Social studies provide a central thread for classroom study. In tandem with science, this work forms the core curriculum for a child’s course of study for the school year.

Fundamentally, the curriculum addresses the big questions that children grapple with, at various developmental levels, regarding the interconnectedness of people and the environment. Our youngest students focus on growth and change. Gradually, the attention shifts to families and children note similarities and differences among them. They study the school community and the richness of the local neighborhood. As they get older their explorations extend beyond here and now as they study the formation of Manhattan Island and relate it to historical events such as indigenous communities who once lived in the area and the onset of immigration. The social studies topic provides the focus for integrating curricular areas, concepts and learning strategies from science, literacy, visual arts, Spanish, math and music. Students compare and contrast prior knowledge and new information to begin to appreciate the richness and diversity of geography and culture in our world.

2/3s

Daily life in the 2-3s class provides our youngest students with a balance of whole group, small group and individualized learning experiences as well as ample opportunities for play. Young children learn through play, which is rich in creativity, trial and error experiences and social give-and-take. Read More »

4/5s

Children of four and five are just beginning to understand that others may feel and think in ways that are different from the ways they experience the world. Learning to communicate clearly with words, to listen, to take turns and to think about the needs and feelings of others are important steps in a child's growth and in becoming part of a social community. Developing greater self-awareness and a fuller appreciation of what it means to be part of a group are ongoing goals for the school year. Read More »

6/7s

In the 6/7s students develop a strong classroom community and work to understand how a city functions by taking a close look at the interrelationship between goods and services and the people who depend on them. Students first expand their understanding of the neighborhood. Through trips, interviews and first hand observations they find answers to the question: What makes a neighborhood? Later, they delve into explorations involving a broader spectrum of city life. Topics have included: Manhattan as an island, markets and the distribution of food, communication (post office, libraries, newspapers), and trash production and removal. Read More »

8/9s

The social studies program in the 8/9s helps students begin to see connections between the natural environment and the human communities that rely on it for sustenance. The curriculum is structured on a two year alternating cycle. One year students study the northeast woodlands and the indigenous people of the region, the Lenape. Read More »

10s

Humanities is an interdisciplinary program derived from the traditional areas of history, literature, language arts and social studies. It is enriched by the integration of art and music. Students think critically about issues of importance in history, literature and their own lives. Read More »