Humanities Curriculum Map Humanities integrates Language Arts with Social Sciences, and encourages students to develop an awareness of themselves, their community, and the world. Through the exploration of human cultures, students read, write, discuss, and think critically about our past, present and future. During Skills and Seminar students master skills related to reading and writing. During Project Block they apply those skills to essential questions that draw on specific content areas within the social sciences. These driving questions and specific content areas rotate on a 3 year cycle so that the entire Middle School is exploring the same areas each year. Nonetheless, the learning experience is personalized for each student with regard to the particular skills on which the teachers choose to focus, choice regarding research topics, and the modality of sharing one s work, as well the choice of materials used during the research process. Skills are the focus of learning, even while exploring specific content. Skills related to learning research, communication, history, geography, civics, etc. are Common Core aligned and personalized to each child through the Alt School Milestones provided on the platform. A full list of the skills related to each of these areas is available upon request.
Year 1 Theme: Identity / Ancient Civilizations By the end of the year students will understand. The study of the continuum of human civilization reveals the ideals, beliefs, values, and institutions of its people. Culture is a way of life of a group of people who share similar beliefs and customs. Global societies are diverse, creating varied perspectives, contributions, and challenges. People are affected by environmental, economic, social, cultural, and civic concerns. Culture is both a unifying and divisive force in human relations. Geography influences needs, culture, opportunities, choices, interests, and skills.people develop systems to manage conflict and create order. Timeline of the Ancient World "Who Am I? Who are We?" Sub Themes Essential Questions Content Areas Values, Beliefs, & Rituals How do we form and shape our identities? What makes each of us distinct and unique? How does each society and civilization create and/or limit who we can be? What did the ancient Egyptians believe? How did these beliefs affect the daily lives of ancient Egyptians? How did the NIle River impact daily life, culture, and beliefs in Ancient Egypt? Egypt - Nile River Valley Roles & Responsibilities Individual & Society Judaism & Identity (Rise of Monotheism) How can a person s decisions and actions change his/her life? How did the decisions of leaders (Caesar, Alexander The Great, Emperor Qin) impact the destiny and identity of their civilizations? How did the Qin Dynasty unite China, and create a new identity for its subjects? What expectations does a society place upon each of us? How do these expectations both help and hinder the individual? How did the Caste System create both order and suffering in ancient India? Why did individuals in the Caste System not rebel against their station in life? What are the individual s responsibility to the community as well as the community s responsibility to the individual? How do we balance the needs of society and the needs of the individual? How did different Greek city-states value the individual's relationship to the group? What factors led to the rise of Monotheism? What existed before? How is the concept of a universal, singular God central to Judaism? China - Major Dynasties Indus Valley - Hierarchy & Caste in Indus Valley Ancient Greece - Athens vs. Sparta Fertile Crescent/Land of Canaan
By the end of the year students will understand. Year 2 Theme: Change /Medieval History to Modern History /Europe Decisions concerning the allocation and use of economic resources impact individuals and groups. Scientific and technological developments affect people s lives and the environment, and transform societies. Progress is defined by cultural interpretation. Conflict resolution can involve aggression, compromise, cooperation, and change. Timeline of European History How have you changed in your life? Is growth possible without change? Is change possible without some pain or loss? Sub Themes Essential Questions Content Areas Continuity & Change Conflict & Resolution (or War & Peace) How do values and beliefs change over time? What factors led to the rebirth of knowledge and the arts in the Renaissance? How has the Renaissance influenced the society we live in today? Is conflict inevitable? Can we ever live in peace? How have people attempted to cooperate and promote collective good and prosperity? Is utopia possible on earth? How do the birth and growth of nation states lead to both conflict and stability in Europe? What role do human wants vs. human needs play in the great European conflicts? Revolution Does real lasting change require a revolution? Is change always good? Can change happen too quickly? What is technology, and how have technological innovations changed the course of history? How is technology changing the world we live in today? Agents of Change Is change evolutionary or revolutionary? Can you have change without pain? In the face of adversity, what causes some individuals to prevail while others fail? From Dark Ages to Age of Enlightenment The Crusades? Hundred Years War? The Formation of Nation States & Rivalries. Scientific Revolution and Industrial Revolutions / Creation of Commercial Markets & Technological Innovation Great Individuals throughout European history Roots of & Creation of Israel (The Birth of Zionism) How did the treatment of Jews in medieval and early modern Europe lead to the growth of Zionism? Crusades, Edict of Expulsion, Dreyfus Affair, Theodor Herzl & the need for a homeland
Year 3 Theme: Community/American History By the end of the year students will understand. The US Constitution - federal system, checks and balances, Bill of Rights - is central to the American identity and an inspiration to the world The unique role of America as a world power and leader American geography and natural resources have been central to its rise and role as a world power America s diversity and history as a nation of immigrants has been a source of strength and division Racial inequalities and struggle, past and present The American Dream is a unique aspiration, and inspired millions around the world to come here -- but that dream has not been accessible to all Individuals and groups struggled to make American democracy a reality Timeline of American History What does it mean to be a member of a community? What makes KYMS a community? How can we deepen and strengthen the KYMS Community? Is it possible to have a community within a community? Why are rules necessary in a community? How have communities established rules and norms by which they live? How might these rules and norms include and exclude others? When and how do rules change? Possible Sub Themes Possible Essential Questions Possible Content Beginnings & Traditions How do communities form? How does a community establish rules and norms by which they will live? How did tradition impact the Founding Fathers? In what way did tradition and values play a role on both sides of the slavery and suffrage debates? What role do traditions play in our own lives as Americans, and as Jews? What contemporary community with traditions, other than your own, might you want to explore? Individual & Group How do we balance the needs of the society and the needs of the individual? How does the United States balance the needs of the states and that of the federal government? How does the Bill of Rights protect the individual from government abuses? When is it right for the individual to sacrifice on behalf of the community, or for the community to make an exception for one of its individuals? Community & Conflict What causes communities to come into conflict? Is division and conflict inevitable? Is resolution or harmony possible? Constitution, Checks & Balances, Federalism Bill of Rights Civil War & Continuing Struggles Around Race Community & Change How does a community deal with new and unexpected challenges? How have people (individuals, groups) struggled to improve their communities? Is stability or change better for a long-lasting community? New Deal, Great Society, Suffrage & Civil Rights Movements
America & Holocaust Why did so many people and nations ignore the plight of Jews in the Holocaust? How did the great powers address the Holocaust? Should or could President Roosevelt have done more? What was America s role in the Nuremberg Trials? Voyage of the St. Louis, Roosevelt, America and the Nuremberg Trials