The McGraw Hill curriculum has developed a social studies curriculum resource that is standards-based.  The curriculum is based on the adopted social studies standards from Rhode Island (2023). Portsmouth Middle School will begin piloting this new curriculum resource during the 2025-2026 school year with a full implementation for the 2026-2027 school year.  This curriculum dovetails well with the ELA content, supporting students’ comprehension and writing skills through social studies topics. 

In 6th grade, students will expand their worldview through a thematic investigation into early world history and geography.  Students will study humankind from the beginnings of civilization to the Middle Ages and will recognize the diversity of cultures that make up the globe.  In addition, students will gain an understanding of early world governments as they prepare to study the United States and Rhode Island state government in 8th grade.