A meaningful curriculum and its accompanying pedagogy are interactive among students and teachers. Such a curriculum embraces the what, how, and why of learning. Teachers use resources, materials, and student ideas to create learning opportunities that are meaningful, authentic, content rich, problem-based, socially-responsible and relevant.

Teachers value and purposefully structure learning by using students’ prior knowledge, life experiences, perspectives, learning strengths, and talents.

Teachers continue to learn and grow in collaboration with others. Teachers learn as they use critical experiences to solve professional problems and use that knowledge to refine future practice.

While learning is often divided into disciplines (e.g. history, geography, science, the arts, English etc.) the world that we teach about is not. Social studies teachers connect students to the world around them through exploring events and experiences outside of the classroom that are current and relevant, incorporating all subject areas and promoting further growth and learning.

Citizens make informed choices and are aware of the impact their decisions and actions have on others (locally and globally). Citizens care both about the common good and the unique needs of individuals. Teachers and students recognize and respect each other as citizens of the classroom, school, community, nation and the world.