Social Studies Standards & Benchmarks

Social Studies content standards and benchmarks have been identified by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. It is important to note that not all standards and benchmarks carry equal weight.

Occasionally, we'll find benchmarks that are very specific to one age group and one subject. While these skills are 'nice to know,' we want to spend as much time as possible on concepts that can be used again and applied in other areas. Many of the skills and concepts that are taught in Geography 7 and in World History are applicable to future social studies courses, to other school subjects, and to life beyond high school.

Below, you will find PDF files showing content standards for each age group. I have evaluated each standard and benchmark for the following: Readiness, Leverage, and Endurance. Reasonable people will disagree about whether each standard has these components. What I've written is just one man's opinion!

If a standard has Readiness, it contains a skill that will be required in a future social studies class.

If a standard has Leverage, it contains a skill that will be required in other subjects.

If a standard has Endurance, it contains a skill that'll be used beyond high school by virtually everyone.

If a standard has all three, it is a "PowerStandard" and deserves the greatest amount of time and attention in class. I have identified eleven PowerStandards for our department. See below for more information.