Watertown Public Schools

30 Common Street, Watertown MA 02472

Social Studies Department

Watertown Public Schools > Departments

Ancient map



Welcome to your world!

The National Council for the Social Studies defines our discipline as "the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence." The Social Studies curriculum is designed to help students achieve the mission of the high school and to be successful as responsible members of society. The department strives to develop independent thinkers who have strong listening, speaking, writing, and reasoning skills. It also fosters a healthy attitude toward learning, a refinement of values, an affirmation of community involvement, and a respect for others as a foundation for citizenship.  Creative and innovative instruction and curriculum are designed to assist students in reaching high levels of achievement through collaboration and critical thinking as well as through civic engagement.

With a nod to the Ancients, the examination of history and the social sciences anchors us to our past as we look at ourselves in both the present day and toward our possible futures. Each student begins this journey at Watertown Middle School.  While there, they study the world’s geography and ancient civilizations, developing analytical skills, finding new ways to express their creativity, and becoming fascinated with the possibilities along the way.  Seventh and eigth graders embark on this exploration in Humanities, an integrated Social Studies/English Language Arts curriculum.  At Watertown High School, a comprehensive United States history curriculum and a modern world history are available to grades 9 through 11 and seniors may explore the American legal system, civics, or psychology. 

We believe that the more students connect with the world around them and are able to place knowledge in the context of what has come before, the better our chances as a civilization to reach our full potential and to deliver a better world to future generations.


Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest
The Winning School Essay

Annually sponsored by "World in Watertown", the Martin Luther King Essay Contest provides a forum for students to write essays about important social issues and to share them with the community. Every year, one winner from the high school and one winner from the middle school are selected to be the guests of the group at their annual Unity Breakfast, a celebration of the diversity of religions and cultures in Watertown. The winners are acknowledged at the Breakfast and then are invited to read their essays.

This year's theme: "Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dreams began with racial equality, desegregation, and social justice. If Martin Luther King, Jr. were alive today, what issues that you may have experienced would be of concern to him and how has it affected your life and how you relate to others?"

On January 17th 2011, Logan Riley, sophomore, read his winning essay at the annual Unity Breakfast sponsored by the World in Watertown organization and held at the Hellenic Cultural Center.

Read Logan's winning essay and discover what the Watertown community discovered at the Unity Breakfast: the ideas of Dr. Martin Luther King, jr. resonate with a younger generation whose commitment to strive for a better America is important to us all.


Social Studies Staff directory for Watertown Middle School

Links to Teacherweb
Course Titles
Email links
Eleanor Donato

       Grade 6 Geography

Lauriann Kelland
Grade 6 Geography

       Grade 7 Humanities
 Grade 7 Humanities

       Grade 7 Humanities
 Grade 7 Humanities

       Grade 8 Humanities
 Grade 8 Humanities
Dan Skop
 Grade 8 Humanities
Karen Zawisza
 Grade 8 Humanities

Social Studies Staff Directory for Watertown High School
Links to Teacherweb
Course Titles
Email links
James Buck
World History (Level 1)
U.S. History I (Honors)
Acacia Fanto
Psychology (Level 1)/(Honors)/(A.P.)
U.S. History II (Level 1)
Kraig Gustafson
U.S. History I (Honors)
A.P. US History
Sandra Hoffman American Legal System (Level 1)/(Honors)
World History (Level 1)
David Mastro
U.S. History (Level 1)
A.P. European History
Civics (Level 1)/(Honors)
World History (Honors)
     U.S. History II (Level 1)/(Honors)
      World History (Honors)

Social Studies

Every month during the school year, a student at Watertown High School is featured as the "Student of the Month" for the work that they do in their Social Studies class.

Check this spot later in the year.

 
Social Studies Department Photo