The social studies program is a world studies curriculum with an emphasis on nineteenth century history. It is based on three content themes: industrialization, imperialism, and migration. Student-centered and constructivist in nature, the curriculum encourages active student participation and higher-level thinking skills. Students strengthen chronological thinking and historical skills, but they also develop historical interpretation and analysis skills and historical research capabilities. Therefore, in addition to engaging in historical inquiry, students consider multiple perspectives, differentiate between historical arguments, and construct their own historical narratives based on primary and secondary source historical data. Ultimately, fifth grade students make connections with the people and places of the past.Five Themes of Geography

Industrial Revolution

o Growth of Industrialization in Europe and the spread to the United States
o Child labor
o Chicago’s role in the Industrial Revolution

China

o Geography
o Dynastic Cycle
o Opium War

Migration

o Within West and East Africa
o Great Migration