Social Studies

Through social studies, children recognize themselves and others as capable and diverse individuals, responsible community members, world citizens, and stewards of the earth. Service learning, geography, mapping skills, history, anthropology, archaeology, and economics are the foundation of these studies.
Children learn about the cultural contributions of the diverse people of the world and of the United States.
While thematic units change from year to year, children enjoy a rich and varied exposure to diverse peoples, places, and cultures. Preschoolers learn about themselves and their community, while pre-kindergartners explore the diversity of our cultural backgrounds. Kindergartners discover life in a Mexican pueblo, complementing their scientific tracking of the monarch butterfly migration to Mexico. First graders study family, community, and village life. History becomes personal when seen as the story of our families’ generations. Second graders examine Colonial American history and famous African Americans, while third graders study Native Americans and the states.  Fourth graders pay particular attention to the ethical questions regarding stewardship of the earth, as raised in the study of the cloud forest. Fifth and sixth graders examine a complementary two-year cycle that studies American history one year and non-Western history another year.  The Social Studies curriculum is guided by the School-wide theme, Quaker testimonies and the standards.