The Montclair Public Schools middle school social studies program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed to become active, informed, and contributing members of a global community. The vision is to foster a population that is civic-minded, globally aware, and socially responsible.
This inquiry-based curriculum is aligned with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and fulfills state mandates for the integration of Amistad, Holocaust, AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander), and LGBTQ+ history and contributions. Instruction is designed to be inclusive and culturally responsive, embedding diverse perspectives throughout all units of study.
The three-year sequence builds comprehensive historical and civic knowledge:
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6th Grade: Ancient World Civilizations This course introduces students to the beginnings of human society. Units of study include the Fertile Crescent, Ancient Egypt, and Kush, followed by Ancient India, China, the civilizations of East and West Africa, Islamic civilizations, and Ancient Greece.
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7th Grade: U.S. History This course covers the first major arc of American history. It begins with the "Roots of American History," including Indigenous societies, colonization, and slavery. Students then study the American Revolution, the "Constitution and New Nation", and continue through "Jacksonian Democracy, Westward Expansion, & Antebellum America".
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8th Grade: U.S. History & Civics This course continues the U.S. History narrative and transitions to a focus on civics. The first semester completes the historical sequence, covering "Slavery, Reform, and Civil War" and "The Reconstruction Era". The second semester is dedicated to civics, with units on "The Constitution, American Ideals, and the American Experience" and the "Role of the Citizen".