SOCIAL STUDIES

Program Area Philosophy Summary

We believe that social studies learning . . . is the study of how humans interact with each other and the environment over time, in order to make informed and reasoned decisions that guide social action in a diverse and interdependent world. We believe that being globally minded is grounded in thinking openly in order to evaluate information, reflect critically, plan strategically, and work independently and collaboratively to investigate problems big and small. We provide opportunities to engage with our learner attributes and empower each other to experience multiple perspectives and experiences, realize our impact and make positive contributions to our world. Being truly empathetic, having the desire to make connections with others and seeing the good, will allow for solution oriented problem solving.

Long Term Transfer Goals: Students will be able to independently and collaboratively use their learning in social studies to:

• Demonstrate curiosity, open-mindedness, and sensitivity when communicating and collaborating with others. Think critically as well as creatively, and be willing to take risks by embracing a growth mindset.

• Apply the skills and strategies for effective research inquiries and recognize the relevance of the lessons and contexts from the past.

• Seek to understand, actively listen, engage in civil discourse and take appropriate action that can lead to effective and positive change.

• Analyze the variety of physical, economic and social environments that people inhabit.

• Consider issues from multiple perspectives while acknowledging bias in oneself and others.

• Communicate one’s own point of view with supporting evidence.

We agree that social studies learning happens best when we provide opportunities for students to:

• Identify, to analyze critically and to evaluate theories, concepts and arguments relating to the nature and activities of individuals and societies.

• Examine their world, past, present and future through the lens of social justice, identity and diversity, sustainability and peace and conflict.

• Consider the concept of interdependence and the implications for our growing interconnectedness.

• Experience the incremental process of learning and taking action; roles can change, pathways can shift and slowing doesn’t always mean complacency or lack of advocacy.

• Take ownership of their learning through authentic experiences, research, constructive feedback, voice and choice, goal setting and accountability.

• Find balance between the safety and comfort of engagement for learning and the opportunity to experience discomfort, take risks, reflect and iterate.

• Learn how to empathize, actively listen, honor the experiences and perspectives of others and actively participate in problem seeking and problem solving.

Additional Program Information

Social Studies throughout grades six to eight focuses on overarching themes, or strands. At each grade level students learn specific topics in connection to these themes.

In each Social Studies unit students will study historical contexts through one or more of the lenses of history, civics, geography, economics, and/or psychology.

The overarching themes are organized according to CONTENT and PROCESS :

CONTENT:

• Social Justice - Political, social and/or economic systems determine the level and type of social justice people experience. Therefore, attaining social justice requires taking action to effect political, social and/or economic change, and social injustice is rooted in personal and cultural prejudice as well as socio-economic disparity.

• Identity & Diversity - Social diversity changes over time and varies due to diverse political, social, and economic systems. Because of this diversity, successful human interactions require understanding one’s own and others’ perspectives. Students will also understand that humans have both individual and shared identities and have intrinsic worth regardless of differences.

• Interdependence - Due to the inherent interconnectedness of people, places, economies and environments, choices and events often cause significant change, both locally and globally. Also, students will understand that people, places, economies and environments are all inextricably interrelated and that choices and events have repercussions on a global scale.

• Sustainability - Finding sustainable solutions requires managing change within and between economic, social, and environmental systems. Also, students will understand that creating a sustainable future involves improving the quality of life for people now without damaging the planet.

• Peace & Conflict - Political, social, and economic systems, as well as the changes within these systems, determine the degree of peace and/or conflict individuals or groups experience. Also, students will understand that conflicts are inevitable and there are differing perspectives on how to resolve them.

PROCESS :

• Inquiry & Research - Inquiry and diverse perspectives provide opportunities for alternative solutions and deeper understanding of issues. Also, students will understand that there are a variety of sources of information and sources are chosen based on the validity of and purpose for the information

• Communication - The ability to work effectively and respectfully with diverse teams, supports individual learning and contributes to the learning of others. Also, students will understand that effective communicators make informed choices to articulate meaning and enhance meaning for others, and that we have an ethical responsibility to represent both ours and others ideas honestly, accurately and respectfully.

• Reasoning Skills - Various types of reasoning must be applied in appropriate situations to construct meaning, define and/or solve problems to extend learning.

• Deliberating Public Issues - Engaging in discussions that involve multiple viewpoints allows the possibility of alternative resolutions to public issues.

• Text Analysis - Effective readers choose specific strategies based on genre and purpose for reading, and that text meaning is based on intention of the author and interpretation of the reader.

Courses

Grade 6-8 Social Studies Standards

Grade 6 Social Studies

Unit of Study

Adaptation

Innovation

Essential Question:

• How and why do people adapt?

• Why and how do people innovate?

• How do innovations impact people and their environment?

Urbanization

Governance

• How do cities meet the wants and news of their residents?

• How do growing cities impact people and the environment?

• Why do people form governing bodies?

• How do decisions impact people?

Grade 7 Social Studies

Unit of Study

Global Collaboration

Essential Question:

• What global issue do you care about?

• So, what really IS the issue?

• What can you and others do to take action to help solve a global issue?

Migration

Sustainable Future

Grade 8 Social Studies

• Why do people migrate?

• How does migration impact people and places?

• How can we use stories to build empathy?

• Why is sustainability important?

• What is our vision for a sustainable future?

• What is the impact of living in poverty?

Unit of Study Essential Question:

Identity and Perspective

Prejudice and Discrimination

• What factors shape our unique identities and how do we communicate that to others?

• Why do prejudice and discrimination exist?

• What are the effects of prejudice and discrimination?

• How can we be change-makers for social justice?

Confronting Genocide: Never Again?

• How can hate gain power?

• In times of crisis, what does it take to move from knowledge to action?

Sustainable Economics

• Do the benefits of globalization outweigh the drawbacks?

• What can we do, as consumers, to make a more ethical world?

• What’s the impact of our consumption?