Social Studies

The Upper School Social Studies curriculum focuses on making connections between historic and current happenings, formulating hypotheses on causes and effects of events, and understanding and tracing the path of Jewish communities around the globe. In the upper grades, ideas become more complex as students interact with ethical issues, divergent theories, and rich original source texts. Our goal is for graduates to have a solid base of facts and theory while having the tools and desire to do research and make connections on their own. The social studies program reflects the mission of the school in trying to teach students to aspire to the highest values of the Judaic heritage and the principles of American democracy.

Fifth Grade

While learning about American history, fifth grade students will be challenged to make connections between historic events. In order to do so, students are expected to formulate hypotheses related to cause and effect. Much of the fifth grade history is connected to current events and simulation based learning. Units of study include:

  • American history: colonial settlement through the signing of the Declaration of Independence
  • Revolutionary War
  • Simulation of British vs. Colonial Militia
  • American Government

“The 8th grade social studies round table was a wholly new experience for me. I feel privileged to have animatedly sparred with my smart and well informed peers.” – HMJDS Student

Sixth Grade

The theme of sixth grade Social Studies is conflict resolution. Through a close study of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights we examine how the defining principles of our nation have evolved with the growth of the country. Additionally, we analyze and apply divergent theories of conflict resolution to key events in our nation’s history. From the initial arguments over slavery in the Constitution to the Civil War and beyond, we examine how the fundamental principles established in the Bill of Rights continue to impact and shape our country. Finally, in our Holocaust unit, we examine events leading up to Hitler’s election and subsequent takeover of the country. In each of our units we examine the ethical issues raised in our subject and how conflicts both could have been and were resolved.

Units of study include:

  • Conflict dealt with under the new Constitution
  • Westward Expansion reflecting the growing divisions between the North and South
  • Civil War
  • Conflict resolution and the lead-up to the Holocaust
  • The Holocaust and our Constitution
  • The Civil Rights movement and the Bill of Rights

Seventh Grade

Seventh grade Social Studies looks at the movement of Jews from Europe to America from the Spanish Inquisition until today. Students study the multitude of reasons and factors that prompted the search for a permanent home.

Among the units of study are:

  • The first Jews in America 1492 to 1654
  • Religion, Slavery and War 1800 to 1875
  • Arrival of Eastern European Jews 1881 to 1921
  • Labor Movement and Jobs 1901 to 1930

Eighth Grade

In eighth grade, students analyze and compare religion, government, and lifestyle of the ancient world to the contemporary world. Students will create and build projects such as Babylonian Hanging Gardens and Roman cities as they demonstrate understanding of new material.

Units of study include:

  • Prehistory: We study the era of human development before written language
  • The First Civilizations: This unit includes studying the Fertile Crescent, Mesopotamia, Sumer, gods and goddesses and polytheism
  • Israelites and the Land Of Canaan: This includes early Judaism and monotheism.
  • Ancient Civilizations: Phoenician, Indian, Roman and Greek
  • Spain-5th Century to 15th Century