Social Studies Department
The Social Studies curriculum at Sam Brannan
follows a State framework:
- Seventh graders study Rome, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe
and the Americas. Knowlege and understanding extends beyond the scopes
of history, geography, economics, culture, ethics and belief systems, social
and political systems, national identity, constitutional heritage, citizenship
and current events here and now. There will be study skills, visual learning,
map and globe skills, critical thinking, and social participation. The
curriculum also includes writing, thinking and learning through literature,
primary sources, research skill development, library research and on-line
adventures of history.
- Eighth graders study colonial heritage, the Revolutionary period,
the Constitution, westward expansion, the Civil War and the Industrial
Revolution. Geography, both physical and cultural, is a part of the curriculum.
Additional skills such as note-taking, how to be an effective listener,
and goal setting are taught. Developing an appreciation for one's own cutlture
and the culture of others is another goal.
Some projects/activities:
- Colonial Faire
- Brochure projects and presentations
- Time period newspapers (with multiple perspectives)
- Bill of Rights activities
- American Indian/European Explorer presentation
- Wagon Train simulation
- Inventors Fair
- Boardgame assignments
- "Extensive Navigation" - actual making of time period navigational
and time keeping equipment
- Sacramento County History Day Project
- Newscasts from the past
- Cultural Awareness project
- Multicultural Fair
- Debate
- Mock Trial
- Skits
- Role playing of historical people and places
- Field trips, including Washington, D.C.
- Career Day (every other year)
- Treasure Map (goal setting unit)
- Community Service Project
- Human Rights Activities
- Thematic units related to C.O.R.E. studies
- Crosscultural studies in Women's History
- World Civilization research projects
- Self-assessment activities
Parents:
We appreciate all of the support that can be given from home. Students
need to know that someone cares and is willing to help. We expect parents
to take an active role in their child's education. This includes:
- Checking the binder and assignment calendar regularly.
- Helping them with homework when necessary and seeing to it that it
is completed.
- Corresponding with teachers concerning problems or conerns.
We look forward to helping students succeed and have an
experience at Sam Brannan that they will cherish for a lifetime.
