The document discusses the importance of social studies education, particularly history. It argues that history is essential to understanding people, societies, and how they change over time. It also helps provide identity and cultural literacy. The document outlines the social science subjects taught, including history, geography, economics, and others. It discusses how the focus today is on developing skills like critical thinking alongside content mastery. Examples of tasks from different grade levels are also provided.

1. SOCIAL STUDIESSOCIAL STUDIES
What we Teach,What we Teach,
Why we Teach ItWhy we Teach It

2. Why History Matters…Why History Matters…
 ""Memory is what makes us who weMemory is what makes us who we
are.are. If we lost all of our memory If we lost all of our memory
whenever we fell asleep at night, itwhenever we fell asleep at night, it
would be the same as if we died andwould be the same as if we died and
a new person woke up in our bodya new person woke up in our body
the next morning.the next morning. History is theHistory is the
memory of a nationmemory of a nation."."
Thomas Sowell, "The Vision of the Anointed."Thomas Sowell, "The Vision of the Anointed."

3. What We Teach:What We Teach:
History and the Social SciencesHistory and the Social Sciences
 Social sciences include history asSocial sciences include history as
well as geography, economics,well as geography, economics,
psychology, anthropology,psychology, anthropology,
political science/civics andpolitical science/civics and
sociologysociology
 Diversity of curriculum developsDiversity of curriculum develops
a broad spectrum of learninga broad spectrum of learning

4. Why We Teach It, orWhy We Teach It, or
Why Study the Social Sciences?Why Study the Social Sciences?
 To understand people and societiesTo understand people and societies
 To understand change and how theTo understand change and how the
society we live in came to besociety we live in came to be
 To understand the importance ofTo understand the importance of
history in our own liveshistory in our own lives
 To understand how history contributesTo understand how history contributes
to moral understandingto moral understanding

5. Why Study Social Sciences?Why Study Social Sciences?
(continued)(continued)
 To provide identity—To provide identity—
cultural literacy: acultural literacy: a
shared history that isshared history that is
assumed all alreadyassumed all already
know.know.
 To become responsibleTo become responsible
citizenscitizens

6. Why Study Social Sciences?Why Study Social Sciences?
(continued)(continued)
 To develop essential skillsTo develop essential skills
• Critical thinkingCritical thinking
• QuestioningQuestioning
• Making connectionsMaking connections
• Adapting to newAdapting to new
situationssituations
 To succeed in theTo succeed in the
world of workworld of work

7. 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 selectiveprofit) 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 thatLess than half of college seniors knew that
NATO was formed to resist Soviet expansion.NATO was formed to resist Soviet expansion.

8. It’s Not your Parents’ SocialIt’s Not your Parents’ Social
Studies classStudies class
 Schools used to emphasize solely theSchools used to emphasize solely the
memorization of facts.memorization of facts.
 Today the emphasis is onToday the emphasis is on skillsskills (concepts,(concepts,
connections and application) because ofconnections and application) because of
the concern that students in the U.S. arethe concern that students in the U.S. are
leaving high school without the necessaryleaving high school without the necessary
skills to function in higher education andskills to function in higher education and
the workforce in order to be globallythe workforce in order to be globally
competitive.competitive.

9. However, content is just asHowever, content is just as
necessary because:necessary because:
• it provides contextit provides context
and perspective forand perspective for
new learningnew learning
• it helps us reconcileit helps us reconcile
time and spacetime and space
• some is essential tosome is essential to
build a framework forbuild a framework for
skill developmentskill development
• skills without factsskills without facts
result in knowledgeresult in knowledge
gapsgaps

10. Our Focus is on EssentialOur 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 anExample: What does it mean to be an
American?American?

11. How are we preparing our studentsHow are we preparing our students
for the 21for the 21stst
century?century?
 What skills areWhat skills are
needed?needed?
 What skills are weWhat skills are we
teaching?teaching?
 How are studentsHow are students
responding?responding?
 Are our methodsAre our methods
working?working?
 Are they learning?Are they learning?

12. Partnership of 21Partnership of 21stst
Century SkillsCentury Skills
developed this framework:developed this framework:

13. In Other Words, the skills needed inIn Other Words, the skills needed in
the 21the 21stst
Century are:Century are:
• Creativity and innovationCreativity and innovation
• Critical thinking and problem solvingCritical thinking and problem solving
• CommunicationCommunication
• CollaborationCollaboration
• Information literacyInformation literacy
• Media literacyMedia literacy

14. 2121stst
Century Skills (continued)Century Skills (continued)
 Information and CommunicationInformation 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

15. New Jersey State StandardsNew Jersey State Standards
for Social Studiesfor Social Studies
 Social Studies SkillsSocial Studies Skills
 CivicsCivics
 World HistoryWorld History
 United States / New Jersey HistoryUnited States / New Jersey History
 EconomicsEconomics
 GeographyGeography

16. 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/AmericanGrade 4: Colonization/American
Revolution/Government (U.S. & NJ)Revolution/Government (U.S. & NJ)
 Grade 5: 5 Themes of Geography/AncientGrade 5: 5 Themes of Geography/Ancient
CivilizationsCivilizations

17. Essential Questions, Grades 1-Essential Questions, Grades 1-
55
 What is family? How can differences bringWhat is family? How can differences bring
people together?people together?
 How do communities meet the needs of itsHow 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 affectHow does the movement of people affect
others and the physical environmentothers and the physical environment
around them?around them?
 How does geography impact humans? HowHow does geography impact humans? How
do humans impact geography?do humans impact geography?

18. 55thth
Grade TaskGrade 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 6Decide 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 sourcesCite sources
• Write a 3-5 paragraph essay explaining whyWrite a 3-5 paragraph essay explaining why
the person chosen meets the criteriathe person chosen meets the criteria
• Word process the documentWord process the document

19. Our Curriculum:Our Curriculum:
MIDDLE SCHOOLMIDDLE SCHOOL
 Grade 6Grade 6
• World HistoryWorld History
 Topics: Geography / Birth ofTopics: 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 throughColonization through
ReconstructionReconstruction

20. Essential Questions, Grade 6Essential Questions, Grade 6
 Why are the legacies of one societyWhy are the legacies of one society
important to another society?important to another society?
 How does the culture of a societyHow 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 toWhat causes a society to want to
expand?expand?

21. 66thth
Grade Research TaskGrade Research Task
 Museum exhibitMuseum exhibit
• Choose a society that has had aChoose a society that has had a
significant impact on the worldsignificant impact on the world
• Research the society and a specificResearch 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

22. Essential QuestionsEssential Questions
Grades 7/8 A (Social Sciences)Grades 7/8 A (Social Sciences)
• How does government affect humanHow 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 itsHow does a nation’s government affect its
relations with its citizens and the rest of therelations with its citizens and the rest of the
world?world?
• How is wealth distributed among individualsHow is wealth distributed among individuals
and nations?and nations?
• How does the use and distribution ofHow does the use and distribution of
available resources affect people’s lives?available resources affect people’s lives?

23. Essential QuestionsEssential Questions
Grades 7/8 B (U.S. History)Grades 7/8 B (U.S. History)
 Can different cultures blend and appreciateCan different cultures blend and appreciate
each other?each other?
 How does where you live effect how youHow does where you live effect how you
live?live?
 Why do people revolt?Why do people revolt?
 How do governments balance the commonHow do governments balance the common
good and individual rights?good and individual rights?
 Is compromise the best solution to solveIs compromise the best solution to solve
conflict?conflict?
 What qualities make an effective leader?What qualities make an effective leader?

24. 77thth
/8/8thth
Grade Research TaskGrade Research Task
 Examine 10 significant events in world orExamine 10 significant events in world or
U.S. historyU.S. history
 Choose one event to explore in moreChoose 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-paragraphdevelop a thesis and write a 5-paragraph
research paperresearch paper
 Math connection: collect data, place it in aMath connection: collect data, place it in a
spreadsheet and create a chart or graph tospreadsheet and create a chart or graph to
present to peers in science classpresent to peers in science class

25. 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 ofGrades 11 & 12: many choices of
electiveselectives
 *Required for graduation*Required for graduation

26. Essential QuestionsEssential Questions
Grade 9Grade 9 (Government & Economics)(Government & Economics)
 Does any one form of government bestDoes any one form of government best
protect the rights of the individuals?protect the rights of the individuals?
 What role should government play inWhat role should government play in
balancing the needs of individuals versusbalancing the needs of individuals versus
the needs of the community?the needs of the community?
 Does the government have theDoes the government have the
responsibility to protect the rights of allresponsibility 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 theWhat role should government play in the
distribution of wealth?distribution of wealth?

27. Essential QuestionsEssential Questions
Grade 10 (U.S. History)Grade 10 (U.S. History)
 How does war impact society and theHow does war impact society and the
individuals involved in war? What can beindividuals involved in war? What can be
learned from war?learned from war?
 How does the global community affect theHow does the global community affect the
U.S?U.S?
 How did the U.S. government expand itsHow did the U.S. government expand its
involvement in the economy during theinvolvement in the economy during the
1930s?1930s?
 How does propaganda influence people’sHow does propaganda influence people’s
opinions and actions?opinions and actions?
 What was and is the role of the U.S. in theWhat was and is the role of the U.S. in the
world?world?

28. Essential QuestionsEssential Questions
Grade 11(Global Studies)Grade 11(Global Studies)
 How has the spread of religion shaped ourHow 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 moreIs it possible for China to maintain a more
open economy in a society that is still closedopen economy in a society that is still closed
politically?politically?
 What does the rise of India mean for the restWhat does the rise of India mean for the rest
of the world?of the world?
 How is globalization changing the face ofHow is globalization changing the face of
South Asia?South Asia?
 How has Russia’s failure to develop a vibrantHow has Russia’s failure to develop a vibrant
economic system caused a cycle of reformeconomic system caused a cycle of reform
and repression in Russian political life?and repression in Russian political life?

29. ElectivesElectives
 In grades 11 & 12, students may choose fromIn grades 11 & 12, students may choose from
the following electives. Currently there are 923the following electives. Currently there are 923
students enrolled in social studies electives atstudents 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

30. More ElectivesMore Electives
 Students may also choose from theStudents 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

31. Co-curricular activitiesCo-curricular activities
 The following clubs and activities relatedThe following clubs and activities related
to the social studies are offered at theto the social studies are offered at the
high school:high school:
• Psychology ClubPsychology Club
• Military Education ClubMilitary Education Club
• Model UNModel UN
• Dead Presidents Society (historyDead Presidents Society (history
club)club)
• Phi Alpha Theta (history honorPhi Alpha Theta (history honor
society)society)

32. So, Your Child Wants to Major inSo, Your Child Wants to Major in
Social Studies?Social Studies?
 What can you do with a major inWhat 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/museumBecome 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 opportunitiesThese are just a few of the opportunities
availableavailable

33. How Does Social Studies ApplyHow Does Social Studies Apply
Outside the Classroom?Outside the Classroom?
 It provides knowledge and understandingIt provides knowledge and understanding
and the ability to think, adapt andand the ability to think, adapt and
questionquestion
 It educates people for citizenship “in aIt educates people for citizenship “in a
multicultural, democratic society” (Starmulticultural, democratic society” (Star
Ledger Sept ’08)—E pluribus unum: outLedger Sept ’08)—E pluribus unum: out
of many, oneof many, one
““And if we think them (the people) notAnd if we think them (the people) not
enlightened enough, the remedy is toenlightened enough, the remedy is to
inform them by education.”inform them by education.”
~Thomas Jefferson~Thomas Jefferson

34. What does this all mean?What does this all mean?
 ““If we dedicate ourselves to studyingIf we dedicate ourselves to studying
our history rightly, if we take theour history rightly, if we take the
time to look at the entirety of ourtime to look at the entirety of our
firmament, we will see what ourfirmament, we will see what our
Founders saw we could be, whatFounders saw we could be, what
foreigners who came here saw allforeigners 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

35. 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—adiscovering our local history—a
presentationpresentation

36. SourcesSources
 American Historical AssociationAmerican Historical Association
 Equipped for the Future ContentEquipped for the Future Content
StandardsStandards
 National Council for the SocialNational Council for the Social
StudiesStudies
 The History ChannelThe History Channel

37. PresentersPresenters
 Nicole PormilliNicole 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