• 6-8 Social Sciences

    Our Work

    To create critical-thinking, globally aware students who possess the intellectual skills, civic values, and content knowledge to fully participate and lead in a democratic and increasingly interconnected international community.  

    Exposure to Social Studies content and skills provides students with the opportunity to develop literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills needed. All students should enjoy Social Studies instruction that is meaningful and connected to both standards and students’ strengths, needs and interests, integrated and tied to concepts and standards, values-based to grow civic participation, challenging and encouraging students’ inquiry, active and engaging (Intellectual discourse and problem-solving).

    Social Sciences By Grade

    Sixth grade focuses on the Western Hemisphere. Topics of study include the first settlers of the Western Hemisphere. Meso- and South American Empires, Colonization and Genocide, Resistance and Independence and Sociological and Ecological Justice. 

    Seventh grade will look at the history of the Eastern Hemisphere. Topics of study include Early Humans and Civilizations, African Societies, Social Structures, Networks and Exchange, Land and Resources, and Globalization. 

    Eighth grade explores United States History from the colonial period through the Reconstruction and includes study of the Constitution. Topics of study include the history of race in Oregon, examining governments and civics, colonialism and consequences, resistance, revolution and resilience, power and growth, a look at what it means to be free, and empowerment through literacy. In addition, students in eighth grade engage in a Black Lives Matter week of Action.

    In addition to the texts, resources and activities hand-selected by Portland Public Schools teachers for their students, materials for supporting the Social Sciences in grades 6-8 include: 

    •   “TCI is a K-12 publishing company that creates science and social studies curriculum to enable educators to improve their ability to engage students in a diverse classroom. Our K-12 curriculum and services for educators are based on proven teaching strategies and practices that bring education to life to achieve consistent and positive classroom results. " The DBQ Project and Black History 365 are supplemental resources used in conjunction with History Alive!
    • “Learning about tribal nations in Oregon is important for all students. Each nation has a distinct origin story, worldview, and timeline of their history and contemporary context. However, much of that information has been presented to the general American public from a non-Native American perspective, filled with clichés, misconceptions and falsehoods. The ODE partnered with representatives of the nine federally recognized tribal governments in Oregon to create Essential Understandings of Native Americans in Oregon. These nine essential understandings have been created to serve as an introduction into the vast diversity of the Oregon Native American experience.”

Contacts

Anjene Bryant
Assistant Director, Middle Grades English Language Arts & Social Sciences
503-916-3847
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