Grades 6, 7 & 8 Social Studies

6th, 7th and 8th Grade Social Studies.

March and April 2025  

6th Grade Social Studies: In March we finished our work on Greece. This period incorporates the
beginning of this land, its geography, and its people. We worked on Athens, Sparta, wars, and we
finished work on Greek philosophers, such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, as well as Alexander the
Great. The students did a great mini-project on the Greeks. They chose a topic from their art,
architecture, medicine, philosophy or literature, wrote on the topic and put it on a small poster with
pictures. Before Easter vacation we hope to begin work on the Roman Empire, which will coincide with
Religion class, especially the Christian period. At intervals we will work on other parts of the world,
such as, China, and Africa, which will coincide with International Night at school. In the class, we read
one or two lessons per week, and the students are required to put vocabulary and questions for every
lesson in their notebooks, which needs to be completed every week. At the end of the quarter there is a
notebook check and a grade for all of the work that was requested for that quarter. At intervals the
students have maps to fill out, as well as quizzes and a test. Videos are shown for every lesson which
corresponds with the work in the book. The student’s book is also on-line so that the student can access
the material at home as well as use the book in school. We hope to do a Social Studies project with
regard to the Roman Empire and the beginning of Christianity.

7th Grade Social Studies: In March we finished the Revolutionary War, and went on to discuss in Topic 4
the beginning of the North American nation, such as material on the new government, the Constitution,
and the rights and duties of citizens. The students watched a video of George Washington and wrote a
long paragraph on him. We are beginning to work on Topic 5 and the people who developed our
government, starting with men such as George Washington, John Adams and Alexander Hamilton. We
will continue this topic into April, which will have material on the development of our nation as people
progress beyond the thirteen colonies. In class, we read one or two lessons a week, and the students
are required to put vocabulary and questions for every lesson in their notebooks, which needs to be
completed every week. At the end of the quarter there is a notebook check and a grade for all of the
work that was requested for that quarter that needed to be put in the notebook. At intervals the
students have maps to fill out, as well as quizzes and a test. Videos are shown for every lesson which
corresponds with the work in the book. The student’s book is also on-line so that the student can access
the material at home as well as use the book in school.

8th Grade Social Studies: In March we finished the discussion on the Reconstruction Period in our
country in Topic 9. A video on Abraham Lincoln was shown, and the students took notes, and wrote a
long paragraph on this material. We then completed Lesson 10, which was diverse lessons on trains, life
in the West, the plight of Native Americans, business and finally new technology. The students did a
great job on mini project on a new invention. They had their choice of many of them, such as, the light
bulb, train, airplane, typewriter and so forth. They went to the library twice, where they did research
from the encyclopedias, discussed their material with others in the group and then did his or her own
mini-project on the invention he or she chose. These projects will be in the hallway for a time. In
Lesson 11 we will watch videos on the immigration of many groups who come to the United States. At
present and into April we will discuss the Progressive Era. After Easter vacation, we will move on to the
First World War. In class, we read one or two lessons per week, and the students are required to put
vocabulary and questions for every lesson in their notebooks, which needs to be completed every week.
At the end of the quarter there is a notebook check and a grade for all of the work that was requested
for that quarter. At intervals the students have maps to fill out, as well as quizzes and a test. Videos are
shown for every lesson which corresponds with the work in the book. The student’s book is also on-line
so that the student can access the material at home as well as use the book in school.

You may access your child's parent portal https://parentportal.eschooldata.com/buffalodiocese

Ms. Catherine McLaughlin    kmclaughlin@cawb.org

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“History is a relentless master. It has no present, only the past rushing into the future. To try to hold fast is to be swept aside.”
John F. Kennedy
My 6th, 7th and 8th graders will begin a journey exploring our past in order to understand our future. The past needs to be examined in order to make the best possible future for ourselves and the world around us.
In 7th grade Social Studies, students will embark on a journey to understand our beginning. Students will begin the year reviewing geography and writing skills. Geography is an important part of Social Studies. As we progress, students will emerge themselves into the world of the 1500s.  Students will explore Native American cultures throughout North and South America. We will explore how these cultures were able to exist independently before European invaders arrived and shook up the world as they knew it. European exploration and colonization will be introduced to students, and they will question the intentions of the European explorers. Included in 7th grade Social Studies is the creation of the English 13 colonies and how colonial life has shaped American cultures and the need for democratic values in our society. Students will understand the value of government and question freedom not only in our country but other countries of the world.  The importance of freedom, choice, and individual liberties will be addressed throughout the year as well. Students will discover the evolving United States as it began, from 13 British colonies to Nation torn apart by a Civil War. The academic year will come to end as the Nation must heal itself following the Civil War.
8th grade Social Studies resumes where 7th grade has ended. The school year begins with a review of the Civil War, examining the chaos and destruction left within the South. As we discuss Reconstruction, students will emerge themselves in the politics and daily life of rebuilding the Nation. Students will understand the continual struggle that all Americans dealt with during this difficult time. 8th grade Social Studies focuses on more current events in American history. Students will discover how our Nation expanded to include 50 states.  They will analyze the shift from an Isolationist Nation to an Imperialist nation to the Super Power of a Nation that exists today.  Students will relive life during the good eras, the struggling eras and war time eras. Students will gain a better understanding of how and why we are the Nation that we have become.
 
Ms. Kate McLaughlin   kmclaughlin@cawb.org

PARENTS CAN KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THEIR CHILD'S PROGRESS THROUGH THE PARENT PORTAL AVAILABLE AT ESCHOOL DATA. THE PORTAL IS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE FOLLOWING LINK:

PARENT PORTAL: https://parentportal.eschooldata.com/buffalodiocese