The social studies curriculum emphasizes age-appropriate units in the areas of civics, history and social studies for all of our primary learners. The units are instructed as either an independent topic or in conjunction with related topics in other core subject areas. All units of study are standards aligned.

Fifth grade students study:

• The Age of Exploration
• Encounters in the Americas
• 13 British Colonies/Division of the Colonies
• War for Independence
• The Constitution
• Westward Movement/Industrial Revolution
• Civil War/Reconstruction

Sixth grade students study:

• Early Civilizations & Cultures
• Early Civilizations in Africa & Asia
• Mediterranean Empires
• The Medieval World
• Renaissance (Time permitting)
• Map Skills and Current Events

Tentative special activities to further experience and learn about these events include field trips and special school events:

• In Grade 5, the children participate in a Civil War Encampment at the Intermediate school.
• In Grade 6, all of the students participate in their very own Renaissance Fair on the school grounds. 
• In addition, some classes use the Junior Achievement Program to supplement social studies in the area of economics.

The following instructional techniques are used to help teach students fundamental social studies lessons:

• Reading in the content areas
• Completing study guides to find important information
• Cooperative learning and paired reading    
• Direct instruction
• Teacher/student directed learning
• Group discussion
• Map reading
• Internet discovery and instruction
• Guest speakers
• Field trips