Mara Steindam, District Coordinator, Social Studies and Home & Careers

"…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.

·         Shift #1: Focus on Conceptual Understanding

·         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

 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

http://www.engageny.org/resource/new-york-state-k-12-social-studies-framework