Social Studies Update
Mr. Hayes, High School:
In American History I, students have recently completed a unit on early U.S. immigration and westward expansion. We will conclude the school year by exploring the industrialization of the U.S. Meanwhile, Sociology students have just completed a study on Civil Rights & Equality. The class is now focusing on Character, Integrity, and Leadership, examining how individual actions impact those around us. In Iowa History, students are finishing the school year by learning about Iowa's natural resources and the importance of preserving them for future generations.
Mr. Cole, High School:
The American History III class has concluded their Cold War Unit, which covered topics ranging from espionage in Russia to the wars in Korea and Vietnam. Over the next week, students will learn about the Civil Rights Movement in the United States before taking a comprehensive final exam.
In Government, students are currently studying the Executive Branch, exploring its responsibilities and privileges. They have already covered the Legislature, the Constitution, and America’s Colonial past.
Mr. Bryant, 7th Grade Social Studies:
7th Grade Social Studies emphasizes comparing historical events to contemporary issues, analyzing global current events and exploring potential solutions. Throughout the 4th quarter, we cover the topics of Conflict and Peace, Economics, and Human Rights. Students were introduced to essential economic topics such as supply and demand, inflation, and wise economic decision making. They applied these concepts practically by using supply and demand to create their own restaurant menus and develop enticing descriptions.
During the Conflict and Peace unit, students examined the causes and effects of major U.S. conflicts, analyzing their fighting style in each conflict and their impact on the current global situation. We discussed connections between events from World War II and the Cold War and how they relate to modern conflicts in places like Israel and Ukraine. Additionally, students engaged in a challenging multi-day simulation where they utilized political tactics and diplomacy to run their own country and avoid international conflict.
In our final unit, the Human Rights Unit, students identify historical and contemporary groups that have experienced inequality. We investigated the origins of inequality and discrimination, focusing on how segregation did not create a "separate but equal" way of living, but instead perpetuated more discrimination. To conclude the year, we will examine the power of nuclear energy and its associated risks.
Mrs. McCoy, 8th Grade History:
In 8th grade History class, we focus on the founding of our country, democratic principles, civic responsibilities of citizens, and the structure and functions of the U.S. government and Iowa’s government. Our units are: Age of Exploration, English Colonial Regions, Life in the Colonies, American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, Constitutional Convention, The Constitution, Launching the New Government, Jefferson and Jackson Eras, Life in the North and South, and Manifest Destiny
Eighth graders have had a good year in History class and we are still working to learn the last bit of our content. We will take our final exam soon and I am excited to see how students do—I am expecting great scores!
