7-8 (HMS)

Social Studies Grades 7-8 Overview

The seventh grade course of study includes a thematic narrative of world history from prehistory to the fall of the Roman Empire. Students analyze primary and secondary sources and use social scientists’ tools to interpret the story of the past. The pivotal concepts include the impact of geography on human development, the role of technology in societies, and the role of government in civilizations.  Students start to explore what makes civilizations and examine the causes of their decline. They study geography and its influence on settlements and their rise and fall. Students also examine language, religion, art, architecture, literature, government, and daily life in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, Greece, and Rome.  Students develop a better understanding of geography, economics, civics, and history in this course.  The curriculum meets the requirements of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Social Studies.

The eighth grade course of study includes a thematic narrative of World History from the end of ancient times to the beginning of the modern era. Students analyze primary and secondary sources and use social scientists’ tools to interpret the story of the past. The pivotal concepts include the impact of geography on human development, the role of technology in societies, and the role of government in civilizations. Students continue to explore and examine the development and decline of civilizations that they began in seventh grade. They study geography and its influence on settlements and their success and decline. Students also examine language, religion, art, architecture, literature, government, and daily life in Byzantium, the Middle East, Africa, Central America, India, China, Japan, and Europe during the Middle Ages, as a comparative study of world religions. Students develop a better understanding of geography, economics, civics, and history in this course.  The curriculum meets the requirements of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Social Studies. 

Curriculum Guides

Grade 7  Map (Board Approved: 9/19/2022)
Grade 8  Map (Board Approved: 9/19/2022)