Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Orchard Park, NY
About our Class
Maureen McCarthy
Social Studies
Email: mmccarthy@ourladyofthesacredheart.com
Welcome to Social Studies. I am Mrs. Maureen McCarthy, the Social Studies teacher for the 5th, 6th 7th and 8th grades. In our program we follow the New York State curriculum and adhere to all of the state's learning standards. It is my ultimate goal to prepare your child for his entrance into High School. The Middle School Social Studies program begins with the 5th grade study of the Western Hemisphere using the Harcourt Textbook. The 6th grade is using the Harcourt edition, World History and the 7th and 8th are using McDougal Littell's American History. We have also introduced the Mobi portable tablet and are participating in the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. By teaching the Eastern Hemisphere in the sixth grade, we introduce the child to diversity. There is diversity in people, languages, customs and religion. In addition to the text, we use a wide range of teaching tools such as videos, maps, and internet activities. A survey of American History is taught in the 7th and 8th grades. The 7th grade begins with the Native Americans finishes with the Civil War. The 8th grade completes the survey with Reconstruction to the Present. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart has had a high success rate on the state assessment since its inception. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School gives the student additional experiences to appreciate culture. During Catholic Schools Week last year, the students participated in a cultural fair, visiting booths that introduced students to examples of the sights, sounds and tastes of various cultural regions within the United States. Cultural appreciation is also infused into the music and art classes. Foreign language classes enrich the cultural experience. Our eighth graders learned firsthand the beauty and majesty of their own culture and government last year in their field trip to Washington, DC.
I have also been given a rewarding and enriching experience through the Gilder Lehrman Institute. Last summer I attended a Seminar at Brown University entitled "The Era of George Washington". The course, the interaction with colleague from across the country and the visit to Providence, RI was invaluable and enjoyable.
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart is designed for success.
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