Long Beach Middle School

Social Studies Department

NYS Standards

Grade 6

We would like to take this opportunity to acquaint you with the curriculum, requirements, etc. for your child in Social Studies this year.  Our efforts are aimed at helping your child reach and exceed the rigorous new state standards and at the same time prepare for the future.

In the sixth grade, the following topics will be studied:

1. Geography
2. Mesopotamia/Egypt
3. Greece
4. Rome
5. Holocaust
6. Middle Ages/Western Europe
7. Communism/Eastern Europe
8. Middle East understanding

By the year's end, students will be exposed to the following skills:

1. Map Skills - Identify using scale, key, longitude, latitude
2. Geography - Know Seven Continents, Four Oceans, Equator, Prime Meridian, Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn
3. Culture - Appreciate different cultures. Have an and appreciation for the contributions past cultures have given to present civilizations. Should also understand the impacts of various religions.
4. Environment - Understand how the environment impacts a particular region.
5. Government - Understand how present day government has been influenced by governments of past civilizations.
6. Economics - People throughout history have had to solve basic economic problems. These problems have affected the growth and development of these civilizations.
7. Writing - To be able to write a clear, well constructed essay. To be able to interpret various documents and then respond to a posed question in essay format.
8. Current Events - Students will be able to write a summary and develop an opinion of issues from the newspaper and/or magazine articles.
   
   

In order for your child to meet or exceed the state standards, and to gain the needed background to succeed in high school and/or beyond, it is imperative that you stress good work and study habits with your child. For example, get to class on time. Your child must come to class prepared, participate in class discussions, study for tests given, and complete all assigned homework or projects on time.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Grade 7

Dear Parents or Guardians,

We would like to take this opportunity to acquaint you with the curriculum, requirements, etc. for your child in Social Studies this year. Our efforts are aimed at helping your child reach and exceed the rigorous new state standards and at the same time, prepare for the future.

In the seventh grade, the following topics will be discussed:

1. Geography - Map reading, location of various places using latitude and longitude, vocabulary
2. Native Americans - Relationship between the culture of Native Americans and Europeans
3. Explorers - Impact of Europeans and European culture on North America
4. Colonial Life - Differences and similarities in colonial economic, political, and social life
5. Americans Revolution - Causes, events and results of the struggle for independence
6. U.S. Government - Origins and main features of the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights... continued on next page...
7. Evolution of a New Nation - Domestic and foreign policy decisions of our early presidents
8. Westward Expansion - Territorial growth of the United States
9. Civil War - Causes, events, and results of the War between the States
10. Reconstruction - Policies, events and effects on the reunited nation
11. Frontier/Settling of West - Indian Wars, Transcontinental Railroad, Cattle Kingdom, closing of the Open Range
12. Current Events - Students will be able to write a summary, clearly state and opinion on issues from the newspaper and/or magazine articles, and provide information to support that opinion

The following skills will be stressed and practiced throughout the year.

1. Compare and contrast
2. Analyze causes and effects of major events in American History
3. Vocabulary
4. Interpret political cartoons, documents, readings, graphs, etc.
5. Essay Writing / DBQ (document based questions)
6. Develop and support viewpoints on a variety of issues from the past and present

In order for your child to meet or exceed the state standards, and to gain the needed background to succeed in high school and/or beyond, it is imperative that you stress good work and study habits with your child.  For example, get to class on time.  Your child must come to class prepared, participate in class discussions, study for tests given, and complete all assigned homework or projects on time.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Mr. Cook
Mr. Hoffman
Mr. Jackson
Mr. Marr

Grade 8

We would like to take this opportunity to acquaint you with the curriculum, requirements, etc. for your child in Social Studies this year.  Our efforts are aimed at helping your child reach and exceed the rigorous new state standards and at the same time prepare for the future.  
   

In the 8th grade, the following topics will be studied:

1. Government
2. Changing Economy/Industrialization
3. Growth of corporations
4. Rise of labor unions
5. Interdependence of
6. Changing Society
7. Immigration
8. Growth of cities
9. Progressive Period
10. Imperialism/ U.S. becomes a world power
11. Major events of the 20th century
12. World War I
13. Roaring 20s
14. Great Depression
15. World War II
16. Cold War to present (including Korean War, Vietnam, Gulf War, decline of communism, etc.)

Throughout the year students will be exposed to the following skills:

1. Map Skills - Students should be able to locate area, read and interpret maps
2. Cause and Effect - Students should be able to explain the causes of major events in American History and the effects of those events on society, the economy and the government.
3. Compare and Contrast - Students should be able to explain the similarities and the differences among points of view on major issues related to the United States
4. Essay Writing - Students should be able to provide an expanded explanation with support or persuasion in an essay format
5. Interpret - Students should be able to interpret graphs, cartoons, readings, diagrams, etc.
6. Follow Directions- Students should be able to follow clearly written or explained directions.
   
   

In order for your child to meet or exceed the state standards, and to gain the needed background to succeed in high school and/or beyond, it is imperative that you stress good work and study habits with your child.  For example, get to class on time. Your child must come to class prepared, participate in class discussions, study for tests given, and complete all assigned homework or projects on time.
   
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.