Students in sixth grade, as referenced in yesterday’s post, have been studying the ancient river civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Mohenjo-Daro in the Indus River Valley, and the Xia Dynasty along the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers. We’re starting with a study of Mesopotamia and the factors that allowed for the first major settlement of humans. Agricultural surplus, division of labor, a system of writing, early religious beliefs, a hierarchy, and a code of laws are all part of this – and these same factors will be present in the other civilizations we study. 

Students in seventh and eighth grade have been studying hereditary monarchies in Europe in the years surrounding the Age of Exploration. Part of this study is an understanding of how Spain became so dominant in the early years of colonization of the Americas. The story of Henry VIII is also usually a pretty big hit. Wrapped up in all of it is the Protestant Reformation, kicking off in 1517 in Germany and spreading throughout Europe. We’ve had great discussions around these topics, and students have asked strong questions throughout.