Academics

Humanities/Social Studies

Humanities Philosophy

In Humanities (for grades 5-6) our students explore identity, storytelling, history, and culture through reading, writing, discussion, and reflection. From myths and creation stories to memoir and poetry, students make connections between themselves and the world around them while building foundational literacy and research skills. Guided by questions like “Where am I from?” and “What impact do I have?”, students learn to read critically, write with purpose, and speak with confidence.

Through creative projects, public presentations, and collaborative learning, students develop the tools to express their ideas clearly, explore multiple perspectives, and engage thoughtfully with literature and history.

Social Studies Philosophy

At Seattle Girls’ School, Social Studies (for grades 7-8) helps students explore the roots of the present by examining the complexities of the past. Through close reading, discussion, debate, and research, students engage with the contradictions at the heart of U.S. history—especially around power, equity, and voice.

By studying foundational documents, movements for change, and the lived experiences of marginalized communities, students learn to think critically, form evidence-based opinions, and understand how history connects to their lives today. Social Studies is a space where students practice civic engagement, ask bold questions, and see themselves as informed participants in their communities and the world.


Applied Skills by Grade

List of 4 items.

  • 5th Grade (Humanities)

    • Write, revise, and proofread personal narratives
    • Use peer editing and narrative writing strategies
    • Closely read fiction and nonfiction texts to identify evidence and main ideas
    • Write about reading using textual support
    • Craft persuasive essays with thesis and supporting evidence
    • Design and present a toy prototype based on historical and social analysis
    • Distinguish between primary and secondary sources
    • Identify bias and differentiate objective from subjective statements
    • Write letters to elected officials as part of civic action
    • Conduct independent research using credible sources
    • Take notes, organize ideas, and draft essays from multiple sources
    • Facilitate and participate in peer discussions
    • Analyze literature metaphorically and develop generative questions

  • 6th Grade (Humanities)

    • Read independently and reflect using weekly reading logs
    • Write and revise narrative, poetic, autobiographical, and analytical texts
    • Use the writing process: brainstorming, drafting, peer review, editing, publishing
    • Conduct interviews and incorporate quotes into personal writing
    • Build and organize research using timelines, maps, and vetted sources
    • Write complete, well-structured sentences with correct grammar and punctuation
    • Use literary and poetic devices (e.g., metaphor, personification, rhyme, stanza)
    • Present work publicly through performances and showcases
    • Collaborate on group writing and storytelling projects
    • Cite sources and create bibliographies for published work

  • 7th Grade (Social Studies)

    • Summarize main ideas from nonfiction and historical texts
    • Analyze multiple perspectives and construct arguments based on evidence
    • Write and deliver persuasive speeches on current civic issues
    • Participate in simulations like mock trials by crafting legal arguments and questioning
    • Memorize and apply the Bill of Rights in real-world scenarios
    • Conduct research on historical movements and activists
    • Co-create performances to communicate historical understanding
    • Evaluate Supreme Court cases and constitutional principles
    • Interpret primary sources and historical documents
    • Examine the role of media in shaping public perception

  • 8th Grade (Global Studies)

    • Identify causal relationships in historical and political events
    • Conduct independent, research-based investigations
    • Create and deliver presentations on global issues
    • Analyze propaganda and media influence
    • Evaluate historical and modern human rights issues
    • Apply the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to real-world contexts
    • Lead and participate in class discussions and debates
    • Defend or prosecute in mock international court simulations
    • Develop policy proposals rooted in historical research
    • Compare global perspectives through case studies and primary sources
    • Use maps and geographic knowledge to support claims

Learning Outcomes by Grade

List of 4 items.

  • 5th Grade (Humanities)

    • How to craft a personal narrative based on lived experience
    • The history and evolution of toys and how they reflect social and cultural values
    • The difference between primary and secondary sources
    • How to identify bias and construct informed, evidence-based arguments
    • Basic structures of federal and state government
    • How to analyze and write about policy affecting young people
    • How to identify credible sources and cite them properly
    • The significance of Salish cultural artifacts and the history of the Duwamish People
    • Literary elements like character, setting, metaphor, and theme
    • How reading, writing, and research are tools for understanding self and society

  • 6th Grade (Humanities)

    • The definition of culture and how it connects to identity and community
    • How to compare and interpret myths and creation stories across cultures
    • Key geographic tools: maps, legends, timelines, compass rose
    • The importance of source credibility in historical research
    • How to develop a thesis and support it with claims, evidence, and reasoning
    • Basic literary terms and poetic forms
    • How narrative structure communicates ideas and identity
    • How ancient civilizations (e.g., Mesopotamia) shaped the modern world
    • The role of self-reflection and personal storytelling in writing
    • How writing and performance can communicate meaning and build confidence

  • 7th Grade (Social Studies)

    • The foundational contradictions of the U.S. (e.g., slavery and democracy at the founding)
    • The causes and consequences of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars
    • The long-term impacts of Reconstruction, Jim Crow laws, and Native American policy
    • Key concepts in constitutional law, including rights, duties, and checks on power
    • How the U.S. government is structured and how its laws shape daily life
    • The evolution of voting rights and civic participation in America
    • The push-and-pull forces behind social movements and migration
    • The importance of media literacy when examining current events
    • The influence of activism in shaping history and civic life

  • 8th Grade (Global Studies)

    • Key characteristics of capitalism, imperialism, and fascism
    • The U.S.'s evolving role in global affairs, including expansionism and conflict
    • Causes and outcomes of World War I and World War II
    • Historical context and impact of the Holocaust, including resistance and complicity
    • The creation and purpose of the United Nations
    • The significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
    • The roots and complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
    • Historical patterns of colonization and resistance in Africa
    • China's global significance from the Silk Road to present day
    • Global demographic and policy trends likely to shape the future

Seattle Girls' School

Located in the Central District, Seattle Girls' School is an independent school for girls and gender nonconforming students in grades 5-8. Our mission is to inspire and develop courageous leaders who think independently, work collaboratively, learn joyfully, and champion change.

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