SOCIAL STUDIES

 

MS601  Humanities Social Studies                                                           Grade Placement:                          6

                                                                                                                                Prerequisite:                 Gifted and

                                                                                                                                                  Talented Identification

This course is integrated with ME601 and MR601 as a single block of instruction.  The Humanities program is built around the examination of universal themes and integrates the study of history, literature, writing, and fine arts.  The curriculum, which includes extensive computer use, offers students the opportunity to utilize higher order thinking skills as they produce sophisticated products and presentations.  The social studies topics include world cultures and civilizations.

 

MS622, MS621, MS631  Social Studies                                                   Grade Placement:                          6

In Grade 6, students study people and places of the contemporary world.  Societies selected for study are chosen from the following regions:  Europe; Russia and the Eurasian republics; North, Middle, and South America; Southwest Asia/North Africa; Sub-Saharan Africa; South, East, and Southeast Asia; Australia; and the Pacific Realm.  Students describe the influence of individuals and groups on historical and contemporary events in those societies.  In addition, they compare institutions common to all societies, such as government, education and religious institutions.  They identify the locations and geographic characteristics of selected societies; their different ways of organizing economic and governmental systems; and the nature of citizenship in various societies.  Students explain how the level of technology affects the development of the selected societies; they understand the concept of limited and unlimited government; and identify different points of view about selected events.

 

MS701  Humanities Social Studies                                                           Grade Placement:                          7

                                                                                                                                Prerequisite:                 Gifted and

                                                                                                                                                  Talented Identification

This course is integrated with ME701 and MR701 as a single block of instruction.  The Humanities program is built around the examination of universal themes and integrates the study of history, literature, writing, and fine arts.  The curriculum, which includes extensive computer use, offers students the opportunity to utilize higher order thinking skills as they produce sophisticated products and presentations.  The social studies topics include Texas history, the frontier, Indians, and El Paso history.

 

MS722, MS721, MS731  Social Studies                                                   Grade Placement:                          7

In Grade 7, students study the history of Texas from early times to the present.  Topics include the cultures of Native Americans in Texas and the eras of mission building, colonization, revolution, republic, and statehood.  Each era focuses on key individuals, events, issues, and their impact on Texas.  Students identify and describe regions of Texas, population and urbanization patterns, cultural diversity, and the structure of state government.  The influence of the United States Constitution on the Texas Constitution and the rights and responsibilities of Texas citizens are examined.  Students analyze the impact of scientific discoveries and technological innovations on the development of Texas.

 

MS801  Humanities Social Studies                                                           Grade Placement:                          8

                                                                                                                                Prerequisite:                 Gifted and

                                                                                                                                                  Talented Identification

This course is integrated with ME801 and MR801 as a single block of instruction.  The Humanities program is built around the examination of universal themes and integrates the study of history, literature, writing, and fine arts.  The curriculum, which includes extensive computer use, offers students the opportunity to utilize higher order thinking skills as they produce sophisticated products and presentations.  The social studies topics include American history up to the Civil War period, United States Government, and economics.

 

MS822, MS821, MS8311  Social Studies                                                 Grade Placement:                          8

In Grade 8, students study the history of the United States from the early colonial period through Reconstruction.  They focus on historical, political, economic, and social events and issues related to this time period.  These include American beliefs and principles reflected in the United States Constitution and other historical documents; the economic factors that influenced the development of America; challenges of the early Republic; westward expansion; major reform movements of the 19th century; sectionalism; Civil War; and Reconstruction.  Students describe the physical characteristics of the United States and their impact on past and present population distributions and settlement patterns.  They also study the impact of scientific discoveries and technological innovations on the development of the United States.