Social Studies Curriculum Overview

1. Social Studies Curriculum Overview Curriculum Open House Night February 9, 2011 Presentation also available on the Social Studies Department Homepage http://shs.westport.k12.ct.us/socst

2. Course Sequence • All Staples Students must complete a minimum of 3.5 credits in Social Studies • All freshman will take Global Themes beginning with the 2011-12 school year • Sophomores: US History • Junior/Senior Year: Area Studies, American Government, Electives Our Program

3. Core Skills • Comprehensive writing program in grades 9, 10, and American Government courses • Coordination with Writing Consultant • Common assessments, rubrics • Graduation standards in effective writing, speaking, historical understanding • Consistency in skills and content through common assessments, exams, course-alike planning time Our Program

4. Global Themes: Overview • New curriculum for 2011-12 school year • Comprehensive social science approach to the study of historical and current issues • Examination of three themes • Global Interconnections • Revolutions • Imperialism • Content in each theme based on a case-study model 9th Grade

5. Global Themes: Curriculum • Emphasis is on thinking about critical questions, less on ‘coverage’ of content • Teacher choice of many topics of study • Capitalize on teacher expertise, creativity • More opportunity to go into depth • Every unit still has core experiences, writing requirements • Each thematic unit includes a ‘Contemporary Connection’ • Connecting social science concepts and content to the world today 9th Grade

6. Global Themes: Real-World Problem Solving • Final Assessment based on SHS/District Goal • Fourth quarter is largely designed as a case study of a part of the world that was influenced by Western imperialism • Africa, India, Middle East, Latin America, Southeast Asia • Final Assessment addresses an issue facing much of the world—legacies of the Age of Imperialism 9th Grade

7. Global Themes: Parallel Skills w/English • Skill Connections • Critical Reading • Three-step reading process • Making notes/annotating text • Critical Writing • Development of a thesis • Use of relevant evidence • Critical Thinking • Three levels of questions • Periodic self-reflection 9th Grade

8. Global Themes: Levels • “A” Level • Enriched college-preparatory class • Strengthening habits of self-directed learners, engaged in higher-order critical thinking skills • “B” Level • Support for college-preparatory studies • Developing habits of self-directed learning, critical thinking skills • “Honors” Level • Advanced studies for students who can engage independently in the highest levels of critical thinking 9th Grade

9. A Level • “A” levelis appropriately challenging for the vast majority of students • Continue skill development from middle school • Persuasive writing using supportive information • Individual and collaborative experiences • Using technology for research, demonstration of learning 9th Grade

10. B Level • Designed to support struggling learners • Below grade-level readers and writers • Students who struggle to work without constant adult help • Content is reduced to concentrate on building basic skills • Personal organization • Note-taking, summarizing, identifying main point • Goal is to prepare students for A-level in 10th grade 9th Grade

11. Honors Level • Designed for students seeking an extra challenge • Self-motivated learners, students interested in engaging in independent inquiry • Greater depth of abstract, critical, and original thinking required • Must be able to handle larger, longer-term assignments • Must be able to read more complex texts • Must be willing to be accountable to/collaborate with classmates 9th Grade

12. Assessments & Activities • Primary document study • Students will develop analytic skills, moving away from teacher selected sources to student selected sources • Socratic Seminars • Select most relevant information, be expected to ask and address critical questions • Presentations • Present ideas, findings, own work as individuals and in groups • Practice researching • Continue the basics of research skills from 8th grade social studies 9th Grade

13. Summary of Levels 9th Grade

14. Recommendations/Overrides • Your child’s 8th grade teacher has submitted their recommendation for 9th grade • To change recommendations, override must be completed and submitted to guidance by March 31st • After March 31st, a spot in the class cannot be guaranteed • 9th grade teachers DO NOT see whether students were recommended or not for their course 9th Grade

15. United States History • Offered as A level, Honors, and Honors Collaborative • All courses are thematic • Students must meet department writing standard in order to pass the course Honors • Open to all 10th grade students • History from the perspective of traditionally underrepresented groups Honors Collaborative • Concentration on one theme throughout the year • No division between what is English class and what is Social Studies class 10th Grade

16. American Government • Students can take two courses to fulfill government requirement • American Government • Semester course • Emphasis on simulation-based study of functions of government • Study of Federal, State, and Local systems • Requires public speaking • AP United States Government & Politics • Full-year • Comprehensive college-level study of institutions of government and the political process • If a student does not meet goal on 10th grade CAPT Interdisciplinary Writing section, must do so through writing in their government class 11th & 12th Grades

17. Semester courses Open to juniors and seniors Focus on Impact of geography Foundations of traditional society & religion Political and economic trends Contemporary issues Areas: Africa East Asia Latin America Middle East May also be taken for elective credit Area Studies 11th & 12th Grades Note: This requirement may be modified for the Class of 2015

18. Electives: Introduction to Economics Psychology Women in History Anthropology Environmental Studies (w/Science Department) Current Issues (seniors only) Advanced Placement courses AP Economics AP World History AP United States History AP United States Government and Politics Electives • Generally open to Juniors and Seniors 11th & 12th Grades

19. Still Have Questions? • Visit the website • http://shs.westport.k12.ct.us/socst • Available on SHS BlackBoard Homepage: Learning > Teachers Online> Social Studies Department • Call: • Staples High School Guidance office at 341-1225 • James D’Amico, Social Studies Department Chair at 341-1399