History

I love the opportunities that teaching history provides for pushing our students to be critical thinkers, to challenge their preexisting assumptions, and to develop greater empathy as they broaden their perspectives." –Andrew Schneider, History Department Chair

The Middle School History program introduces students to problem-solving, research, and critical thinking skills, as well as map reading, statistics, and graph and chart interpretation. Students distinguish between primary and secondary sources and assess them by a variety of methods. They also develop timemanagement skills and effective study methods and learn the proper form for research papers.

Geography is the primary focus of 6th grade, followed by American Studies and Washington State History in 7th grade. In 8th grade, students explore the development of belief systems and ethics by looking at world religions in the past and present.

The PNW Book of the Dead Project

Read about how 8th grade students use their knowledge of ancient Egyptian traditions to create a modern Book of the Dead that reflects their own daily life in the PNW.

Courses

GEOGRAPHY

6th grade
Required
Yearlong

This course surveys the world from the perspectives of physical, cultural, and political geography. Students learn about the influence of geography upon aspects of local and world history as they improve their geographical literacy, analytical reading, writing, and research skills. Physical geography is the focus of the first semester, and human geography is the focus of the second. Particular attention is given to human interaction with the planet, demography, resource distribution/utilization, and international cooperation and conflict. Students learn to create and interpret maps and charts to express data and begin building their skills in independent research and presentation.

AMERICAN STUDIES

7th grade
Required
One semester

American Studies aims to prepare students to be informed and engaged citizens. Students acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to prepare them to be responsible, thoughtful citizens. American Studies examines the roles citizens play in the political and governmental systems in the United States. Students examine the foundational documents and principles with which the Constitution of the United States was established; identify the rights, duties, and responsibilities of citizens; and describe the structure and operation of government at the federal level. A core purpose of the course is to preserve and enhance democracy by cultivating students’ care and concern for their communities and equipping students with the knowledge and skills to participate effectively in democratic life.

RELIGIOUS AND PHILOSOPHICAL TRADITIONS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD

8th grade
Required
Yearlong

This course focuses on the religious and ethical traditions of ancient and pre-industrial cultures around the world. Our goals are to understand the key concepts and values that underlie these traditions and to consider the importance of religious and ethical thinking to the human experience. We examine the continued influence of these traditions on the modern world and, where possible, meet practitioners of contemporary forms of these traditions. We consider Mesopotamia and Egypt, classical antiquity, and the Abrahamic traditions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), as well as West African, Mesoamerican, and East and South Asian traditions. Students will also work on note-taking skills and the management, synthesis, and application of information, including practice with evidenced-based analytical writing.

Intensives

WASHINGTON STATE HISTORY

7th grade
Required

This three-week intensive course brings together classroom learning with experiential education. The first week of the intensive combines Pacific Northwest–focused classroom experiences with local field trips. During week two, students go on three-day, two-night excursions to different parts of Washington state. During the final week of the intensive, students participate in a project-based learning project, answering a self-created research question related to one or more of the experiences from their excursion. Students conduct research, create annotated bibliographies, write scripts, and present a visual presentation of their research to their peers and faculty.

GLOBAL LINK: ALABAMA

7th and 8th grades
Elective

Global Link: Alabama is a domestic travel and cultural immersion program for 7th and 8th graders. This course is a comparative look at social justice movements in the Pacific Northwest and the American South, specifically the state of Alabama. Covering topics of historical and contemporary social justice issues, including the Civil Rights Movement in both regions, youth-led grassroots organizations, LGBTQ+, Indigenous rights, and environmental justice, this course integrates the best practices of Global Link and UPrep’s commitment to social justice and social responsibility.

Global Link: New Mexico

7th and 8th grades
Elective

Global Link: New Mexico is a domestic cultural immersion program for 7th and 8th graders. The course compares social justice issues and movements in the Pacific Northwest and the American Southwest, specifically the state of New Mexico. Covering topics of historical and contemporary social justice issues, including community activism in both regions, youth-led grassroots organizations, LGBTQ+, Indigenous rights, and environmental justice, this course integrates the best practices of Global Link and UPrep’s commitment to social justice and social responsibility.

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