Social Studies Courses by Mr. P
Click below to go to your specific course!
7th Grade American History
Course that follows NYS Social Studies Framework for 7th Grade History of the United States and New York State. Roughly covering 1500-1865.
8th Grade American History
Course that follows NYS Social Studies Framework for 8th Grade History of the United States and New York State. Roughly covering 1865-present.
9th Grade Global History and Geography I
Course that follows NYS Social Studies Framework for 9th Grade Global History and Geography I. Roughly covering Paleolithic Age to Age of Enlightenment
10th Grade Global History and Geography II
Course that follows NYS Social Studies Framework for 9th Grade Global History and Geography II. Roughly covering Age of Enlightenment to Modern Day.
Personal Finance
Course that introduces students to personal finance topics such as debt-income, mortgages, saving and investing, the stock market, and microeconomics such as opportunity cost, diminishing marginal returns/utility, and risk management. This course works in conjunction with the NYS Social Studies Framework and National Standards for Personal Finance.
Model UN
The Model United Nations course combines current events and human geography course with debating, public speaking, intensive research, and an emphasis on writing. Students will start the course with a broad investigation of the world, researching important topics that face the UN and international community, and current events as they relate to the course. As the course progresses, preparation and simulation of Model UN Conferences will be beginning.
Mr. Paradis
An educator in Upstate NY who specializes in 7-12th American and Global History and Geography. Mr. Paradis holds his M.S.T in Adolescence History Education, and is in the process of obtaining a M.A in American History from Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History at Gettysburg College.
Mr. Paradis’ Approach to History
Below is Mr. Paradis’ Top 3 main approaches to teaching History/Social Studies, and its application beyond the classroom.
1
History needs to be interesting and relevant. Students need to be able to understand why this is applicable to them in some way. Social studies courses are a vehicle for so many valuable skills, but these are often hard to see and comprehend their utility as a student. It is the teacher’s job to make this clear. “History is not the past but a map of the past, drawn from a particular point of view, to be useful to the modern traveller.” – Henry Glassie, US Historian (1941- )
2
Inquiry is the most powerful tool of learning. Questions drive our existence, and curiosity stimulates connection, focus and effort. Transforming social studies from a “sit and get” to a “inquiry model” transforms how the brain works and encourages more students to get involved in class.
3
Language skills, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and analysis of text are students’ biggest roadblocks in social studies. Repeated practice, guided instruction, supplemental tools/supports, and access to materials within their zone of proximal development is necessary to ensure the success of all students.
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