Jr. /Sr. High Social Studies

 

Seventh/Eighth Grade Geography:

            The study of geography should give students a firm grasp of the place and terrain that surrounds them; the patterns of human development around the world; and the interactions of people, places and environments.  A geographically informed person sees, understands, and appreciates the connections among people, places and environments.

 

Seventh/Eighth Grade U.S. History:

            Students study the history of the United States from 1850 to present.  Student use key concepts of chronology, causality, conflict, and change to show connections among patterns of historical change and continuity. 

 

World History:

            World History is a survey course, which focuses on the history of the major cultures and societies of the world.  Historical perspective is provided on major world events, movements and conditions.  This course enables the student to understand the world through exploration of histories and cultures of past and present societies. World History gives students the opportunity to explore recurring themes of human experience common to civilizations around the globe from ancient to contemporary times. This class focuses on four main eras: Ancient Civilization; Exploration and Colonization; Imperialism and World Wars; and The last 50 years.

 

United States History:

            United States History is a survey class covering the Colonial Origins of the United States, the Revolution, frontier, slavery, Civil War, Industrial Revolution, Native Americans, imperialism, Depression, World War II, the Cold War, and Viet Nam up to the present era.  This class provides students with a framework for studying political, social, economic, and cultural issues, and for analyzing the impact these issues have on American society.

 

Basic Economics:

            This is a survey course covering economics from Micro to Macro. The course begins with a basic vocabulary and continues to build on each successive unit. A free market economy demands the understanding of supply and demand, the invisible hand, inflation, leading economic indicators and consumer confidence. We also study the role of the government, labor unions and the impact of the Federal Reserve. The stock market will be covered in depth using Internet technology, each student building a mock portfolio and tracking their assets.

In addition to the big picture we will get even bigger as we study international trade, trade agreements, tariffs, spheres of influence and immigration. We also narrow our focus on small business, entrepreneurship, hiring and firing, business/labor relations, unions and strikes and their resolutions.

 

 

 

Alaska History:

            Alaska History class begins with the study of different Alaska native groups before moving on to the Russian Era.  The Russian Era focuses on land possession and transactions that occurred prior to the Purchase of Alaska in 1867, Vitas Bering, and the Russian –American Company.  Next, students study the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, 1971 the history of land claims in Alaska, the thirteen Native regional corporations, and 1991 stocks.  The Alaska National Interest Land Conservation Act is also explored by examining how public lands and National Wildlife Reserves are allocated and what role Federal Government Agencies have in this process.  Areas of major economic contribution, ranging from the harvest of sea otter pelts during the Russian Era to the current day Prudoe Bay oil industry are also studied.  The last segment of the class is spent examining WWII and post WWII events, beginning with the Aleut Evacuation, Alaska’s oil and crab boom, the subsistence dilemma and other problems Alaska is currently facing.  Each student is expected to complete a project to demonstrate the knowledge they have gained regarding Alaska’s history and its people.

 

U.S. Government:

            This course focuses on the United States’ founding principles and beliefs.  Students will study the structure, functions, and powers of government at the national, state, and local levels.  Students will gain knowledge of the United States Constitution, Branches of Government, foreign affairs, social problems, governmental policies and democratic values.  Students will develop the skills needed to be informed citizens in a democracy and identify fundamental American principles.

 

Aleut I:

            Students begin this class by exploring the history of the Unangan Language and are introduced to its sound system and basic Unangan Language Conversation practicing conversation in the Aleut language. Students will be able to identify nouns and verbs to their vocabulary.

Emphasis is given to learning about traditional hands-on to Aleut arts and crafts throughout the entirety of this course.  Students learn about, harpoons, Kentwood hats, qayux and klisax and their uses.

**Social Studies credit may also be given for this course.