K-8 Curriculum Overview Descriptions
Click below for pdf document for each grade's curriculum description.
The Newton Public Schools History/Social Sciences program provides age-appropriate experiences for students in which they view and come to understand themselves and their family and cultural heritage, the United States, and the world - and the relationship among them. Throughout the history program, students are asked to explore the contributions and experiences of different peoples, past and present, appreciate the diverse sources of these contributions, and apply this knowledge as citizens dedicated to actively reducing racism and intolerance of differences.
In keeping with Newton’s core value of respect for human differences, the history department is committed to providing a balance between Anglo-centered and multicultural-centered history. We believe that a full history program includes the histories of the rich population of students who come to our classrooms. As we develop curriculum, our intent is to provide students with a balanced learning of all the histories that impact the people who live in the United States. At each grade, there are opportunities for students to examine multiple perspectives, learn about the contributions of others, and develop an understanding of the richness of the global community. We encourage and develop students’ critical thinking so that they may confront the broad sense of history, prepared to make decisions and learn from the past.
Geography concepts are taught at each grade level, though they are the focus of the entire fourth and sixth grade curricula. It is important for students to see the relationship between geography and the life decisions that are made by people around the world and in all of history. It is the responsibility of each teacher to include geography concepts in the teaching of history curriculum. Likewise, it is important for teachers to include direct instruction in civics and government in their daily practice. A scope and sequence of learning expectations for grades kindergarten through four is available from the History Department at the Education Center.
Students are given numerous experiences that help them develop appropriate thinking and analytical skills. Distinguishing between fact/opinion/fiction, reading for main ideas and supporting data, reading from different points of view, inferring and evaluating information are important skills that appear, in age-appropriate formats, at every grade level. Instruction in formal research procedure begins in grade four and continues through middle school. Emphasis is placed on formulating sound research questions, taking notes and using other organizational strategies, obtaining information from a variety of sources including primary sources and the Internet, and presenting research in various forms depending on the audience and purpose of research.