Seneca Academy

Preserving the Wonder of Childhood

  • About
    • Letter from Head of School
    • Mission, Vision, and Philosophy
    • Strategic Plan
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  • Elementary (K-5)
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    • Curriculum
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  • Parent Resources
    • Seneca Academy Parenting Series
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    • Resources for Talking to Children About Race
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  • Giving
    • Auction & Gala: Celebrating 40 Years
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  • Contact Us

Social Studies

The Seneca Academy goals and standards for social studies are informed by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Curriculum Standards for Social Studies, the IB PYP Social Studies Scope and Sequence, and the Montgomery County, MD Public Schools Social Studies Curriculum. Our social studies curriculum is designed to engage students in the inquiry of people in relation to their history, their current personal and cultural identities, and their future roles and responsibilities. In addition, we facilitate information gathering, sharing, and analysis about our environment and society in a rapidly changing world through a variety of print and electronic media as well as field trips. Seneca Academy’s hands-on, transdisciplinary approach encourages students to develop the critical thinking skills that allow them to identify trends and connections across time and our world.

There are two dimensions to the social studies curriculum: social studies content, which describes the body of knowledge about specific topics that we expect our students to master; and social studies practices that describe the habits of mind, sociological and geographic inquiry, and reasoning skills students need in order to use the skills they acquire.

Social Studies Practices

  • Asking and finding answers to questions
  • Placing people and events in time and context
  • Analyzing cause and effect
  • Interpreting interactions between and among individuals, groups, and institutions
  • Applying geographic reasoning
  • Gathering, using, interpreting and evaluating evidence from sources
  • Defining opinions and evaluating perspectives
  • Taking responsible action
  • Communicating information

Areas of Study

  • Human systems and economics including governments, communications, conflict, transportation and production.
  • Social organization and culture including citizenship, diversity, family, identity, networks, rights, roles, and traditions.
  • Continuity and change through time including civilizations, discovery, exploration, history, innovation, and migration.
  • Human and natural environment including borders (natural, social, and political), geography, impact, regions, and landscape.
  • Resources and the environment including conservation, consumption, ecology, energy, interdependence, pollution, and sustainability.
Curriculum Overview

Seneca Academy is an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP) World School that fosters children’s natural curiosity and ignites a love of learning through a collaborative, inquiry-based program in a dynamic and welcoming community.

15601 Germantown Road, Darnestown, MD 20874
Phone: (301) 869-3728 • Fax (301) 869-3348

International Baccalaureate Organization logo
National Association of Independent Schools logo
Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools logo
Fully authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization as a Primary Years Program World School
A proud member of the National Association for Independent Schools
Accredited by and a proud member of the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools
Site Design by Bethany Ruth | Content © 2023 Seneca Academy
Thank you!

You have successfully submitted your Parent’s Day Out application for the 2020-2021 school year! Once again, we appreciate you being a part of the Seneca Academy village.

 

Thank you so much for your sponsorship of Seneca Academy’s 2020 auction and gala, “Around the World.” Because of you and other generous supporters, we are able to continue serving the children and families in our school as well as the community at large. We appreciate your gift to help us preserve the wonder of childhood for years to come!

 

Thank you so much for your donation to Seneca Academy’s 2020 auction and gala, “Around the World.” Because of you and other generous supporters, we are able to continue serving the children and families in our school as well as the community at large. We appreciate your gift to help us preserve the wonder of childhood for years to come!