Humanities

At Cary Academy, we believe in a social studies curriculum that leads active learners to engage important themes in the development of cultures and civilizations, to develop independent research skills, to appreciate similarities and differences, and to discover the joy of learning. Our approach incorporates the goals of the [|National Middle School Association]  goals for Curriculum Integration; to "redefine the middle school curriculum in forms that

o are academically challenging and exploratory. o are relevant to students' concerns. o hold high expectations for all students to succeed. o meet the developmental needs of young adolescents (Adapted from [])

Students investigate the geography, history, and cultures of the world in both ancient and modern times. Students explore a variety of world civilizations and compare religious, social, economic, and political systems in order to understand the ways cultural traditions originate and change through the passage of time. Coursework, interactive opportunities, and individual project based activities are designed to integrate thematic content with reading and writing in Language Arts. Organizational, group-work, and analytical skills are developed throughout the course of studies, as well as study habits, technological proficiency, and good decision-making. Because of the swiftness of change in these world regions, following current events is also an important part of the curriculum.

The World Cultures curriculum and the Language Arts curriculum work together to form the humanities program at Cary Academy. Novel units set in the appropriate geographic and historic periods enrich students' understanding of classroom experiences and vice versa. All units involve active, hands-on experiences, thematic written assignments, cross - disciplinary teaching, and project based learning assignments which engage multiple intelligences and skills in individuals and groups of students.

Technology Skills Group Skills Creativity Verbal and Written Expression Decision-Making & Analysis Organization & Study Skills