Grade 7: Civics
As future voting citizens, it is of special concern to provide this course to students to learn about the forms and organs of government (especially those in place within the United States), the design of an electoral system, legal systems and codes, the balance of power, public and policy administration. Students are pushed to understand these concepts on a first-hand basis by creating mock trials and moot court proceedings, as well as engaging in debates over real bills and amendments being enacted federally and within the state, and those that they create and propose to their peers to vote on and “enact” or “reject.” Students also organize a political campaign during the school year.
Grade 8: Economics
This course teaches students to analyze the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services through both a positive economics viewpoint and a normative economics viewpoint. Major economic concepts (such as capital, supply and demand, opportunity cost) are introduced and analyzed through experiential scenarios, games and activities. One of the major focuses of this course is entrepreneurship. The students come up with business ideas in small groups then create a business plan, conduct market research and pitch their ideas because they have to look for investors (usually parents); they also market and advertize their products. Students then exercise what they’ve learned in this course by planning and creating a “Market Day” for nearby schools and other students where they create products and sell them to customers.
Grade 9: Geography
This geography course at Alsion covers the physical, political, economic and social geography of the continents. Students look at geography from a global interdependence perspective, and one’s responsibilities as global citizens is stressed. Students develop map skills as well as completing reports, essays and fact files.