The Meaning of Social Studies Main Ideas Social

The Meaning of Social Studies Main Ideas Social studies is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic duty and responsibility. Social studies draws upon disciplines of anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, history, law, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, and sociology, humanities, mathematics, and natural sciences. The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world. (NCSS Task Force on Standards for Teaching and Learning in the Social Studies, 1993, p. 213)

The Meaning of Social Studies This Year • The ultimate goal of social studies—to help students think critically and to use what they know to be active democratic citizens. • Social studies is the study of people and their cultural values. • Social studies will promote the acceptance of cultural diversity. • Social studies will focus on the major events and important individuals in American history and American concepts of liberty, rights and equality and equity.

Examples: Create a group acrostic in spirals, each letter must have at least 4 words. Study of how people adapt to environment Opinions respected, informed decisions Study of history and civilizations long ago Citizenship of all races Observe ancient artifacts for proof Identity of ethnicity and nationality Collection of information from the past to present Investigate cultures celebrate diversity Archaeology to discover the past Archeological digs reveal language communication Laws to obey, civic responsibility Literature themes convey the way of past lives Society morals, values to live by Travel to new places without fear Union of 50 states to promote patriotism Diversity achieves freedom for all Interdependent upon each other Equality to all 1 st class citizens Solving problems will get to solutions Study of democratic ideals Tools, trade, technology tell truths Understand civics, citizenship, rights and equality Discover connection past to present Involves everyone’s rights to freedom of speech Exploration leads to open minds Solve the problems of fear in our world

Essential questions throughout the year: 1. How do students become active participants in a democratic society? 2. To what rights are all humans entitled? 3. Why study history? Why does the past matter? What are the benefits to studying the past today? 4. Why are there conflicts within U. S. then & now? 5. How does geography, government, economics, citizenship, diversity within cultural beliefs, values of society and global relations affect citizens in United States? 6. How can we intelligently confront racism, hatred and bigotry so we can learn to have empathy and compassion for others? 7. Why do perspective and bias matter?