Atmosphere Academy’s High School Social Studies Program is arranged into four courses:
- 9th Grade Pre-AP World History I: World Geography to Classical Empires
- 10th Grade Pre-AP World History II: Post-Classical Empires to Modern World
- 11th Grade United States History: Geography of the North America to Modern World America
- 12th Grade Government and Economics
The Social Studies teachers utilize the College Board’s Pre-AP curriculum for the 9th and 10th-grade level courses because it is rigorous and helps prepare scholars for the Global History Regents exam they take at the end of their 10th-grade year. This curriculum is also a precursor to the College’s Board’s more advanced classes, also known as Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
Scholars also have the opportunity to take the following advanced classes if they meet the grading criteria:
- AP Modern World History
- AP United States History
- AP Government and Politics
We aligned our Social Studies curricula with the New York State Standards for History and the Next Generation Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies.
In high school, scholars build upon the foundational skills learned in middle school by analyzing primary and secondary sources more deeply and applying them to writing critically. Scholars make real-world connections to each topic taught in their classes, ensuring civic-minded, engaged young people who are prepared to lead the next generation.
Scholars focus on the historical reasoning skills necessary to articulate the events that transpired in history, the reasons why, and the impact of those events on society at large and future societies. Scholars take a deep dive into causation – cause and effect.; comparison; and context. They look at the similarities and differences of empires such as the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incans. They look at the geographic context of how empires like China were able to be protected from invaders and not experience cultural diffusion at a higher level. Scholars look at the historical context of events like major world wars. For example, scholars analyze the events leading up to Germany’s selection of Hitler as a leader and their rise to power. Our scholars participate in rigorous debates, including whether the 13th Amendment truly outlawed slavery or are there forms of modern slavery. Our scholars engage each other in academic discourse around historical trends and compare them to the current world around them.
Pictures of scholars/teachers in Social Studies classrooms:
Atmosphere Academy’s Social Studies Program is arranged into three courses:
- 6th Grade Global Studies: Geography and World Religions to the Classical Civilizations
- 7th Grade American Studies I: Native Americans – The Civil War
- 8th Grade American Studies II: Reconstruction – Current Times
The curriculum aligns with the NYS Social Studies Framework and Learning Standards, integrating resources from History Alive and HMH, along with primary and secondary sources. In our social studies classes, students engage in debates, Socratic seminars, and historical recreations to deepen their understanding of the content. Teachers focus on building literacy skills through close readings of diverse sources, encouraging students to explore historical events from multiple perspectives. Scholars also develop critical thinking and Regents skills, preparing them for high school by engaging with rigorous material.
Students practice these skills through document-based questions (DBQs), stimulus-based multiple-choice questions, and enduring understandings, which help them navigate complex historical content. For example, in 6th grade, students analyze the achievements of Alexander the Great and debate whether he truly deserves the title of “great.” In 7th grade, students hold a mock trial for Andrew Jackson, while 8th graders “Live the History” by debating the validity of U.S. wartime policies.
In addition to fostering critical thinking about historical events, teachers connect the past to current issues that resonate with students, making learning relevant and engaging.