History, AP History, Social Studies, Art History, Microeconomics
History
Grade 7:
Social Studies 1: The Western World
Grade 10:
US History
Honors US History
AP US History
Grade 8:
Social Studies 1: The Eastern World
Grade 11:
Civics/Government
Current Events
Comparative Religions
Honors European History AP European History AP US History
Grade 9:
World History
Honors World History
ESL World History
Grade 12:
Countries & Nations
European History
Electives:
Honors Economics
AP Microeconomics
AP Macroeconomics
AP Art Students:
Grades 10-11
Honors Art History
Grades 11-12
AP Art History
Throughout the Social Studies/History department research papers are required in all courses.
SOCIAL STUDIES I
This 7th grade course covers the geography and cultures of the Western Hemisphere with strong emphasis on geographic literacy and study skills.
SOCIAL STUDIES II
This 8th grade course covers the geography and cultures of the Eastern Hemisphere with strong emphasis on geographic literacy and study skills.
Mrs. Curtis' class
WORLD HISTORY & HONORS WORLD HISTORY
This course, primarily for 9th graders, is a survey of World History from the dawn of Humanity to the end of the European Middle Ages, ca. 1500 AD. Strong emphasis is placed on developing good skills, including how to complete a research report. This course also has an ESL section.
U.S. HISTORY & HONORS U.S. HISTORY
This course, primarily for 10th graders, is a survey of American History from colonial times through the 20th Century.
AP U.S. HISTORY
This 10th–12th grade course is chronological survey of American history from pre-Columbian times to present times using textbook, video/movies, literature, original documents, and group discussion. There is a heavy emphasis on writing exercises. All students are expected to take the AP US History Exam.
WESTERN CIVILIZATION
This 10th – 12th grade course is a survey of key events related to the Western experience. The course begins with the Paleolithic Age and continues to the 20th century. Western Civilization places an emphasis on economic, political and social themes and students are asked to analyze a variety of primary source materials.
Mr. Porter's class
Mr. Curtis' class, always a challenge
CURRENT EVENTS
The emphasis of this one semester course is on international affairs, although important national issues are studied as well.
CIVICS/GOVERNMENT
This one-semester course is about constitutional democracy and its dependence on informed, responsible citizenry. Current events are discussed; a research paper, guest speakers, debates, films, documentaries and charitable efforts are all utilized.
HONORS EUROPEAN HISTORY
This 11th-12th grade course is a survey that begins with the Italian Renaissance of the 15th century and ends with the 21st century. It is the history of modern Europe and of Europe into the greater world. It is also a course of study that places an emphasis on the cultural, social, economic, and intellectual themes that have shaped the modern world. Students use a variety of primary source materials.
A.P. EUROPEAN HISTORY
This Advanced Placement course for 11th-12th grades is a college-level course that begins with the Italian Renaissance of the 15th century and ends with the 21st century. It is the history of modern Europe and of Europe into the greater world. It is also a course of study that places an emphasis on the cultural, social, economic, and intellectual themes that have shaped the modern world. Students enrolled in this course are asked to consider a variety of primary source materials.
COUNTRIES AND NATIONS
This course is designed to give seniors an understanding of the geographical and historical inter-relationships affecting today’s world.
COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS
The world’s major religions are studied in terms of their historical theological connections. This is a one semester course.
Electives
HONORS ECONOMICS
This faster paced course will present the foundation of economics, and will also look at the major ideas in the two major branches of the field, microeconomics and macroeconomics. Major topics and issues in the world today will be introduced. Emphasis will be on terms and concepts with limited applicaiton. Foundation for AP Microeconomics or AP Macroeconomics courses. Prerequisite: Algebra I
AP MICROECONOMICS
AP Microeconomics is a course designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of the principles of economics as they apply to individual decision-making units, including individual households and firms. Students taking the course will spend time examining the theory of consumer behavior, the theory of the firm, and the behavior of profit-maximizing firms under various market structures. They will evaluate the efficiency of the outcomes with respect to price, output, consumer surplus, and producer surplus. Student will have an opportunity to examine the behaviors of households and businesses in factor markets, and learn how the determination of factor prices, wages, interest, and rent influence the distribution of income in a market economy. Students will also consider instances in which private markets may fail to allocate resources efficiently and examine various public policy alternatives aimed at improving the efficiency of private markets.
This course will require students to independently do extensive work outside of class. All students who take this course will be required to take the AP Microeconomics Examination in the Spring. Prerequisites: Algebra II
AP MACROECONOMICS
This college-level course for 12th grade emphasizes economic principles as applied to the economy as a whole. Topics discussed will reflect the material included in the booklet A.P. Economics Course Description from the College Board. Lessons include an analysis of national income and its components, economic indicators, inflation and unemployment, money and banking, stabilization policies, and the US and world trade. Successful achievement on the A.P. exam in May allows the student to earn three hours of college credit.
Mr. Ledbetter's Micro class
HONORS ART HISTORY
This course is designed to help students develop an understanding and knowledge of architecture, sculpture, painting, and other art forms within diverse historical and cultural contexts. Students will examine major forms of artistic expression from the ancient world to the present day from a variety of cultures and will learn to look at works of art critically, with intelligence and sensitivity. Students will learn strategies of analysis, develop a firm understanding of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design, and become fluent in the use of fundamental art historical terminology. Finally, although emphasis is placed on Western European art, artistic traditions beyond the Western tradition will be fully integrated in the curriculum .
AP ART HISTORY
Art History is designed to meet the requirements outlined for an introductory college course in Art History: an understanding and knowledge of architecture, sculpture, painting, and other art forms within diverse historical and cultural contexts. Students examine major forms of artistic expression from the past and the present from a variety of cultures and learn to look at works of art critically, with intelligence and sensitivity. Students learn strategies of analysis and develop appropriate language for analyzing works of art and architecture. Although some periods of non-western art are studied, emphasis is placed on Western European art. Finally, students are asked to develop a firm understanding of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design as well as to become fluent in the use of fundamental art historical terminology.
Faculty
Charles M. Curtis did his undergrad work at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. He traveled within the US extensively after college, learning about America and taking various jobs along the way, including mining in Leadville, CO, and proof-reading the Encyclopedia Britannica in Chicago. He went on to do graduate work and earned his teaching certification and masters degrees in history and geography at the University of Missouri, Columbia.
From Missouri, he came to State College for more graduate work at the Pennsylvania State University. He got married, started a family, bought a farmette and started teaching history at the Grier School, where he is now the History Department head. His hobbies include extensive reading on current events and politics, playing strategy games like chess and Go, and enjoying the out-of-doors.
Abby Curtis has been teaching at The Grier School since the fall of 1990 when she joined her husband Charlie Curtis in the History Department. With BA and MS degrees in Geography, she enjoys sharing her love of the world, its people, and its history with the younger students, mostly grades 7-9. She is devoted to helping each student develop her potential in the classroom and spends as much time as possible during the school day giving individualized attention to her girls.
When not at Grier, Mrs. Curtis can be found at home on the family 'farmette.' There, the Curtises keep various pets and raise farm animals for food and fiber. Their flock of angora goats keeps Mrs. Curtis busy with the preparation of mohair for handspinning and knitting.
Robert Porter has been part of the Grier community for the past few years. He and his wife, Kimberly, reside on campus and are the parents of two daughters (Abigail and Allison) and three sons (Ryan, Lewis and Anthony). Abby was a 2001 graduate of the Grier School.
Robert is a history teacher, a former coach and a “remodeling specialist” at the Grier School. Robert teaches two levels of United States history, current events and western civilization. Kimberly works with the housemothers in the evening as Dorm Coordinator. In this capacity, she oversees many of the issues that affect the lives of Grier girls in the evening hours of the school week.
Keri Salyards received her degree from Saint Francis University. She has a history major with a double minor in English and political science and a concentration in secondary education with two certifications, one in citizenship and the other in English.
Lucas Ledbetter grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He earned a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Ethnomsicology and Modern Languages from the Friends World Program (now Global College) of Long Island University in 2004. His studies included language study at lUniversite de Bourgogne in Dijon, France in 2000; language and cultural studies at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China while on a National Security Education Program Undergraduate Scholarship from the Pentagon in 2000-2001; and studies in South Indian classical music in Bangalore, India in 2002.
He then began a graduate program in 2004 at the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Michigan, where he concentrated on modern and ancient Chinese history, and was awarded a Republic of China Ministry of Education Fellowship to study modern and classical Chinese at the International Chinese Language Program of National Taiwan University in Taipei, Taiwan for the year of 2006. He is currently finishing his Masters thesis on Confucian philosophies of ritual performance, and is teaching Chinese I & II, as well as Honors Economics, and AP Micro/Macroeconomics at the Grier School.
Chad Llewellyn joins Grier as a Physical Science, Financial Literacy and Honors/ AP Art History teacher. He was born in Oxnard California and attended high school in Jacksonville FL. Chad went to Carlow University and received a Major in social studies, with a minor in philosophy. He is married to Ashley, lives in Alexandria, and has a dog named Sasha.
Suzanna Long is a new addition to the Grier family. Originally from Miami, Fl and educated by way of Sterling, Virginia, Mrs. Long moved to Pennsylvania to attend Saint Francis University. There she spent her junior year in Ireland attending Trinity College, Dublin. Mrs. Long earned her masters degree in American history at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
When she is not spending time with her three daughters and husband, Mrs. Long is Grier’s soccer coach and sponsor of the Model UN. She teaches World Geography for both the seventh and eighth grades.
Lucas Ledbetter grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He earned a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Ethnomsicology and Modern Languages from the Friends World Program (now Global College) of Long Island University in 2004. His studies included language study at lUniversite de Bourgogne in Dijon, France in 2000; language and cultural studies at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China while on a National Security Education Program Undergraduate Scholarship from the Pentagon in 2000-2001; and studies in South Indian classical music in Bangalore, India in 2002.
Chad Llewellyn joins Grier as a Physical Science, Financial Literacy and Honors/ AP Art History teacher. He was born in Oxnard California and attended high school in Jacksonville FL. Chad went to Carlow University and received a Major in social studies, with a minor in philosophy. He is married to Ashley, lives in Alexandria, and has a dog named Sasha.
