Social Studies
Social Studies Course Overview
Grade 7
Our curriculum and Social Studies education is framed around the ideas put forth by the National Council for the Social Studies and the CT SS Frameworks of using Social Studies education to develop students skills of College, Career, and Civic readiness. We have framed our skill development around the Connecticut Core Standards. We also have framed our curriculum around the Naugatuck 7-12 Social Studies Competencies and the Naugatuck K-12 Vision of the Graduate.
Students who receive Social Studies education at City Hill are developing the skills of and abilities to:
- Be critical readers and thinkers
- Evaluate evidence and sources critically
- Detect spin and bias in the print, television, and online media
- Detect author biases and perspectives
- Identify their own biases and possible reasons for it
- Investigate claims of others and fact check others claims
- Ask questions
- Conduct research
- Root their arguments in evidence and facts
- Construct logical, evidence-based arguments
- Select appropriate evidence to support and corroborate their claims
- Analyze primary and secondary sources
- Evaluate the legitimacy of primary and secondary sources
- Defend their opinions and claims with evidence
- Articulate their ideas verbally and in writing using content specific vocabulary
- Cite their sources
- Debate with others appropriately
- Collaborate with their peers
- Solve real world problems
- Use 21st century technology
- Make connections
- View events through historical, economic, geographic, and civics lenses
- Students at City Hill are learning and developing their abilities to become civic minded and informed citizens of the United States and the world who want to improve their communities, their nation, and the world. Students who study Social Studies are tolerant of different perspectives, ideas, beliefs and culture, and are aware of their impact as global citizens.
Assured Assessments and Experiences:
Assured Assessments are shared by all students in 7th grade Social Studies. According to our philosophy, we make sure students are learning the same material and sharing important shared experiences across all three 7th grade Social Studies classes.
Tests
- Quizzes
- DBQs
- PBAs
- Debates
CHMS Grading Policy and Percentages:
- Homework 10%
- Classwork and Participation 15%
- PBA (Performance Based Assessments) 20%
- Quizzes 25%
- Tests 30%
Supply List:
- 3 Ring binder for Humanities (Social Studies and ELA)
- Pencils or Pens
- Lined Paper
Grade 8
Our curriculum and Social Studies education is framed around the ideas put forth by the National Council for the Social Studies and the CT SS Frameworks of using Social Studies education to develop students skills of College, Career, and Civic readiness. We have framed our skill development around the Connecticut Core Standards. We also have framed our curriculum around the Naugatuck 7-12 Social Studies Competencies and the Naugatuck K-12 Vision of the Graduate.
This year in 8th grade, students will explore U.S. History from the Civil War era (1860s) through the Vietnam War era (1960s/1970s), with connections made to modern-day current events. Students will be exposed to primary and secondary sources related to major events throughout this timeline. They will be asked to think historically, activate prior knowledge, and make real world connections. Finally, students will be able to take a position on a variety of issues and use evidence to reinforce their position, both through written work as well as through student discourse including debates and class discussion.
Students who receive Social Studies education at City Hill develop the skills and abilities to:
- Be critical readers and thinkers
- Evaluate evidence and sources critically
- Detect spin and bias in the print, television, and online media
- Detect author biases and perspectives
- Identify their own biases and possible reasons for it
- Investigate claims of others and fact check others claims
- Ask questions
- Conduct research
- Root their arguments in evidence and facts
- Construct logical, evidence-based arguments
- Select appropriate evidence to support and corroborate their claims
- Analyze primary and secondary sources
- Evaluate the legitimacy of primary and secondary sources
- Defend their opinions and claims with evidence
- Articulate their ideas verbally and in writing using content specific vocabulary
- Cite their sources
- Debate with others appropriately
- Collaborate with their peers
- Solve real world problems
- Use 21st century technology
- Make connections
- View events through historical, economic, geographic, and civic lenses
Students at City Hill are learning and developing their abilities to become civic minded and informed citizens of the United States and the world who want to improve their communities, their nation, and the world. Students who study Social Studies are tolerant of different perspectives, ideas, beliefs and culture, and are aware of their impact as global citizens.
Assured Assessments and Experiences:
Assured Assessments are shared by all students in 8th grade Social Studies. According to our philosophy, we make sure students are learning the same material and sharing important experiences across all three 8th grade Social Studies classes.
Grading Policy and Percentages
- Homework: 10%
- Classwork and Participation: 20%
- Assessments (Quizzes, Tests, Debates, Performance Tasks, DBQs): 70%
Supply List
- Pencils or Pens
- 3 ring binder or Folder (with pockets) with Humanities (SS and ELA)
- Lined Paper
- Highlighter (Optional)
Social Studies Teachers
