As part of our curricular commitment to project-based learning, our social studies curriculum is divided into three overarching themes. The first theme this year, “Communities”, was studied by the entire school. The second and third themes of each year are classroom specific and are developed through a combination of student interest (emergent learning) and the Voluntary State Curriculum. Here is a run-down of our classroom based themes for this second trimester of the 2007-2008 school year.

Kindergarten will be studying animals during this trimester. We’ll learn about animals of the land, water, and sky and the ways in which they are uniquely suited for their habitats. We will also examine animals in folk and fairy tales from around the world.

First graders will study “Making Things”. They have become interested in what people-made things a community needs and how those things are made. We will involve math, science, social studies and literature to find out about how to make a variety of different kinds of things that people need or want.

Second graders will study Africa. Africa… it’s not a country!  Second Grade will be exploring the diversity of African countries and culture through food, dance, art, maps, books and so much more.

Third grade will study the history of Native American culture.  We will learn from tribes originating from the United States and go to the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.  We hope to learn about art and traditions from the past and present that may be different from our own.

Fourth grade’s second trimester thematic unit will be Animals.  We will be studying many different types of animals, their habitats, and the environment.  As part of the unit we will be deciding on and caring for a class pet, writing a research paper on an animal, taking a trip to the zoo, and making paper mache animals.

Fifth grade will study the Revolutionary War. We’ll partcicipate in drama, debates and more projects as we learn United States geography and study the birth of this nation from the opposing perspectives of our last King and our first President…by George, we think they’ll get it!

Sixth and seventh graders will study the United States Constitution. Over the course of this theme, students will develop an understanding of the basic ideas that underlie our Constitution and how our Constitution impacts our world and our lives today.