SOCIAL STUDIESSOCIAL STUDIESWhat we Teach,What we Teach,

Why we Teach ItWhy we Teach It

Why History Matters…Why History Matters…

""Memory is what makes us Memory is what makes us who we are.who we are.  If we lost all of our  If we lost all of our memory whenever we fell asleep memory whenever we fell asleep at night, it would be the same as if at night, it would be the same as if we died and a new person woke we died and a new person woke up in our body the next morning. up in our body the next morning. History is the memory of a History is the memory of a nationnation."."

Thomas Sowell, "The Vision of the Anointed."Thomas Sowell, "The Vision of the Anointed."

What We Teach: What We Teach: History and the Social SciencesHistory and the Social Sciences

Social sciences include history as Social sciences include history as well as geography, economics, well as geography, economics, psychology, anthropology, psychology, anthropology, political science/civics and political science/civics and sociologysociology

Diversity of curriculum develops Diversity of curriculum develops a broad spectrum of learninga broad spectrum of learning

Why We Teach It, orWhy We Teach It, orWhy Study the Social Why Study the Social

Sciences?Sciences? To understand people and societiesTo understand people and societies To understand change and how the To understand change and how the

society we live in came to besociety we live in came to be To understand the importance of To understand the importance of

history in our own liveshistory in our own lives To understand how history contributes To understand how history contributes

to moral understandingto moral understanding

Why Study Social Sciences? Why Study Social Sciences? (continued)(continued)

To provide identity—To provide identity—cultural literacy: a cultural literacy: a shared history that is shared history that is assumed all already assumed all already know. know.

To become responsible To become responsible citizenscitizens

Why Study Social Why Study Social Sciences?Sciences? (continued)(continued)

To develop essential skillsTo develop essential skills• Critical thinkingCritical thinking• QuestioningQuestioning• Making connectionsMaking connections• Adapting to new Adapting to new

situationssituations

To succeed in the To succeed in the world of workworld of work

What Do Our 17-Year-Olds Know?What Do Our 17-Year-Olds Know?

Intercollegiate Studies Institute (non-Intercollegiate Studies Institute (non-profit) gave students at 25 selective profit) gave students at 25 selective colleges a civic literacy testcolleges a civic literacy test• Freshman scored 56.6%Freshman scored 56.6%• Seniors scored 59.4%Seniors scored 59.4%• Harvard seniors 69.6%--passing?Harvard seniors 69.6%--passing?• Less than half of college seniors knew that Less than half of college seniors knew that

NATO was formed to resist Soviet expansion.NATO was formed to resist Soviet expansion.

It’s Not your Parents’ Social It’s Not your Parents’ Social Studies classStudies class

Schools used to emphasize solely the Schools used to emphasize solely the memorization of facts.memorization of facts.

Today the emphasis is on Today the emphasis is on skills skills (concepts, (concepts, connections and application) because of connections and application) because of the concern that students in the U.S. are the concern that students in the U.S. are leaving high school without the necessary leaving high school without the necessary skills to function in higher education and skills to function in higher education and the workforce in order to be globally the workforce in order to be globally competitive.competitive.

However, content is just as However, content is just as necessary because:necessary because:

• it provides context it provides context and perspective for and perspective for new learningnew learning

• it helps us reconcile it helps us reconcile time and spacetime and space

• some is essential to some is essential to build a framework for build a framework for skill developmentskill development

• skills without facts skills without facts result in knowledge result in knowledge gapsgaps

Our Focus is on Essential Our Focus is on Essential QuestionsQuestions

Essential Questions are questions that: Essential Questions are questions that: • get students to thinkget students to think• do not have a “right” answerdo not have a “right” answer• can be debatedcan be debated• point to big ideaspoint to big ideas• help students make sense of difficult conceptshelp students make sense of difficult concepts

Example: What does it mean to be an Example: What does it mean to be an American?American?

How are we preparing our students How are we preparing our students for the 21for the 21stst century? century?

What skills are What skills are needed?needed?

What skills are we What skills are we teaching?teaching?

How are students How are students responding?responding?

Are our methods Are our methods working?working?

Are they learning?Are they learning?

Partnership of 21Partnership of 21stst Century Century Skills developed this Skills developed this

framework:framework:

In Other Words, the skills In Other Words, the skills needed in the 21needed in the 21stst Century Century

are:are:• Creativity and innovationCreativity and innovation• Critical thinking and problem solvingCritical thinking and problem solving• CommunicationCommunication• CollaborationCollaboration• Information literacyInformation literacy• Media literacyMedia literacy

2121stst Century Skills (continued) Century Skills (continued)

Information and Communication Information and Communication Technology literacyTechnology literacy

Flexibility and adaptabilityFlexibility and adaptability Initiative and self-directionInitiative and self-direction Social and cross-cultural skillsSocial and cross-cultural skills Productivity and accountabilityProductivity and accountability Leadership and responsibilityLeadership and responsibility

New Jersey State StandardsNew Jersey State Standardsfor Social Studiesfor Social Studies

Social Studies SkillsSocial Studies Skills CivicsCivics World HistoryWorld History United States / New Jersey HistoryUnited States / New Jersey History EconomicsEconomics GeographyGeography

Our Curriculum:Our Curriculum:ELEMENTARY SCHOOLELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Kindergarten: Belonging and FamilyKindergarten: Belonging and Family Grade 1: Belonging and NeighborhoodsGrade 1: Belonging and Neighborhoods Grade 2: Belonging and Communities/ Grade 2: Belonging and Communities/

CitizenshipCitizenship Grade 3: Lenape/Ethnic Heritage/Grade 3: Lenape/Ethnic Heritage/ ImmigrationImmigration Grade 4: Colonization/American Grade 4: Colonization/American

Revolution/Government (U.S. & NJ)Revolution/Government (U.S. & NJ) Grade 5: 5 Themes of Geography/Ancient Grade 5: 5 Themes of Geography/Ancient

CivilizationsCivilizations

Essential Questions, Grades 1-Essential Questions, Grades 1-55

What is family? How can differences bring What is family? How can differences bring people together?people together?

How do communities meet the needs of its How do communities meet the needs of its members?members?

What are the elements of Lenape culture?What are the elements of Lenape culture? How does the movement of people affect How does the movement of people affect

others and the physical environment others and the physical environment around them?around them?

How does geography impact humans? How does geography impact humans? How do humans impact geography?How do humans impact geography?

55thth Grade Task Grade Task

Person of Positive AchievementPerson of Positive Achievement• Talk about the characteristics of such a personTalk about the characteristics of such a person• Decide by consensus on a list of about 6 Decide by consensus on a list of about 6 • Read “around the topic”Read “around the topic”• Pick a person to study to researchPick a person to study to research• Use online and reference materialsUse online and reference materials• Take notesTake notes• Cite sources Cite sources • Write a 3-5 paragraph essay explaining why Write a 3-5 paragraph essay explaining why

the person chosen meets the criteriathe person chosen meets the criteria• Word process the document Word process the document

Our Curriculum:Our Curriculum:MIDDLE SCHOOLMIDDLE SCHOOL

Grade 6Grade 6• World HistoryWorld History

Topics: Geography / Birth of Topics: Geography / Birth of Civilization / Early SocietiesCivilization / Early Societies

Grades 7 and 8Grades 7 and 8• ““A” Year (Social Sciences): A” Year (Social Sciences):

CivicsCivics• ““B” Year (US History, 1600 - B” Year (US History, 1600 -

1870: United States History, 1870: United States History, Colonization through Colonization through ReconstructionReconstruction

Essential Questions, Grade 6Essential Questions, Grade 6

Why are the legacies of one society Why are the legacies of one society important to another society?important to another society?

How does the culture of a society How does the culture of a society influence its development?influence its development?

What happens when cultures collide?What happens when cultures collide? Is government essential in a society?Is government essential in a society? What causes a society to want to What causes a society to want to

expand?expand?

66thth Grade Research Task Grade Research Task

Museum exhibitMuseum exhibit

• Choose a society that has had a Choose a society that has had a significant impact on the worldsignificant impact on the world

• Research the society and a specific Research the society and a specific person, event or developmentperson, event or development

• Write an essayWrite an essay• Construct a physical artifact/modelConstruct a physical artifact/model• Create a multimedia presentationCreate a multimedia presentation

Essential Questions Essential Questions Grades 7/8 A (Social Sciences)Grades 7/8 A (Social Sciences)

• How does government affect human How does government affect human development?development?

• Is any political system the best?Is any political system the best?• How does a nation’s government affect its How does a nation’s government affect its

relations with its citizens and the rest of the relations with its citizens and the rest of the world?world?

• How is wealth distributed among individuals How is wealth distributed among individuals and nations?and nations?

• How does the use and distribution of How does the use and distribution of available resources affect people’s lives?available resources affect people’s lives?

Essential Questions Essential Questions Grades 7/8 B (U.S. History)Grades 7/8 B (U.S. History)

Can different cultures blend and appreciate Can different cultures blend and appreciate each other?each other?

How does where you live effect how you How does where you live effect how you live?live?

Why do people revolt?Why do people revolt? How do governments balance the common How do governments balance the common

good and individual rights?good and individual rights? Is compromise the best solution to solve Is compromise the best solution to solve

conflict?conflict? What qualities make an effective leader?What qualities make an effective leader?

77thth/8/8thth Grade Research Task Grade Research Task

Examine 10 significant events in world or Examine 10 significant events in world or U.S. historyU.S. history

Choose one event to explore in more Choose one event to explore in more depthdepth

Locate 2 additional sources, take notes, Locate 2 additional sources, take notes, develop a thesis and write a 5-paragraph develop a thesis and write a 5-paragraph research paperresearch paper

Math connection: collect data, place it in a Math connection: collect data, place it in a spreadsheet and create a chart or graph to spreadsheet and create a chart or graph to present to peers in science classpresent to peers in science class

Our Curriculum:Our Curriculum:High SchoolHigh School

*Grade 9: Government & Economics*Grade 9: Government & Economics *Grade 10: United States History*Grade 10: United States History *Grade 11: Global Studies*Grade 11: Global Studies Grades 11 & 12: many choices of Grades 11 & 12: many choices of

electiveselectives

*Required for graduation*Required for graduation

Essential Questions Essential Questions Grade 9 Grade 9 (Government & Economics)(Government & Economics)

Does any one form of government best Does any one form of government best protect the rights of the individuals?protect the rights of the individuals?

What role should government play in What role should government play in balancing the needs of individuals versus balancing the needs of individuals versus the needs of the community?the needs of the community?

Does the government have the Does the government have the responsibility to protect the rights of all responsibility to protect the rights of all people?people?

Can there be a truly “free” economy?Can there be a truly “free” economy? What role should government play in the What role should government play in the

distribution of wealth?distribution of wealth?

Essential Questions Essential Questions Grade 10 (U.S. History)Grade 10 (U.S. History)

How does war impact society and the How does war impact society and the individuals involved in war? What can be individuals involved in war? What can be learned from war?learned from war?

How does the global community affect the How does the global community affect the U.S?U.S?

How did the U.S. government expand its How did the U.S. government expand its involvement in the economy during the involvement in the economy during the 1930s?1930s?

How does propaganda influence people’s How does propaganda influence people’s opinions and actions?opinions and actions?

What was and is the role of the U.S. in the What was and is the role of the U.S. in the world?world?

Essential Questions Essential Questions Grade 11(Global Studies)Grade 11(Global Studies)

How has the spread of religion shaped our How has the spread of religion shaped our world?world?

Why are regions of the world interdependent?Why are regions of the world interdependent? Is it possible for China to maintain a more Is it possible for China to maintain a more

open economy in a society that is still closed open economy in a society that is still closed politically?politically?

What does the rise of India mean for the rest What does the rise of India mean for the rest of the world?of the world?

How is globalization changing the face of How is globalization changing the face of South Asia?South Asia?

How has Russia’s failure to develop a vibrant How has Russia’s failure to develop a vibrant economic system caused a cycle of reform economic system caused a cycle of reform and repression in Russian political life?and repression in Russian political life?

ElectivesElectives In grades 11 & 12, students may choose from the In grades 11 & 12, students may choose from the

following electives. Currently there are 923 following electives. Currently there are 923 students enrolled in social studies electives at students enrolled in social studies electives at SBHS:SBHS:• Holocaust & GenocideHolocaust & Genocide• Race, Class & GenderRace, Class & Gender• American JusticeAmerican Justice• SociologySociology• AnthropologyAnthropology• IPLEIPLE• The Vietnam EraThe Vietnam Era• PsychologyPsychology

More ElectivesMore Electives

Students may also choose from the Students may also choose from the following Advanced Placement courses, following Advanced Placement courses, provided they meet the prerequisites:provided they meet the prerequisites:• European HistoryEuropean History• U.S. HistoryU.S. History• U.S. GovernmentU.S. Government• Comparative GovernmentsComparative Governments• PsychologyPsychology

Co-curricular activitiesCo-curricular activities

The following clubs and activities related The following clubs and activities related to the social studies are offered at the high to the social studies are offered at the high school:school:• Psychology ClubPsychology Club• Military Education ClubMilitary Education Club• Model UNModel UN• Dead Presidents Society (history Dead Presidents Society (history

club)club)• Phi Alpha Theta (history honor Phi Alpha Theta (history honor

society)society)

So, Your Child Wants to Major in So, Your Child Wants to Major in Social Studies?Social Studies?

What can you do with a major in What can you do with a major in history/social studies?history/social studies?• Become an educatorBecome an educator• Become a writer/editor/journalistBecome a writer/editor/journalist• Become a librarian/archivist/museum Become a librarian/archivist/museum

curator/historic preservationistcurator/historic preservationist• Become a lawyer or paralegalBecome a lawyer or paralegal• Become a psychologistBecome a psychologist• Work for a non-profit organizationWork for a non-profit organization• These are just a few of the opportunities These are just a few of the opportunities

availableavailable

How Does Social Studies Apply How Does Social Studies Apply Outside the Classroom?Outside the Classroom?

It provides knowledge and understanding It provides knowledge and understanding and the ability to think, adapt and and the ability to think, adapt and questionquestion

It educates people for citizenship “in a It educates people for citizenship “in a multicultural, democratic society” (Star multicultural, democratic society” (Star Ledger Sept ’08)—E pluribus unum: out of Ledger Sept ’08)—E pluribus unum: out of many, onemany, one““And if we think them (the people) not And if we think them (the people) not

enlightened enough, the remedy is to enlightened enough, the remedy is to inform them by education.”inform them by education.”

~Thomas Jefferson~Thomas Jefferson

What does this all mean?What does this all mean?

““If we dedicate ourselves to studying If we dedicate ourselves to studying our history rightly, if we take the our history rightly, if we take the time to look at the entirety of our time to look at the entirety of our firmament, we will see what our firmament, we will see what our Founders saw we could be, what Founders saw we could be, what foreigners who came here saw all foreigners who came here saw all along, and what we ourselves can—along, and what we ourselves can—even today—see once again.”even today—see once again.”

--William J. Bennett--William J. Bennett

Where can you find it?Where can you find it? In your own backyardIn your own backyard: resources for : resources for

discovering our local history—a discovering our local history—a presentationpresentation

SourcesSources

American Historical AssociationAmerican Historical Association Equipped for the Future Content Equipped for the Future Content

StandardsStandards National Council for the Social National Council for the Social

StudiesStudies The History ChannelThe History Channel

PresentersPresenters

Nicole Pormilli Nicole Pormilli nicole.pormilli@sbschools.orgnicole.pormilli@sbschools.org

Janet GleimJanet Gleim janet.gleim@sbschools.orgjanet.gleim@sbschools.org Tim WrightTim Wright twright@sbschools.orgtwright@sbschools.org Corie GaylordCorie Gaylord cgaylord@sbschools.orgcgaylord@sbschools.org