Social Studies

Social studies is a subject area that traditionally includes several disciplines: history geography; government; politics; economics; sociology; and psychology. Very early in the curriculum development process, we decided to anchor our K-12 social studies curriculum in history and geography believing that all of the disciplines above could be adequately tied to those root courses of study. Throughout this process, we operated from the position that a thorough knowledge of world and United States history and geography is essential if our students are to function as participating citizens in the world of the twenty-first century. Additionally, history and geography are fundamental to an understanding of many other disciplines: literature; philosophy; modern and classical languages; fine arts; social sciences; and applied sciences.

The National History Standards and the National Geography Standards provided a starting point for our K-12 curriculum. The Social Studies Curriculum Committee then developed the benchmarks and performance indicators that will allow us to assess our students as they work through the curriculum. In social studies, in contrast with other disciplines, not all standards are covered at all levels. The chart that follows explains what content is taught at each grade. Because of the nature of history, periods and events may be covered at more than one level at increasing levels of sophistication.

MSAD #16 Framework for Academic Standards Fall 1997

Social Studies 173