 

Tenth grade students with motivation and excellent writing skills may select this course instead of Global History 10. Twelfth grade students may choose it as an elective. Students will be challenged to read extensively, analyze and debate historical perspectives, express historical understanding, and evaluate conflicting interpretations of history. Written expression is a major component of the course. Students should be prepared to spend 1 hour every night reading, writing and preparing for class discussion. All students take the AP exam in May. Sophomores also take the New York State Regents Exam in Global History in June which is required for graduation unless completing an alternative graduation “Pathway.”
 

This course includes a chronological survey of United States history, with emphasis on the United States as a developing industrial and post-industrial nation. Constitutional and legal issues will be explored in depth, as will the problems of a dynamic industrial society in an increasingly complex and technology-oriented world. Previous historical knowledge (from Grades 7 and 8) will be called upon for background, comparison, and contrast. At the end of the course, students will take the U.S. History/Government Regents exam, which is required for graduation.