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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][u]New course description:[/u]

This course is built around the core Grade 6 social studies curriculum that includes historical content from early civilizations, the empires of Greece and Rome, the dynasties of China, and civilizations of the first millennium. Cohort students will go beyond this core however as they learn additional content, [b]explore deeper connections to today, engage in investigative inquiry to strengthen their writing through Document Based Questions[/b], and enhance their learning through relevant literature connections.

[u]Existing course description in some of the MS - 2016-17 Advanced World Studies 6 (7897) [/u]

This course provides enriched opportunities for learning about ancient world history. Building on the current four units of Grade 6 world studies [Greece, Rome, China, etc..], students will deepen their understanding of the rich cultures and history from the earliest human settlements to great civilizations of the year 1000 CE. Students are challenged to analyze archaeological evidence, ask questions to further their knowledge, and understand history as an ongoing investigation. These historical thinking, reading, and writing skills support success in future Advanced Placement and honors social studies courses.

I don't see all that much difference.[/quote]

Note the bolded text, that is the difference. The new course is a combination of the Reading (old course description) and World Studies courses from Eastern magnet.

Eastern Magnet: WORLD STUDIES
The Humanities program infuses the MCPS world studies
curriculum with additional depth and rigor. Students engage
in reflective thinking and decision-making as they participate
in experiential activities such as historical simulations and debates.
These activities and the research required of students in
their preparation provide a rich foundation for further study
in the social sciences and the humanities.

While studying these individual disciplines, the students
examine several thematic strands that run through all their
courses: the history of communication, the communication
of history, and the role of the storyteller/historian. Major
interdisciplinary units focus on in-depth studies of the historical,
literary, and cultural heritage of Greece, Rome, and
Asia, as well as utopian literature and societies. The Utopian
unit examines works such as The Giver, by Lois Lowry, and a
comparison of leadership roles in various societies in Watership
Down.[/quote]

" Document Based Questions" - my DC does this at a non magnet MS.  I really don't see that much difference.

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/curriculum/socialstudies/middle/grade6/Advanced%206.1%20Overview(3).pdf

"The skills of historical thinking that form the backbone of this course are part of
a grade six to eight continuum of skill development. Skills are built through the
[b]use of Document Based Inquiry (DBI) [/b]tasks. In grade six, advanced students are
introduced to basic skills of historical thinking.  This includes the[b] ability to critically
read and write[/b] in response to primary and secondary historical sources. Many of
these skills are included in the on-level
curriculum.[b] The advanced curriculum,
however, provides additional skills,
more rigorous writing expectations,
and more challenging sources[/b]. [/quote]

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