Anchorage School District
District
Middle School Curriculum
Middle School Social Studies is a time for exploration. Below you can click on the course title and get a brief description of each course. You may also click on the Learning Outcomes for more specific information for each course.
Grade | Resources | Status/Textbook |
|---|---|---|
Grade 6: U.S. history
“The Emergence of Modern America” to “Contemporary United States (1968 to Present).” Includes civics and an emphasis on historiography. | The focus in these grades is on developmentally appropriate skills and content in connection with the things students encounter in their daily lives. Comparing and contrasting here with far away and now with long ago will introduce geographic and historical dimensions to students. Core themes introduced include the ideas of justice, responsibility, diversity, conflict/cooperation, property, place, human/environment relationships, location, participation, authority, and freedom. The program is tied closely to literature and the language arts. Social studies instruction is presented when learner readiness for the ideas is appropriate. | Adopted 2010 |
Grade 7: World geography
World geography by regions; includes Alaska geography and an introduction to ancient civilizations. | Alaska geography is introduced in elementary programs. The Alaska Studies high school course includes Alaska geography that builds upon the middle school foundation. In middle school, the starting point for a study of the world is Alaska. Geography skills and concepts are introduced here and reinforced throughout the year. Alaska geography is introduced in elementary programs. The Alaska Studies high school course includes Alaska geography that builds upon the middle school foundation. In middle school, the starting point for a study of the world is Alaska. Geography skills and concepts are introduced here and reinforced throughout the year. | Adopted 2005 |
Grade 8: U.S. history
"Three Worlds Meet" to "Pre-Civil War." Includes civics and an emphasis on historical inquiry. | In this course, students are introduced to historiography, which is the use of chronological thinking in conjunction with historical comprehension, historical analysis, and interpretation to conduct historical research for decision-making and the analysis of historical issues. This course provides a foundation of American historical Era 1 - Three Worlds Meet (1400s) through the Era 4 - Expansion and Reform (1860s) and civics. Geography, economics, government, and the humanities are used a basis for examining the United States during these historical time periods. | Adopted 2005 |