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Social Studies

middle school learning

For life beyond Penn Charter.

Social Studies at Penn Charter weaves together three significant strands: skills, discipline-specific content, and connections to the past, present and future. We seek to develop each student’s ability to think critically, form individual opinions, and express personal thoughts clearly, concisely and powerfully through the written word.

In our Middle School social studies program, students engage with the past and present through moments of breadth and depth, building the skills and curiosity to stay informed, think critically and contribute meaningfully to their communities now and in the future.

Jim Pilkington, middle school social studies teacher

lower school learning

Lower School

Through a theme-based, inquiry-driven approach, Lower School social studies highlights social justice, global citizenship and diverse voices, guiding students from understanding themselves and their communities to exploring history and civic life.

  • Students engage in hands-on projects such as portrait galleries, short documentaries, passports, research projects and civic essays, often shared with an audience.
  • By examining whose stories are being told or are missing, students explore ideas of fairness, equity and responsibility in their communities and history.
  • Students connect their learning to the wider world through interviews, cultural studies, language sharing and global comparisons involving families and community members.

Middle School

We seek to make our nation and world — both past and present — more familiar, and to develop knowledgeable and active global citizens who want to make a difference.

  • In the sixth grade food insecurity study, students learn about nutrition, food deserts, SNAP and the role of nonprofits, then connect with local organizations working on these issues.
  • As part of the seventh grade neighborhoods project, students explore various sites in Historic Germantown to connect with local neighborhoods as well as historical sites relevant to the foundations of our government.
  • In addition to crafting a research paper, eighth graders engage in symposium-style presentations and conversations to share their newfound knowledge and perspectives with their peers.