Social Studies

All LV Social Studies courses look at biblical events and themes and how they correlate with history and our world today. They include geography studies and incorporate history stories, historical fiction and/or literature. They are designed to develop an awareness and appreciation for the world God has created and help students understand how history and culture is correlated to our world today. Students are taught critical and higher order reasoning skills as they learn how to interpret history.

Critical Thinking and Reasoning Skills include:

•      Categorizing
•      Making Inferences
•      Drawing Conclusions
•      Developing Historical Perspective
•      Formulating Historical Questions
•      Making Predictions
•      Hypothesizing
•      Analyzing Motives
•      Analyzing Issues
•      Analyzing Bias
•      Evaluating Decisions and Courses of Action
•      Forming and Supporting Opinions

•      Synthesizing Information

All LV Social Studies classes meet for 70 minutes on Mondays. (No Friday lab for grades 7-12)

Grades 1-6

Discovering God’s World

•   2 year cycle
          My America (2016-2017)
          My World (2017-2018)
•   Grades: 1-2

These fun discovery based classes will use a multi-sensory approach to learning the historical and social aspect of our country and our world. Through group games, songs, rhymes, stories and hands-on activities, students will enjoy exploring God’s world. Book bags with activity sheets are loaned out every other week to provide in depth study at home during the week.

My America (2016-2017)
US Geography along with land formations, major water bodies in and surrounding the US, and basic US history through our national and Christian holidays as they arrive on the calendar will be our focus during this cycle. Community and culture study will include the institutions of American culture that make it strong, like family, church, school, government, and civil service. As an introduction to historical fiction, students will also study American tall tales.

My World (2017-2018)
World Geography, the study of land formations, major global water bodies, along with an overview of global facts through international holidays, cultures and communities will be the focus during this cycle. Christian missionaries, historical and current, and their work will add an interesting component to this class. As an introduction to historical fiction, students will study folktales and stories from around the world.

Discovering the Ancient and Medieval World
•   2 year cycle
  Medieval World (2016-2017)
  Ancient World (2017-2018)
•   Grades: 3-4

These fun discovery classes take students on a journey into the past. Over a two year period, young scholars will explore the mysteries of the ancient and medieval worlds from Creation to the Reformation.

Medieval World (2016-2017)
This class will have fun learning about the medieval world. Important topics and interesting historical fiction along with resource books will immerse young scholars into the lives of the people and cultures of the past. Through historical facts, bible stories, games, memorization activities, timelines, projects, literature, map activities, arts and crafts, and art history, young students will be encouraged to develop a love and appreciation for history and the Bible. Weekly geography study is integrated into this course.

Ancient World (2017-2018)
This class will have fun learning about the ancient civilizations. Important topics and interesting historical fiction along with resource books will immerse young scholars into the lives of the people and cultures of the past. Through historical facts, bible stories, games, memorization activities, timelines, projects, literature, map activities, arts and crafts, and art history, young students will be encouraged to develop a love and appreciation for history and the Bible. Weekly geography study is integrated into this course.

Discovering America
•   2 year cycle:
  2016-2017 Discovering America 1—Early American History
   2017-2018 Discovering America 2--Late American History
•   Grades:5-6

Through a combination of history, geography, and literature, young scholars will discover the excitement of the American experience. These fun hands-on classes will use historical facts, games, memorization activities, timelines, projects, stories, literature, map activities, arts and crafts, and art history to encourage young students to develop an appreciation for history. Engaging historical fiction and resource books will immerse students into the lives of the people and cultures of the past and present.

Discovering America 1 (2016-2017)
This class will have fun learning about the early explorers through the events of the early 19th century. Important topics and interesting historical fiction along with resource books will immerse young scholars into the lives of the people and cultures of our nation’s past. Weekly geography study is integrated into this course.

Discovering America 2 (2017-2018)
Students will continue on their amazing journey through time as they discover the excitement of the American experience from the early 19th century to the present. A study of current events and their connections to historical events will also be incorporated to make history relevant and interesting. Weekly geography study is integrated into this course.

Grades 7-12

Western Civilization
•   2 year cycle:
          Western Civilization 1 (2016-2017)
          Western Civilization 2 (2017-2018)
•   Grades: 7 and 8

These courses survey the history of western civilizations, weaving in the fabric of the Scriptures, primary source documents, geography, and historical fiction. A significant amount of reading and discussion are incorporated to encourage critical thinking skills.

Western Civilization 1: Creation to the Reformation (2016-2017)
This year begins with the Creation in the biblical account and works through the rise of civilization later concluding with the study of the Protestant Reformation. These were times of great scientific and cultural development. Masterful structures were erected, laws and treaties were established, and empires took shape. A deeper understanding of these eras and the peoples who lived in them will give students a clearer understanding of humanity as well as the foundation of the Christian faith.

Western Civilization 2: The Renaissance to the Present (2017-2018)
This year begins with the Renaissance and works through the development of governments later concluding with the study of our current culture. Inventions, industry and technology developed rapidly during these eras. Challenges to government and beliefs surfaced which influenced the shaping of the world as it is today. Through a deeper understanding of these historical events, an appreciation of how God has worked in the past and continues to work in our world will be established.

U.S. History
•   Grade: 9-12
•   High School Credit: 1.0 U.S. History with Constitution

Throughout this course, students come to appreciate and understand the struggle for justice and freedom throughout American History. By means of a solid history text, primary source documents, and historical fiction, students will come to understand how historical decisions impacted the political, economic, cultural, and religious meanings and values which our citizens have attached to the United States and what it inherently means to be an American. Students will learn to sharpen their analytical skills and learn to communicate them effectively. Success in this course depends on the student’s diligent interaction with course materials. Correlations of the past to the present will be examined and discussed in the light of a Christian worldview. Optional CLEP test preparation will be provided for students wishing to take the CLEP exams for college credit. Honors level available with the inclusion of historical novel study.

World History (2016-2017)

•   Grades: 10-12
•   High School Credit: 1.0 World History

This comprehensive world history course will explore all major cultures and strive to see God’s overarching plan through the interactions of peoples who lived in the past. Emphasis will be placed upon the religious and philosophical influences as well as the political and social effects that drive each civilization. Students will be challenged to analyze and think critically from a biblical worldview as they study the course of western civilization in parallel to eastern cultures concurrently. Additional assignments and writing practice will be given to those students who wish to prepare for the AP World History Exam in the spring. This course will use primary source documents and classic literature in addition to the text to fully explore the cultures studied.

U.S. Government (2017-2018)
•   One semester course: Fall 2017
•   Grades: 10-12

This one semester course uses a historical, philosophical, and biblical approach to studying the subject of our American government. Students will engage in learning the responsibilities that come with U.S. citizenship through classroom lectures, activities, and discussions as well as at home reading and writing assignments. Topics covered will be the Constitution, the three branches of government, political parties, elections, foreign policy, and more. This course will incorporate rhetorical skills, speech development, presentation skills, and debate.

Economics (2017-2018)
•   One semester course: Spring 2018
•   Grades: 10-12

This one semester course is designed to help students grasp a solid understanding of both individual financial issues as well as the financial concerns our country faces in today’s economy. With an emphasis on Scriptural principles, students will learn about the laws of supply and demand, money, banking, government intervention, business, unemployment, productivity, inflation, free market ideals, and personal finance. Activities and projects will help students connect to this subject on a more personal level.