History & Geography

The history and geography curricula are based on the Core Knowledge Sequence, a spiraling curriculum offering a coherent plan that builds grade by grade. This curriculum is distinguished by its specificity, solid content foundation on which to build skills instruction, and logical, grade-by-grade sequencing.

All grades have both American and world history components, and students learn about geography by tying it together with history. Beginning in kindergarten, students study American history sequentially up until the present time. In world history, students study ancient and modern cultures around the world by establishing foundations in the early grades, and then revisiting topics in more sophisticated depth later. The history curriculum is taught through readings, reenactments, films, guest lecturers, artifacts, and field trips. Students learn not only the content of history and geography, but its methods as well. The geography sequence includes mapping, map and globe literacy, and learning about the characteristics of basic geological features.