Theme

We focus on learning about North, Central, and South America using the following questions as guides: Why, when, and how did different people come to the Americas? How are people who live in the Americas similar? Different? Connected? How do the natural resources of different areas in the Americas influence people's lives? What does it mean to be “American?” How can we understand and get to know one another more deeply? Throughout the year we will make important connections that help children feel not only a sense of belonging to their own families and communities, but also a sense of being responsible “citizens of the world.” This includes:

• Learning basic world geography: identifying the differences between continents, countries, states, regions, cities, and towns with a study focus on landforms and waterways.
• Understanding the New England region and its rich history and cultural diversity, within the context of North America.
• Studying the countries, peoples, and cultures of Central and South America culminates in a biannual school-wide cultural event organized by the third and fourth graders called El Mercado, in which every classroom creates and sells beautiful crafts (some inspired by the artistic traditions of the countries we are studying) and raise money for a given cause or organization. The 2007 proceeds went to Matenwa Community Learning Center in Haiti.