Junior High Social Studies- Ms. Kucich

Junior high social studies (Grades 7 and 8) is a two year United States History & Government course, as proscribed by the State of New York and the Diocese of Rockville Centre.  The seventh grade course begins in antiquity with an exploration of how early man arrived in North America.  The course culminates with a study of the Civil War.  The eighth grade course begins with Reconstruction and ends in the present.  In addition to content knowledge, the focus of both courses is skills acquisition.  Students will learn to interpret different types of maps, read primary and secondary source documents, decipher charts and graphs, and analyze political cartoons.  Particular emphasis is placed on geography, civics, basic economics, and making connections over time.

The seventh grade course commences with map skills and United States geography.  From there, students quickly move on to an analysis of differing theories as to how early man arrived in North America, and the evolution of various Native American civilizations.  Then, students explore the arrival of Europeans to the Western Hemisphere during the Age of Exploration.  Students then proceed to study the original thirteen British colonies in their distinct geographic regions.  From there, the focus shifts to the factors that led to the American Revolution and the events of the war itself.  The course then naturally turns to civics as students learn the Constitution of the United States-in essence, how their government works.  Then, students explore the precedents and problems of the early republic.  The next unit is the Jeffersonian Era, where student pay particular attention to the Louisiana Purchase and the ensuing journey of Lewis, Clark, Sacagawea, and the Corps of Discovery.  The course then turns to the War of 1812 and the reaffirmation of American independence. Students explore Jacksonian Democracy, manifest destiny, and westward expansion.  As the nation grows, so do the deep divides of sectionalism, pushing the country toward the Civil War.  The course ends with a study of that war.

The eighth grade course begins with an evaluation of how the nation began to reunify during the period of Reconstruction.  Thereafter, the class studies the transformative effect of the Transcontinental Railroad, and how it ushers in the Age of Industrialization, Urbanization, and Immigration.  Then, students analyze the problems brought about by these changes and the ensuing reforms of the Progressives.  Then, the focus turns to international relations and U.S. imperialism.  The class goes on to study World War I, and how it alters the position of the United States in world politics.  Students go on to explore the economic impact of the Roaring '20's and the Great Depression.  World War II is then analyzed at length, as its outcome alters the political landscape to the present day.  Students evaluate the Korean War and Cold War, followed by the Civil Rights Movement, and the war in Vietnam.  Finally, the course commences with an overview of the Modern Era.

Jacqueline Kucich is a New York State certified teacher of seconday education and an attorney.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts in government and politics, a Juris Doctor, and an Advanced Certificate in Secondary Education, Social Studies.  If you have any further questions, please contact her at [email protected]