Social Science Mission Statement

The goal of Woodside Priory’s History and Social Sciences department is to promote student understanding of the geographic and demographic causalities that contribute to modern political, economic, and social systems. By studying the past and the relationships of people and societies in the world today, Priory social scientists will better understand the patterns of causation that link our past to our current societal and personal dilemmas. Students will examine society from multiple perspectives, approach social and ethical issues with imagination and empathy, and appreciate the complexity of the world around them.

Social Science Curriculum Trajectory

The History and Social Sciences Department is designed to move from the broad to the specific.  First, from pre-modern to modern civilization, and second, from global citizen to American citizen.  Sixth graders begin to gain an understanding of human origins and ancient civilizations.  Through research, analysis of sources, and writing, students are encouraged to build empathy for a variety of human experiences.  Seventh grade focuses on the fall of Rome to the Renaissance and thereby continues the study of ancient civilizations.  These cultures and histories continue to teach the students about ourselves in the modern world.  In eighth grade, students build upon their previous use of text, primary sources, as well as research to shift their examination to the founding of the United States.  In ninth grade, particularly focusing on communication and broader collaboration, students focus during the first semester on the structure of the American government, and in the second semester, students use a historical lens to examine global issues. Tenth graders particularly focus on advanced reading comprehension and critical analysis to make sense of the evolution of global human society from pre-modern to the Industrial Revolution to the advent of modern global societies.  By the end of eleventh grade, students will have further honed their skills as writers and will be better equipped to examine U.S. History from multiple perspectives.  Twelfth grade is an opportunity to ultimately explore individuality through personal interests across a variety of elective classes.