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Social Studies
A strength of our social studies program is that it translates
across content areas, making curriculum integration ideal. For
example, art is very much part of the culture of both current and
ancient civilizations. By making connections between the art program
and social studies, students can expand their understanding of
people and culture in very concrete ways. Similar connections can be
made with the music, Spanish and literature curricula when
appropriate. The social studies curriculum also makes very natural
connections to social justice issues- tying into the religion
curriculum- that provides students the opportunity to explore and
address these issues based on our Catholic faith.
Social Studies curriculum philosophy statement
The Saint Ambrose of Woodbury Catholic School social studies
curriculum teaches students to discover and develop their roles as
Christian individuals who are members of a family, as well as
active, reflective participants in a local, national and global
community at it: provides students with a thorough working knowledge
of world cultures and geography; prepares students for the
complexities of the 21st Century by providing a
solid foundation in the major historical periods and events that
precede it; the curriculum strives to make meaningful connections
between past and present; strives to connect the content to moral
development, social justice and opportunities for service.
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Texts and materials
Our social studies textbooks will be under review by faculty
committee during the 2007-2008 school year. Currently, K-5 grades
use the Houghton Mifflin We the People series (2000). Some of the
identified strengths of this particular series include: objectively,
well written, challenging texts; a global and multicultural
perspective; moral development, social justice and opportunities for
service; excellent layout & graphic materials; well produced,
attractive, practical teacher support materials; integration of
technology including a web site with free support for teachers,
students and parents. The web site also includes prescreened links,
latest research, current events and virtual field trips.
The Social Studies Curriculum Committee selected three books from
two different publishers for junior high students. Beginning in the
6th grade students will conduct a study of very basic geography as
well as an in depth study of ancient civilizations (Greeks, Romans,
Aztecs, Mayans, Egyptians, etc.) using To See a World- copyright
1997 by Houghton Mifflin. Seventh grade students will complete an
in-depth study of world geography including social, physical and
cultural geography using World Geography- copyright 2000 by Holt
Reinhart Winston. Finally, eighth grade students will complete a
study of post-Civil War American history (pre-Civil War American
history takes place in 5th grade). Students will use the book Call
to Freedom- copyright 2000 by Holt Reinhart Winston.
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