Social Studies

The Social Studies Department has created a Professional Learning Community to examine curriculum, student work, and test scores in order to share our collective knowledge and work together to increase student achievement and test scores.

History Classes

7th grade American History focuses on developing students' historical knowledge and skills. Students learn about historical events from the American Civil War through today. 7th grade students at BCMS reenact history through simulations and hands-on learning activities that allow them to experience historical events from America's past. Students will bomb Fort Sumter, hunt buffalo on the wild plains, mine for gold, migrate west, lose all their money in the stock market crash of 1929, participate in a Civil War battle, and many more exciting events. In addition to these activities, students will also develop their ability to critically think about the important events of our nation's past through historical debates and the examination and evaluation of primary historical documents.

Geography Classes

In Geography, students will actively engage in the work of a geographer by asking geographic questions and then acquiring, organizing, analyzing, and interpreting geographic information in order to answer geographic questions.This course will use a regional approach to explore the 6 essential elements of Geography: Places and Regions, Physical Systems, Human Systems, Environments and Society, The Spatial World and Uses of Geography in Today’s Society. The content will incorporate a variety of scales – from local to global.

History of The United States

Standards and Benchmarks

Historical Skills: Historical Inquiry (History Day)	The student will apply research skills by investigating a topic in U.S. history. The student will analyze historical evidence and draw conclusions. The student will present and explain the findings of a research project.
Growth and Westward Expansion, 1801-1861	The student will demonstrate knowledge of western expansion, conflict and reform in America.
Civil War and Reconstruction, 1850's-1870's	The student will demonstrate knowledge of the causes of the Civil War. The student will demonstrate knowledge of major events and people of the Civil War.
Minnesota History: Civil War and the Dakota War, 1860-1864	The student will know and understand Minnesota's role in the Civil War and the impact of the Dakota War of 1862.
Reshaping the Nation and the Emergence of Modern America, 1877-1916	The student will analyze the transformation of the American economy and the changing social and political conditions in response to the Industrial Revolution.
World Wars and the Emergence of Modern American, 1900-1930's	The student will demonstrate knowledge of the political, geographical, cultural, social and economic forces shaping the modern United States. The student will understand World War I and its causes and effects.
A World War, 1930's-1945	The student will understand and analyze the economic, social and political transition of the United States before, during and after World War II.
Post World War II Era, 1945-1980	The student will analyze the economic, social and political transformation of the United States and the world between the end of World War II and the present.
Contemporary American, 1980-present	The student will recognize the opportunities and challenges facing the United States and explore its role in the world since 1989.

Social Studies

History Classes

Geography Classes

Standards and Benchmarks

Paul Henning

Alli Kildahl

Alexandria Lipe

Nicholas Raboin

Hana Schwartz