Social Studies

In social studies, unifying themes for each grade level provide an increasingly complex lens through which students learn about New York City and the world around them. Students build knowledge and skills for research, public speaking, written communication, and problem solving. Projects and field trips are regularly incorporated into units.

• Grade one. In a unit focused on geography, students create maps, identify symbols, such as the compass rose and items in a map key, and use directions to identify locations on maps and in the school neighborhood. We examine train, bus, city, state, country, and world maps and discuss characteristics of different types of communities, such as towns, farms, and cities.
• Grade two. Grade-two students learn about Harlem jazz, studying the music, musicians, instruments, and history.
• Grade three. Students in grade three study entrepreneurship. We explore the procedure of creating new organizations and the process of revamping existing ones. Students have opportunities to speak with entrepreneurs regarding business endeavors and visit several businesses.
• Grade four. In grade four, students do a study of the middle school program, culminating in the production of a magazine focused on helping students to understand the habits needed to succeed in the transition to middle school.