February 22, 2010

News from Social Studies ...

     Grade 6 is exploring the rich histories of ancient India and China.  The materials include a look at the faiths of Hinduism and Buddhism, the Chinese system of writing, class structures, emperors, the teachings of Confucius, and the geographical features of Asia.  Our next unit will shift student attention to ancient Greece, where we will examine the culture, structure of government, arts, religious beliefs, and historical figures of the region.

     Grade 7 has completed their work on the events preceding the Revolutionary War.  They are able to describe in detail the actions of the British Parliament that created colonial resentment.  The classes have studied such legislation as the Proclamation of 1763, the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act, and Townshend Acts.  Students spent an equal amount of time examining colonial leaders in politics and arts who rallied opposition and sparked the opening shots of the war. 
     We will soon turn our attention to a study of the early battle tactics for each participant.  Later in the unit, the students will examine the reasons for the colonial victory (including the turning of the tide at Saratoga), and the early documents and philosophies, written during the period, that to this day define America to the world. 

     Grade 8 students are completing their studies of the growth of industry and organized labor at the beginning of the twentieth century.  They are currently examining the push and pull factors that drew many immigrants to the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  They will go further to analyze how immigrants adjusted to their new lives, the reasons for the growth of anti-immigrant sentiments, and the rise of cities (complete with a discussion of the hazards of urban life and solutions sought by city planners) during this period of unprecedented population growth. 

Best wishes,
Mr. M. McLoughlin

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