CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

Grade 7 social studies is the second year of a two-year course sequence and incorporates the Connecticut Social Studies Framework.

This two year course addresses global perspectives by employing 21st century digital communication tools while identifying salient interdisciplinary linkages for real-world applications (Curriculum 21, Jacobs). The thematic instruction organizes the curriculum around Human Geography and contemporary global issues while looking through the different world regions as a lens.

In seventh grade students delve deeper into disciplines including Regional History, Economic Decision Making, Human and Environmental Geography and Human Rights and Social Justice. Students acquire knowledge of world regions, cultures, economies and global issues by creating compelling questions and answering these questions through researching a variety of sources. Students then communicate these conclusions using 21st century technology to inform the public by collaborating to find creative solutions to non-standard complex problems in the world today. The Ridgefield Public Schools, Vision of the Graduate, will anchor the course with its 21st century skills.

LONG TERM GOAL: Taking on perspectives requires strategic decisions when accessing a variety of information sources.

VISION OF THE GRADUATE: Knowledge

BIG IDEA

The contemporary world can be interpreted and analyzed through various lenses including the past in turn informing and impacting conflicts.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

• How has conflict and cooperation shaped human history?
• Why do conflicts arise?
• How is conflict used/leveragedby an individual, community, large group, country, continent, the world?
• What is the cause and effect of conflict and resolution?
• What is the moral responsibility to promote peace and how is this done?

CONTENT

CONTENT STANDARDS

RH.6-8.1

WHST.6-8.1-8

LEARNING OUTCOMES Students will . . .

( -> . . . in Progress)

LONG TERM GOAL: Make decisions to find creative solutions to a non-standard complex economic problem by applying, evaluating and analyzing information.

VISION OF THE GRADUATE: Innovation

BIG IDEA - World regions and its people can be defined by looking through the economic lens.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

• How do economic decisions affect the wellbeing of individuals, businesses, and societies?
• How do economic decisions by a government affect its people?
• How does what we do and what we produce define us as a region?
• How do regions change and stay the same over time economically?

CONTENT

CONTENT STANDARDS

RH.6-8.1

WHST.6-8.1-8

D2.GEO.11.6-8

D2.HIS.2.9-12

D2.ECO.4.6-8, D2.ECO.6.6-8, D2.ECO.7.6-8, D2.ECO.8.6-8, D2.ECO.11.6-8, D2.ECO.13.6-8, D2.ECO.14.6-8, D2.ECO.15.6-8

D2.CIV.6.6-8, D2.CIV.6.9-12

LEARNING OUTCOMES Students will . . .

• define and identify economic systems, and policies.
• describe the relationship between economic organizations and systems in shaping people’s lives
• defend the benefits and costs of trade policies to individuals, businesses and society.
• identify and analyze economic output, unemployment, and inflation and deflation.