Welcome to Mrs. O'Neill's 7th Grade Social Studies!!!

 

This year we will have so many opportunities to learn and grow.  Please continue to visit this site for updates on resources, contact information, and more. 

​

Just a reminder of what 7th grade Social Studies will entail this year. Our main focus in 7th grade will be analyzing the birth of our nation and early American history. We will begin our journey looking at colonial settlement and exploring the difficult decisions our founding fathers faced in declaring our independence from Great Britain. From there we will continue on a chronological path to the Civil War and its aftermath. Our day-to-day work and progress will generally center on reading, reflecting, asking questions, analyzing, and creating claims. 

 

Major topics, units, and themes of study include:

 

• Settling and conflicts in the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies

• The American Revolution – causes and effects

• The Articles of Confederation – our first attempt at self-government

• Writing and Ratifying the Constitution

• The Bill of Rights, Amendments, national-state-local Government

• Launching a New Nation – Presidents Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, etc…

• Expanding the Nation – Louisiana Purchase, westward expansion, Manifest Destiny

• Nationalism / Jacksonian Democracy – also the struggle of Native Americans

• Industrial growth in the North

• Agricultural change in the South

• The bitter divide and debate over slavery

• The Civil War – causes and effects    

 

Teaching and learning about history and social studies these days is not as it was taught years ago. The emphasis now is on critical thinking, asking questions, evaluating sources, and various forms of response and analysis of primary and secondary sources with student claims and opinions using evidence. 

 

While we still look at historical events over time, we generally use a thematic, big idea, big picture approach. Think big ideas and big concepts, as opposed to an overload of facts and figures to take notes on and memorize. A key focus now will be the inquiry process - questioning and the application of knowledge, discussions and debates, and claims with evidence… rather than the memorization of knowledge. Related key components that we will work on this school year include: gathering and evaluating sources and using evidence, developing claims, using evidence, communicating conclusions, and taking informed action. What’s taking informed action? That means to become an active participant in our great country! This is how you can help and contribute to topics and issues that interest and concern you.

​

I am really looking forward to a fantastic year together! 

​

​