History

Learning that connects to the outside world

Even young children have an awareness of the world around them. So we begin with the understandings and interests of children and feature lots of hands-on activities. Our lower school students have studied urban gardens, murals in Philadelphia, and inventors and inventions. We regularly visit Reading Terminal Market, JFK Plaza, Chinatown, Sister Cities Park, the Magic Garden, Schuylkill River Park (Taney) and other areas of interest to make classroom learning come alive. In third and fourth grade, students study American history and take advantage of our city setting to explore colonial America and the American Revolution. Classes visit the Constitution Center, Elfreth's Alley, the Franklin Court and other historical sites to directly experience "the power of place." Students view history through lenses of migration, class, status, wealth, education, access and power that serve to broaden their study to other time periods and to connect to contemporary society and culture.

Dive deep into civics and culture

Fifth graders study American civics with an emphasis on understanding state and local government. Sixth graders closely examine ancient civilizations with an added emphasis on geography. Seventh graders study American History from the pre-colonial period to the end of the Civil War, complete with an in-depth study of their own family history. And eighth graders examine ancient civilizations, traveling all the way to New Mexico to conduct research.

The main focus of the history department is to guide students towards a better understanding of the complexities and challenges of our modern world, the richness and importance of its past, and the diverse peoples and traditions that have shaped it. The department emphasizes the skills of careful reading, respectful, focused listening, critical research and analysis, thoughtful writing, public speaking and presentation, as well as professionalism. The History sequence also aims to help students experience the joy of discovery that comes with robust inquiry, and offers students a wide array of opportunities to challenge their thinking and assumptions by hearing multiple perspectives. History courses are required in ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades, and the department offers semester electives for primarily juniors and seniors. Several of our courses present students with interdisciplinary experiences--particularly in art and music--as well as interdivisional activities, particularly with the lower school. The core courses provide a foundation for understanding the civilizations and political systems that have shaped the modern world. Periods of history in Africa, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas, for instance, are selected for exploration in ninth and tenth grade, and students examine U.S. history in eleventh grade. Electives offer students a look into more specific topics in politics and the social sciences, including many that examine modern political and social issues. These elective courses are designed to attract a wide range of student interests.

A major feature of the history program is the development of research and presentation skills. For example, the ninth grade curriculum features several research projects, including the presentation of a work of art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.