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"Social studies is the study of individuals, communities, systems, and their interactions across time and place that prepares students for local, national, and global civic life.
"Social studies is the study of individuals, communities, systems, and their interactions across time and place that prepares students for local, national, and global civic life.
Using an inquiry-based approach, social studies helps students examine vast human experiences through the generation of questions, collection and analysis of evidence from credible sources, consideration of multiple perspectives, and the application of social studies knowledge and disciplinary skills. As a result of examining the past, participating in the present, and learning how to shape the future, social studies prepares learners for a lifelong practice of civil discourse and civic engagement in their communities. Social studies centers knowledge of human rights and local, national, and global responsibilities so that learners can work together to create a just world in which they want to live."
Using an inquiry-based approach, social studies helps students examine vast human experiences through the generation of questions, collection and analysis of evidence from credible sources, consideration of multiple perspectives, and the application of social studies knowledge and disciplinary skills. As a result of examining the past, participating in the present, and learning how to shape the future, social studies prepares learners for a lifelong practice of civil discourse and civic engagement in their communities. Social studies centers knowledge of human rights and local, national, and global responsibilities so that learners can work together to create a just world in which they want to live."
Social Studies course progressions with links to approved textbooks for each course are available here.
Curriculum Guides
Curriculum Guides
Social Studies curriculum documents are archived and accessible to Social Studies teachers in the Google Shared Drives for each PLC. They are also linked below.
Middle School:
High School:
Our curriculum is aligned with the New York State Social Studies Curriculum Framework, the expectations of the Global History & Geography II and U.S. History & Government New Framework Regents exams and the College Board course outlines for the AP courses.
Teachers have created instructional and assessment resources for courses and saved them in Google Shared Drives accessible to PLC members. The chart below provides a list of Social Studies specific instructional technology resources approved for use at Shenendehowa. Links to specific content resources used to plan instruction are also included in the course curriculum documents.
Teachers have created instructional and assessment resources for courses and saved them in Google Shared Drives accessible to PLC members. The chart below provides a list of Social Studies specific instructional technology resources approved for use at Shenendehowa. Links to specific content resources used to plan instruction are also included in the course curriculum documents.
Google Classroom is our learning management system for students.
In addition, resources for the department to use are available in the MS & HS Social Studies Department Shared Drive to which all secondary department members have access.
Supporting the Needs of All Learners
Many resources are available to help Shenendehowa teachers work with English Language Learners. The links below will help you:
access learning profiles for your English Language Learners
learn how to correctly pronounce your students' names
learn more about technology tools to use with English Language Learners
enable translations during a virtual meeting with parents who are ELLs
work with an interpreter
resources to help you teach English Language Learners
Simple Things you can do to help an English Language Learner:
learn how to pronounce their name
gives them some materials in their first language
explains/models the rules for “American” games with which I’m not familiar
give them opportunities to speak
allow them to do group work or activities during class
write in print, rather than cursive
put homework in writing
speak a little more slowly
speak to them
save documents in Google Classroom so I can review the material later
provide copies of class notes
Secondary Social Studies assessment strategies include evaluating understanding through questioning, performance-based assessment, written products, multi-media products, discussion, and debate. Tools like Google Forms, eDoctrina and Formative are used for both formative and summative assessment in Social Studies classes. The Shen Learning Rubric has been adapted for use in Social Studies classrooms. It is available in a 5-level version for high school courses and a 4-level version for middle school courses in Infinite Campus and in our Department's Shared Drive.
PLCs develop common assessments that are saved in PLC Shared Drives and administered to students typically at the end of each quarter. An assessment calendar is created for each school year that lists the test numbers in eDoctrina, administration, scoring and data review dates. Data from these common assessments is collected through the District's assessment platform, eDoctrina. Results are shared with PLCs.
For more information, contact Lisa Kissinger, Social Studies Academic Administrator, at kisslisa@shenschools.org
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