The history curriculum at Washington Preparatory School is designed to help students develop into active, well-informed citizens in a dynamic world. Through courses in state, national and world history, students will discover the social, political and economic systems that fuel both progress and its antithesis. Encouraging the application of the theoretical frameworks studied through both primary and secondary sources, students will participate in simulations of decision making sessions, such as Model League of Nations and Model United Nations, Enlightenment Salons, and Socratic Seminars. Additionally, field trips and project- based learning activities will culminate in students participating in the state and National History Day contest. Washington Preparatory School provides a community in which students and faculty benefit from collaboration, and demonstrate willingness to share our knowledge.
Grade 6 World History: This course explores world geography and ancient civilizations from the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe from 8000 BCE to 600 CE. Major themes include the achievements of societies, the origins and influence of religions, the development of political systems, how ideas spread, and how geography affects the development of civilizations and the growth of cities. Students will improve their proficiency in writing, utilizing research methods processes (gathering information from various sources, note-taking, outlining, paraphrasing, summarizing, categorizing, paragraphing, bibliography writing, and citation), and presentation skills.
Grade 7 Major Societies and Washington State History: This course begins with a survey of well-known civilizations from 600-1450 CE. A survey of Washington State History follows, starting with the period of Territory and Treaty Making in the mid-1800s and concluding with Contemporary Washington history. Students will be able to enjoy field trips to local and state sites of historical interest, supported by engaging in research methods processes. Research efforts will be supported by materials accessible through local repositories like the Bothell Museum and the Woodinville Heritage Society as well as through state-wide institutions like the Washington Historical Society, the University for Washington Library, and the Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest.
Grade 8 American History: This course covers the history of the United States from the pre-colonial period through contemporary modern American history. Historical content focuses on the political, economic, religious, and social events and issues related to each era of American history. Founding documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution will be studied and evaluated at great length, determining their role in establishing the rights and responsibilities of citizens from our inception until today. Through the inquiry process, students will develop and explore questions which are factual, conceptual and debatable. From the inquiry process, students will develop skills to critically analyze primary sources and develop strong, fact-based arguments to explore orally (through debates and seminars) and in writing (through essays and research projects).
Grade 9 Global History I: This course covers Global Expansion (1450-1750) The Age of Revolutions (1750-1914) and the First World War. Engaging in an inquiry process designed to help students explore the nuances of the historical events that continue to shape our world will support and enhance skills related to critical thinking. Emphasis in this course will be placed on understanding the viewpoint of different stakeholders in decision making process, and how those viewpoints impacted individuals and nations. Supported with Enlightenment Salons, Socratic Seminars and a League of Nations simulation, students will understand that the decision making is a process, and that process can be influenced by a variety of unexpected factors.