I have been an avid fan of history since I myself was in middle school. I remember a day in 7th grade where I was able to answer all sorts of questions the teacher asked that nobody else knew the answers to. With this in mind, I myself almost automatically answer the above questions every day.

I realize that everybody else likely does not share the same passion for history as me and may ask the same questions I started this off with. I hope that this page will shed some light onto these questions, and what you can expect from my classes.

History is the fascinating retelling of the human story from the beginning (at least what we think is the beginning) up to the present. Understanding how we have come to where we are today is instrumental in understanding the many complex and interesting aspects of humanity. Whether it be our society, culture, or politics.

Understanding history can be confusing at times. How do we know what to believe or not to believe about history? Instead of being told what to believe, my favorite part of history class is getting to look at the material myself and getting to decide what the truth really is.

History is more than just memorizing important dates or facts for a test or quiz. Social Studies is a class where students will learn many vital 21st century skills that they will carry with them into high school, college, and the workforce.

21st Century skills that will be focused on are: 

• Critical Thinking & Creativity

• Communication & Collaboration

• Adaptability & Problem Solving

• Leadership & Decision Making

• Time Management & Self Direction
  

• Understand and explain why ancient peoples settled in the areas they did

• Evaluate cultures from across the ancient world

• Construct collaborative or individually based projects

• Create presentations representing their own cultural backgrounds

• Develop the skills to write essays for a Social Studies class

By the end of 7th Grade, students will be able to:

• Partake in a mock trial of the Boston Massacre as either witnesses, lawyers, or the jury

• Analyze primary source documents

• Begin to write essays backed with primary source evidence

• Suggest and justify reasons for why Europe explored westward and discovered the New World

• Compare and contrast Indigenous peoples before and after the European discovery of America

• Examine American history up to the Antebellum Period (1830’s)

By the end of 8th Grade, students will be able to:

• Partake in a mock trial along with negotiating a union contract for the classroom

• Present projects in class utilizing in depth research to justify positions and findings

• Write argumentative essays to convince the reader of their position

• Explore American history from the 1830’s to the 1940’s

• Analyze the lead up to the Civil War

• Argue for or against the success of Reconstruction

Each year students take part in what is called the ‘History Fair’. Students will pick a topic of their choosing (with my approval) and research their topic. Students will then create a posterboard and present them. Judges will come in and rate each grade and present winners for each grade. Winners receive awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd!

All middle school students partake each year, which gives students the opportunity to research something new each year, or to expand what they had done the year before. The choice is up to them, although I would recommend staying with the same topic.

This is a long-term project that will be done mostly at home. Handouts will be distributed towards the start of the school year. There will be check in points throughout the project to ensure everybody is on the same page and caught up.

I look forward to getting to explore these topics and more this year! If you ever have any questions, comments or concerns feel free to reach out at [email protected]. I typically check my email a few times a day between 8am - 5pm. If you do reach out, I will get back to you within 24 hours of your email.