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Social Studies

Philosophy:

Christian education is an effort to translate the Christian commitment and ideals into daily living.  Loving God and loving people are the two basic ingredients of Christian learning and Christian living.  Christian education by its very nature, finds its purpose in service to God and in service to other people.
Therefore, the emphasis of social studies in Christian schools must be on people and their calling and responsibility as God’s stewards on earth.  God has entrusted people with the care of both physical and social resources, and assigned them to use all things in the service of others.  Social studies also serves as an important part in the total school curriculum by functioning as a unifying element of all the disciplines.
For the Christian student, recognition of Jesus Christ as the personal Savior of the world is most important.  Apart from Him all social and cultural activity is vain.  As Christians we know why and how sin infects all of a person’s individual as well as collective behavior and that evil will remain a disruptive force in history until the Judgment Day.  In our social studies curriculum we seek to foster a growing concern and provide the knowledge and understanding needed to properly alleviate, in the name of Christ, the plight and suffering of the needy of the world, whether their needs are economic, educational, physical, religious, or some other need.  It is our goal that our students will be able to differentiate between proper and improper responses to God’s command to fulfill creatively both their cultural mandate and their call to live an integrated Christian life.

School Goals

Grades 1-3

  1. To develop an appreciation for the world God has given us – animals, seasons, natural resources.
  2. To develop an understanding of our Christian responsibilities to the earth and to the people of the world.
  3. To begin an understanding of production and distribution of the basic necessities – shelter, food, clothing, etc.
  4. To understand the different means of communication.
  5. To gain a knowledge of our community and community helpers.
  6. To acquire an understanding of transportation.
  7. To learn rules of safety and how to apply them.
  8. To introduce a study of maps, globes, graphs, and directions.
  9. To understand and appreciate various cultures.                                                                            
  10. To develop the societal skills involved in life, in human relationships, in citizenship and values. To introduce individuals who have influenced the history of our country.
  11. To begin an understanding of national, state and local government.
  12. To be aware of current events.
  13. To develop Christian citizenship and patriotism.

Grades 4-6

  1. To develop the ability to read and understand a variety of maps and to understand geography through the use of maps, globes, and atlas.
  2. To know directions and location of states, nations, continents, oceans, etc.
  3. To understand the environment and our relationship to it.
  4. To realize our proper, Christian response as individuals and as groups to the world around us.
  5. To understand how the history of the past has helped shape the future.
  6. To know what good citizenship means and how to apply it to our lives.
  7. To know geographical landforms and their effects on the lives of the people living in major regions.
  8. To understand natural resources, what they are, where they are located, and how their presence leads to major industries.
  9. To understand the growth of cities around excellent locations – harbors, rivers, etc.
  10. To appreciate the differences between people. (customs, food, ways of doing things, traditions, etc.)
  11. To see that throughout history God has used various nations, empires, and individuals to carry out His plan for the world.
  12. To be aware of current events and their effect on our lives.
  13. To acquire a basic understanding of our national and state governments and how they work.
  14. To learn important historical and geographical facts. (famous historical people, sequencing of events, dates, etc.)
  15. Go know the history, geography, constitution, and government of the State of Illinois.

Grades 7-8

  1. To develop an awareness of God’s sovereignty as revealed in history and government.
  2. To develop an awareness of modern day problems and to encourage creative ideas concerning solutions.
  3. To understand cause and effect relationships and the interdependence of men and nations.
  4. To master significant historical and geographical facts. (famous historical people, sequencing of events, important dates in history, etc.)
  5. To develop an understanding of United States government and constitution and its functions and the awareness of political differences in other countries.
  6. To develop Christian citizenship and patriotism.
  7. To develop an awareness of Christian responsibility regarding vocational calling.

SPECIFIC GRADE LEVEL ACTIVITIES

Grade 1  

1. Friendships and working together
2.   Pilgrims, Indians, early explorers, major holidays
3.   Maps and globes and a compass rose
4.   Daily work, different jobs, and required training
5. Safety education – fire, bikes, walking, playing
6. Scholastic News Newspaper to study current events

Grade 2
1.    Principles of national citizenship
2.    Illinois and Indiana compared to other states
3.    Leaders in American history
4.    American history and lifestyles
5.    Basic map skills (locate IL/IN, North America, etc.)
6.    Career education at the elementary (basic) level
7.    Washington, D.C.
8.    Scholastic Newspaper to study current events

Grade 3
1.  Regions of the United States ( Rivers, Oceans, Mountains, Deserts, Prairies, Forest )
2.  Famous people of Illinois/Indiana
3.  Native American Groups (Plains, Desert, and Northwest)
4.  Early colonies, westward movement, and land use today (agriculture, mining, and           
manufacture)
5   The three branches of government
6.  Scales, symbols, keys, latitude-longitude, hemisphere
7.  Environment and Conservation
8. Scholastic newspaper to study current events

Grade 4

  1. Life in the U.S. in different places at different times
  2. Natural resources and physical features of Illinois/Indiana (geography of IL/IN)
  3. States, capitals and two letter abbreviations
  4. Important sites and landmarks of the U.S.
  5. Map skills involving map keys, landforms, places, etc.
  6. Study of different production careers
  7. Scholastic News to study current events

Grade 5

  1. Map skills – world map, latitude-longitude, etc.
  2. Citizenship and patriotism
  3. U.S. history from exploration to revolutionary war
  4. Introduce U.S. constitution and national government
  5. Physical features of Latin America, Canada, and Europe
  6. Social and political life in Latin America, Canada, and Europe
  7. Scholastic News to study current events

Grade 6

  1. Compare continents and countries of the world
  2. World geography
  3. Story of the old world (Mesopotamia, Egypt, Rome, Greece, etc.)
  4. Illinois/Indiana history, geography, and government
  5. Map skills
  6. Basic economics
  7. Junior Scholastic News to study current events

Grade 7

  1. A study of American history from the establishment of the English colonies through 1900.
  2. NewsCurrents, Knowledge Unlimited to study current events

Grade 8

  1. Civics and U.S. government
  2. U.S. history through the 20th century
  3. NewsCurrents, Knowledge Unlimited to study current events.