Welcome to the Social Studies Department Web Site! All students at Washington Middle School are required to take a year-long social studies course. 7th graders wil take American History and 8th graders will take World Geography. In 7th grade American History, students will learn: 1. Comprehend and analyze historical events through multiple perspectives. 2. Investigate key themes in American History, such as freedom, human rights, migration and transportation as they apply to all people living in the United States. 3. Understand the sequences of major events in American History. 4. Recognize and appreciate the roles individuals from all cultural backgrounds have played in the development of the United States. 5. Analyze and interpret the causes and effects of various events throughout American History. 6. Interpret and convey both historical information and current issues through timelines, political cartoons, posters, charts, graphs, maps and photographs. In 8th grade World Geography, students will learn how to: 1. Define and apply the five themes of Geography (Location, Place, Interaction, Movement, and Regions) to examine a current event or issue. 2. Produce and interpret maps, charts, photographs, sketches, and pictures to present geographical information and concepts. 3. Analyze and interpret the causes and effects of human migration on Earth’s surface. 4. Compare and contrast how physical and cultural geography has influenced and will continue to influence events of the past, present, and future.