NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL BELMONT

Academics

Social Science

Philosophy

Students in the social sciences classes examine the realm of human experience past and present. By comparing past and present cultures, students demonstrate their understanding and appreciation for their roles as active participants in both local and global communities. Social Sciences students will be able to shape their own lives and spiritual paths as they make their own histories.

Download: Essay Writing Guidebook

Our Essential Standards

  1. Develop and practice fundamental reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to access and manage information from multiple sources to solve problems and make decisions.
  3. Apply research skills including: inquiry, analysis, synthesis, and problem solving.
  4. Use both individual and collaborative learning strategies.
  5. Demonstrate the qualities of a self directed learner.
  6. Assume responsibility for their learning.
  7. Set priorities and achievable goals.
  8. Assess their own progress toward those priorities and goals.

9th Grade World History

Surveying world cultures and history from the beginning of civilization through the Renaissance in Europe, this year-long course emphasizes the following basic skills which are reinforced in subsequent courses in the upper grades:

  • organizational skills (maintenance of a notebook)
  • writing skills
  • research and library skills including technology
  • note taking and summarizing
  • map and geography skills
  • critical thinking
  • integration of related literature
  • cooperative learning
  • oral skills (reporting and class discussion)
  • integration of historical themes with current events.

Learning is facilitated in this course by use of the following instructional and assessment methods:

Instructional

  • cooperative learning groups
  • class discussion and debates
  • lectures
  • student presentations
  • role-plays

Assessment

  • objective and short answer tests
  • essays
  • timelines
  • illustrations
  • analysis of current events
  • a culminating research project

The freshman program is enriched by the offering of a World History Honors course. Students in this course read additional literature and engage in more in-depth critical thinking and written analysis of historical concepts.