MYP Subject Area Overview

Year 1 – Beginnings of Human Society to the Emergence of the First Global Age (1450) – Represents the first five Eras of the National Standards

Students in sixth grade will continue to expand the knowledge, skills, and understandings acquired in the fourth and fifth grade studies of North Carolina and the United States by connecting those studies to their first formal look at a study of the world. Sixth graders will focus heavily on the discipline of geography by using the themes of location, place, movement, human-environment interaction, and region to understand the emergence, expansion, and decline of civilizations and societies from the beginning of human existence to the Age of Exploration.

Students will take a systematic look at the history and culture of various world regions including the development of economic, political and social systems through the lens of change and continuity. As students examine the various factors that shaped the development of civilizations, societies, and regions in the ancient world, they will examine both similarities and differences among these areas. A conscious effort should be made to integrate various civilizations, societies, and regions from every continent (Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas). During this study, students will learn to recognize and interpret the “lessons of history;” those transferable understandings that are supported throughout time by recurring themes and issues.

Additional information about the Year 1 (grade 6) Social Studies Essential Standards can be found at:
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/acre/standards/new-standards/social-studies/6.pdf

Year 2 – The Great Global Convergence (1400-1800) to the Present – Represents the last five Eras of the National Standards

Students in seventh grade will continue to expand upon the knowledge, skills and understanding acquired in the sixth grade examination of early civilizations. Seventh graders study the world from the Age of Exploration to contemporary times in order to understand the implications
of increased global interactions. The focus will remain on the discipline of geography by using the themes of location, place, movement, human-environmental interaction and region to understand modern societies and regions.

This course will guide students through patterns of change and continuity with a focus on conflict and cooperation, economic development, population shifts, political thought and organization, cultural values and beliefs and the impact of environment over time. Through an investigation of the various factors that shaped the development of societies and regions in the modern world and global interactions, students will examine both similarities and differences. A conscious effort should be made to include an integrated study of various societies and regions from every continent (Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americans and Australia).

Additional information about the Year 2 (grade 7) Social Studies Essential Standards can be found at:

Historical study connects students to the enduring themes and issues of our past and equips them to meet the challenges they will face as citizens in a state, nation and an interdependent world. Pursuant to the passage of House Bill 1032 An Act Modifying the History and
Geography Curricula in the Public Schools of North Carolina, the new essential standards for eighth grade will integrate United States history with the study of North Carolina history. This integrated study helps students understand and appreciate the legacy of our democratic republic
and to develop skills needed to engage responsibly and intelligently as North Carolinians. This course will serve as a stepping stone for more intensive study in high school.
Students in eighth grade will continue to build on the fourth and fifth grade introductions to North Carolina and the United States by embarking on a more rigorous study of the historical foundations and democratic principles that continue to shape our state and nation.

Students will begin with a review of the major ideas and events preceding the foundation of North Carolina and the United States. The main focus of the course will be the critical events, personalities, issues, and developments in the state and nation from the Revolutionary Era to
contemporary times. Inherent in this study is an analysis of the relationship of geography, events and people to the political, economic, technological, and cultural developments that shaped our existence in North Carolina and the United States over time. Although the major focus is state and national history, efforts should also be made to include a study of local history.

The standards are organized around five strands: history, geography and environmental literacy, economics and financial literacy, civics and governance and culture. The strands should not be taught in isolation, but woven together in an integrated study that helps to tell the complete
story of our state and nation. Additionally, the course includes two types of essential standards – one that identifies the skills that students should master during the course of the year and another that identifies the knowledge and understandings. The skills should be taught within
the context of applying knowledge and understandings of the creation and development of North Carolina and the United States.

Additional information about the Year 2 (grade 7) Social Studies Essential Standards can be found at:
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/acre/standards/new-standards/social-studies/8.pdf