Social Studies
“The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.”
-National Council of the Social Studies
Edison Township Middle School Social Studies
Our Vision
The Edison Township Middle School Social Studies Department is passionate about supporting students as they develop into engaged, empathetic, and creative thinkers who are prepared to take an active role in our global society by facilitating the development of thematic and conceptual understandings through thoughtful analysis of significant geographic, political, cultural, and economic developments of the past, as well as recognizing how the impacts of each continue to affect us today.
Our Mission
- To foster knowledge of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Social Studies, which connect to the geographic, political, cultural, and economic developments across our world throughout history
- To nurture the development of the literacy skills necessary to become thoughtful, engaged, and civic-minded members of society through the incorporation of the companion NJ-SLS ELA standards for reading and writing in history, as well as 21st Century Skills and technology
- To assist our diverse student population in seeing the world from multiple perspectives, while cultivating their own personal views and understanding of their impact on/place in their local and larger communities
- To employ the different tools and techniques necessary for critical thought, analysis, and self-expression
Current Curriculum Guides
6th Grade: Ancient World and the Six Themes of History
7th Grade: Medieval World and Six Themes of History
8th Grade: Early American History and Civics
Grading Policy
Tests and Detailed Projects (45%) Including, but not limited to: unit assessments, research projects, long-term projects, process writing, |
Quizzes and Small Projects (35%) Including, but not limited to: unit/project checkpoints, district benchmarks, short-term projects, on-demand writing, |
Classwork (15%) Including, but not limited to: completion of daily expectations, work towards lesson/project goals, collaborative and independent work |
Homework (5%) Including, but not limited to: previewing of material, completion of classwork as needed, engaging with notes/content as assigned |