The middle school history classrooms are dynamic environments full of lively discussions and hands-on activities. Students develop critical thinking skills through Socratic learning and gain deeper understanding through experiential, real-world projects. Curriculum is content-rich; students study topics in depth rather than by cursory exposure to a myriad of topics. In order to broaden students’ understanding and appreciation of the global community and their nation’s role and responsibility in it, they explore ancient civilizations, western and non-western cultures, and the history of the United States.
History students become historians as they progressively master the skills which enable them first to understand the past, then to evaluate and interpret it. In the process, they also wear the hats of archaeologists, political scientists, economists, geographers, and art historians. Cross-curricular themes and activities with language arts, art history, science, math, and music reinforce students’ historical understanding.