Social Studies Update: December 2025
Grade 6 (Daniela)
This month, sixth graders are taking a deep dive into artificial intelligence and how it shows up in everyday life. Through class discussions, videos, and readings, students are learning about generative and narrow AI, taking class notes, and writing about the ethics surrounding the use of AI.
Last week we contrasted the helpful and harmful effects of AI, and this week we are investigating the importance of asking AI specific questions along with how to detect mis- and disinformation.
Just for fun, check out this Two Truths & AI quiz!
Next week, in advance of winter break, we will engage in a survey of winter celebrations around the world. Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season!
Grade 7 (Tim)
Seventh grade students recently wrote their second Big Question, following the unit called, “The Constitution.” Students were trained to first address every comment that Tim put on their previous Big Question. Once students believe they properly addressed all comments, they resubmitted their work. Tim checked to see their progress, providing feedback for anything more that needs to be addressed.
Students went through several rounds of submitting and continuing to fix until a wonderful final draft emerged. Then, students went on to their next Big Question with several things in mind in order to improve their writing skills.
These are the questions students chose to answer for the Constitution Unit in either a paragraph or mini-essay for Challenge credit.
- Why is it so difficult to amend the US Constitution?
- Why is the federal form of government superior for the United States when compared to both unitary and confederal governments?
Grade 8 (Tim)
Eighth grade students recently started their Change the World Project. We were able to start earlier this year, as social studies classes are taught with band or orchestra groupings.
In groups, students chose one of the eighteen (there are seventeen, but some groups think we should add a goal entitled “No Animal Exploitation”) United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Then, they chose a focus for a local problem associated with their SDG. Finally, they reached out through email to several organizations that already do work on their chosen problem to see how they can help.
We’ll revisit the Change the World Project in the new year.
Here are the local problems that groups chose, and the corresponding SDG.
- SDG 1 No Poverty: Lack of Affordable Housing in Seattle
- SDG 2 Zero Hunger: Loss or Reduction of SNAP Benefits in Seattle
- SDG 5 Gender Equality: Lack of Reproductive Rights, Including Abortion, in Seattle Hospitals
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities: People Who Are Unhoused in Seattle
- SDG 13: Climate Change: Pesticide Use in Seattle
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Lack of Understanding One’s Rights When Questioned About Immigration Status
- SDG 15: Life on Land: Animal Testing in Seattle
- SDG 18*: Zero Animal Exploitation: Abandoned Animals in Shelters Are Suffering and Euthanized.
* This is a proposed SDG. More information can be found here.
