We await specific details of the topics covered in each grade, but the reorganization of middle grades social studies is a bit curious.
Sixth Grade
Current: South America and Europe
Recommended: World Civilizations (Beginnings to 1600)
I assume that the curriculum will start with river valley civilizations. There are many possible ways to conclude the course, but I think that the Spanish establishment of a trading base in Manila (1573) would set up the seventh grade curriculum nicely.
Seventh Grade
Current: Africa, Asia, and Australia
Recommended: State, Nation, and World (1600-1971)
The curriculum should begin with the founding of the Dutch East India Company in 1602, particularly if the idea is to teach kids about the beginnings of global trade and cultural diffusion.
The conclusion of the course is where things get strange. I assume that curriculum folk chose 1971 because of Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education (or perhaps the ratification of the revised NC Constitution), but I am not sure. The problem is that the space race, civil rights movement, and wars in Korea and Vietnam will get insufficient coverage. Any teacher could tell you that topics covered at the end of the school year never demand the attention of the students. Of course, a lot depends on pacing and the testing schedule.
Eighth Grade
Current: North Carolina: Creation and Development of the State
Recommended: The Global Community (1971-present)
One must question the logic of mandating a year-long curriculum that covers only 40 years. If the idea is to encourage students to take a global perspective, a reasonable alternative would be to start the course at the beginning of the Spanish American War in 1898. This would mean that global conflicts (you know, world wars) are captured and important subjects like the civil rights movement receive adequate attention.
