Social Studies to Foster Citizenship
The College, Career, & Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies is a guidance document used nationally by states, districts, and local educational institutions (e.g., K-8 schools) to guide the enhancement of instruction in civics, economics, geography, and history. The intention of this guidance is to facilitate student engagement in learning to foster citizenship. This goal is achieved through an Inquiry Arc structure that includes the use of primary sources and evidence to respond to compelling questions.
The Inquiry Arc diagram above shows the progression of inquiry that an instructional unit would follow. Grade-level appropriate units are then developed. Content, concepts, sources, and ways of communicating conclusions are moderated by age appropriate resources and focus areas for instruction. For example, language comprehension and decoding skills help students to “make meaning” of what they are learning - critical components for reading comprehension. Thus, early elementary students might engage with social studies topics through their English Language Arts (ELA)/ Literacy program. Middle school students, on the other hand, can engage with more complex content, research sources using digital and print resources to gather evidence for claims, and communicate conclusions using a variety of formats. Finally, a progression of study underlies the K-8 social studies program. This progression moves from a wide look at communities (e.g., classroom communities and local communities) to our state, our nation, world history and geography, and U.S. History.
Our students’ lives are intertwined with the community and world in which they live. Providing students with an updated approach to social studies learning will engage and empower students to inquire, explore, and make informed conclusions. It will instill in students problem solving tools that can be accessed long into their adult lives as informed citizens.
Kathleen Scholand
Curriculum Director