What We Are Doing in Social Studies This Week

For parents/guardians, if you are curious about what your student is learning (or looking for other questions to ask students besides "How was school?") please see the information below. Each week will have a description of topics/activities covered and potential follow-up questions.

June 9 - 13 Final Project Students will spend the week finishing the research on the final project topic they chose last week. After answering the main focus question, students will create a slideshow presentation about their war/person and present their topic in small groups. Possible questions to ask students: How justifiable/unjustifiable and civilized/uncivilized was your chosen war? To what degree was your chosen person a hero and/or celebrity? What surprised you the most about your war/person? Which war or who stood out the most to you in the small group presentations?

June 2 - 6 Final Project

June 2 - 6 Final Project Students will start the week by deciding whether they will focus on a war or an individual for their final project. After brainstorming different evaluating criteria and making a grading rubric, students will research their chosen war or person. Possible questions to ask students: Are you going to focus on a war or a person? If war, do you think it's possible to have a justifiable and/or civilized war? If person, what characteristics do you think make someone a hero or celebrity? What is the most surprising fact you have learned in your research?

May 26 - 30 Slavery in America

May 26 - 30 Slavery in America Students will spend this week learning about slavery in America by examining primary and secondary sources related to the topic. Students will also be reviewing the difference between facts, opinions, and inferences. Possible questions to ask students: What surprised you the most about slavery in America? What are the pros and cons to primary (and secondary) sources? What do you think was the worst part of being enslaved?

May 19 - 23 The South

May 19 - 23 The South Students will spend this week learning about what life was like in the South for most people who were not enslaved. After getting a brief overview of the South in general, students will explore the challenges faced by poor Southern farmers and learn about why many chose to fight in the Civil War. Possible questions to ask students : Would you have liked to have lived in the South before the Civil War? What challenges did poor Southern farmers face? What surprised you the most about the reasons why poor Southern farmers fought in the Civil War?

May 12 - 16 The North

May 12 - 16 The North Students will start the week by gaining an overview of what life was like in the North for people living before the Civil War. Later in the week students will specifically learn about Lowell Mills and then use that information to prepare and engage in a strike simulation. Possible questions to ask students: Would you have liked to have lived in the North before the Civil War? Would you have rather worked on a New England farm or in a New England textile mill? What happened during the strike simulation?

May 5 - 9 Careers

May 5 - May 9 Careers Students will spend this shortened academic week (again, due to state testing) preparing for, participating in, and reflecting on Career Day, which will take place on Thursday, May 8. On this day students will be attending four break-out sessions to learn about four different careers. Possible questions to ask students: Which careers might you be interested in pursuing and why? What was the most interesting career you learned about on Career Day? What other questions do you have about careers, in general?

April 27 - May 2 Careers

April 27 - May 2 Careers - Students will spend this shortened academic week (due to state testing) exploring careers in general and specific careers they may be interested in pursuing. Students will also be reviewing financial literacy skills, such as budgeting, and using that knowledge to help narrow down careers they might be interested in. Possible questions to ask students: Which careers might you be interested in pursuing and why? Which careers did you choose to view for career day and why? What questions do you have about finances and budgeting?