Elementary Social Studies

Students in grades K–5 learn social studies through Inquiry Journeys, a curriculum that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and active citizenship. Aligned with the Illinois Social Science Standards, Inquiry Journeys engages students in exploring history, geography, civics, and economics through meaningful questions and real-world connections. Lessons are designed to help children investigate important topics, consider multiple perspectives, and build the skills they need to understand their communities and the wider world. K-5 Inquiry Journeys Scope and Sequence

Junior High Social Studies

The Social Studies curriculum utilizes evidence based practices to support moving learning forward through inquiry and critical thinking. Students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade social studies will analyze multiple sources to inquire about historical, civic, economic, and geographical impacts on multiple cultures and regions. Students will be introduced to the inquiry process and skills of practicing questioning, using evidence, evaluating sources, and communicating conclusions. Inquiry skills are utilized to guide independent thinking and independent research to address multiple perspectives regarding human rights, politics, and economic impact on diverse societies.  Students will develop claims and utilize primary and secondary sources to support their learning of Civics, Economics, History, and Geography standards.  Students will assess historical and current events to identify how individuals and groups take action to address problems or promote change. Teachers will utilize differentiation strategies to support how students learn and develop their social studies skills. Standard based grading allows students to develop academically at an independent pace while being supported and evaluated with multiple forms of formative and summative assessments. 

Grade 6

The theme of 6th grade Social Studies is to explore how humans interact with different sources of power. Students will investigate topics that include interactions with the power of geography, government, economics, and history. Through the use of inquiry skills, students will consider the effects of human interaction with the environment, potential solutions to both global and local problems, causes of revolutions, changes caused by expansion, and the repercussions of laws and government. Students will demonstrate mastery of skills learned through the completion of formative and summative assessments.  All curriculum assessments are aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards for Social Science.

Grade 7

The theme of 7th grade Social Studies is to explore the struggle for power and freedom through “hidden stories” of oppression and resistance in the shaping of U.S. History.  Students will investigate concepts of freedom, resistance, cause and effect, change and continuity, reform, and legacy. Through the use of inquiry skills, students will consider the “why” of history through questioning, seeking evidence from multiple perspectives, drawing conclusions, and supporting claims. Students will demonstrate mastery of skills learned through the completion of formative and summative assessments.  All curriculum assessments are aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards for Social Science.

Grade 8

The theme of 8th grade Social Studies is to explore the connections to the world around us. Students will investigate topics that include modern and historical changemakers, social justice, consequences of government decisions, genocide, cultural geography, and financial literacy. Students will develop their inquiry skills to investigate how the actions of individuals and groups have an effect on themselves, others and/or the world.  Students will demonstrate mastery of skills learned through the completion of formative and summative assessments.  All curriculum assessments are aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards for Social Science. 

Visit the Standards Based GradingPage to see Performance Standards for all content areas.