Our goal is for students to see themselves as responsible citizens locally, nationally, and globally. Explorer West’s Social Studies program explores various aspects of human and geographic history. Our curriculum enriches students’ historical understanding and connects their lives to the past, present, and future.
Program Overview
Developing Citizenship and Leadership Skills:
- Lifelong Skills: History and social studies help students develop essential skills for life. Using a scaffolded approach, students build these skills step-by-step.
- Writing Process: Supported by rubrics and tracking tools, students improve their writing quality through personalized feedback. By graduation, they will have exceptional writing skills.
- Real-World Understanding: The curriculum prepares students to be leaders and ambassadors who understand current global realities and take sustainable actions to address challenges.
8th Grade "Change the World" Project
Past "Change the World" projects have addressed factory farming, human trafficking, and the gender pay gap.
Curriculum and Skills
Throughout our three-year program, students participate in projects that empower them to improve their communities and the world. They work individually and in groups to enhance expository writing and presentation skills.
| 6th Grade | 7th Grade | 8th Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curriculum Focus | Geography and ancient civilizations | Washington State history and US history (Constitutional issues) | Global studies through the lens of sustainability |
| Study Skills/Citizenship | Note taking with visual aids, primary and secondary reading, test preparation, essay structure, class discussions, group work | Note taking with visual aids and occasionally without visual aids, primary and secondary reading, test preparation, reinforce essay structure, class discussions and debates, group work | Note taking often without visual aids, high school textbook reading, test preparation, reinforce essay structure, class discussions and debates, group work and community engagement |
| Tests and Quizzes | Unit multiple choice tests and shortened structure essay tests | Unit multiple choice tests and shortened structure essay tests | Unit multiple choice tests and shortened structure essay tests |
| Expository Writing | Paragraph structure, 2 expository essays, one with a bibliography and parenthetical citations (MLA) | Reinforce paragraph structure, 2 expository essays with bibliographies and parenthetical citations | Reinforce paragraph structure, 2 expository essays with bibliographies and parenthetical citations |
| Large Projects | Fair Trade and Chocolate project in the spring | Constitutional research project | Change the World Project (second semester) |
| Presentations | At least 2 formal individual presentations and some group presentations | At least 2 formal individual presentations and some group presentations | At least 2 formal presentations and several group presentations, including a Change the World presentation in front of a larger audience |
Our Social Studies program prepares students for future academic success and responsible citizenship. They leave Explorer West ready to make a positive impact on the world.
Like most graduates of EW, my children are leaders. They are activists. They are moving forward with courage, strength, and curiosity. "Thank you" does not begin to express my gratitude.