SOCIAL STUDIES

The Social Studies department at MS 223 focuses on helping our students develop the necessary skills to become critical historians and engaged citizens.  Our project-based curriculum supports students as they analyze primary and secondary sources and synthesize their learning through writing.  We learn about American History for three years in order to have more instructional time to delve into the nuances of historical analysis. The school also challenges promotes geographic literacy every year through a school level National Geographic Bee competition.

In addition to classroom learning, we go on field trips to extend the learning experience outside of the school building.  Besides trips within New York City to destinations such as the Museum of the Native American Indian and Ellis Island, each grade has a major class trip in the spring.  The 6th grade travels to Philadelphia for a day to visit the National Constitution Center, Independence Hall, and the Liberty Bell.  The 7th grade goes on an overnight trip to Boston and Plymouth, traveling the Freedom Trail, visiting the Massachusetts State House, stepping on board the Mayflower, and seeing history come alive at Plimouth Plantation.  The 8th grade heads south to Washington, D.C., to visit our nation’s capitol.   These trips help students synthesize and contextualize their learning from the classroom.