"…The American people owe it to
themselves, and to the cause of free Government, to prove by their
establishments for the advancement and diffusion of Knowledge, that their
political Institutions . . . are as favorable to the intellectual and moral
improvement of Man as they are conformable to his individual & social
Rights. What spectacle can be more edifying or more seasonable, than that of
Liberty & Learning, each leaning on the other for their mutual & surest
support?”
—James Madison
Social
Studies directly equips students with the foundational knowledge and skills
that are necessary to understand and ask important questions in a rapidly
changing world. Social Studies can inspire the minds and hearts of young
citizens to deeply engage in their local, state, national, and global
communities as agents of change. In this way, Social Studies supports the moral
imperative of our schools to prepare educated and engaged citizens, which is at
the heart of a healthy democracy.
In a world
in which postsecondary education is increasingly linked to social mobility,
Social Studies empowers young people with the understandings, dispositions, and
critical thinking skills that lead to success in college and career. Moreover,
Social Studies readies students for today’s workplace, where foundational
problem-solving, communication and collaboration skills, and autonomy and
intellectual flexibility are all necessary in order to excel.
Recently,
the New York State Education Department implemented the New York State K-12 Social Studies Framework
which is designed to prepare students for college, careers, and civic life with
courses that are rigorous and aligned to New York State Learning Standards,
both Common Core and Social Studies. It
incorporates the New York State Common Core Learning Standards and recommends
the use of the National Council for the Social Studies’ C3 (College, Career and
Civic Life) Inquiry Arc as instructional methodology. Social Studies practices are
identified, as well as the key ideas, conceptual understandings, and content
specifications.
Instructional
shifts
·
Shift #1: Focus on Conceptual Understanding
·
Shift #2: Foster Student Inquiry, Collaboration,
and Informed Action
·
Shift #3: Integrate Content and Skills
Purposefully
Social Studies Practices
1)
Gathering, Interpreting and Using Evidence
2)
Chronological Reasoning and Causation
3)
Comparison and Contextualization
4)
Geographic Reasoning
5) Economics and Economic Systems
6) Civic Participation
Unifying Themes
1.
Individual Development and Cultural Identity
2.
Development, Movement, and Interaction of Cultures
3. Time,
Continuity, and Change
4.
Geography, Humans, and the Environment
5.
Development and Transformation of Social Structures
6. Power,
Authority, and Governance
7. Civic
Ideals and Practices
8. Creation,
Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems
9. Science,
Technology, and Innovation
10. Global
Connections and Exchange
Content Sequence
Kindergarten Self and Others
Grade 1 My Family and Other Families, Now and Long Ago
Grade 2 My Community and Other United States Communities
Grade 3 Communities Around the World
Grade 4 Local History and Local Government
Grade 5 The Western Hemisphere
Grade 6 The Eastern Hemisphere
Grade 7 History of the United States and New York -I
Grade 8 History of the United States and New York -II
Grade 9 Global History and Geography - I
Grade 10 Global History and Geography - II
Grade 11 United States History and Government
Grade 12 Participation in Government; Economics, the Enterprise System, and Finance
More details
about each grade level’s practices and content specifications can be found at:
http://www.engageny.org/resource/new-york-state-k-12-social-studies-framework
