What is Social Studies?
The National Council for Social Studies Standards defines social studies as the integrated study of social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence.
The social studies curriculum also grows students’ abilities by:
- incorporates the study of history, geography, civics, and economics
- prepares students to become informed, responsible, participatory citizens
- helps students develop better analysis, collaboration, decision-making, and problem solving skills
- develops students knowledge of their community, nation, and the world
What is the Purpose of Social Studies?
To help young people make informed decisions for the public good of a culturally diverse society of our interdependent world.
An Introduction to the National Council for Social Studies Standards
There are 10 themes distributed throughout all social studies classes:
- Culture
- Time, Continuity, & Change
- People, Places, & Enviroments
- Individual Development & Identity
- Individuals, Groups, & Institutions
- Power, Authority, & Governance
- Productions, Distributions, and Consumptions
- Science, Technology, & Society
- Global Connections
- Civic Ideals & Practices
The Standards provide a framework as a way to organize knowledge of the human experience.
Many State Curriculum Standards acknowledge The National Standards and use them to developed their own.
Some Strategies & Skills Students Can Learn from Social Studies
Literacy Skills
Critical Thinking Skills
Learning Strategies
Research Based Literacy Strategies
Personal Interactions & Civic Engagement Strategies – P.I.C.E.S
The Importance of P.I.C.E.S
This strategy will enable young people to become competent and responsible citizens.
Students will be better able to participate in civic engagement once they can understand community issues, converse with others who may have a differing perspective, and exhibit morals for the concern of concerns and rights of others. They will also understand social responsibility, respect, and the belief that they can make a difference.
Co-creating with Social Studies Students
Social studies draws upon many subjects.
This includes economics, geography, history, law, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, sociology, humanities, and natural sciences.
It can also parallel with many other subjects.
Examples of Social Studies Connections in the DMV
Smithsonian Hirshorn Museum – an impact on society, how they can impact society, events that can inspire the art, highlighting social justice
Smithsonian National Zoo – anthropology, biology, conservation of resources, becoming a more sustainable society
National Museum of the Native American Indian – cultural development (individually and groups), identity, loss of culture, advocacy
Office of Historic Alexandria – the founding of America, founding ideas, development of founding ideas, improvement of ideas
Smithsonian Office of Educational Technology – how to use primary resources, analyzing documents and objects, making resources more accessible and user friendly
Smithsonian Office Under the Secretary for Education – becoming more sensitive of educator’s needs, resources they may need to access
Smithsonian National Museum of American History – American society, identity, culture
George Washington’s Mount Vernon – Virginia Social Studies relation, using primary sources, founding of America, STEAM aspects
References Used
Fauquier County Public Schools (2022). History and Social Science: Academic Information. fcps1.org. https://www.fcps1.org/Page/153.
National Council for the Social Studies (2010). National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies: A Framework for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment. Silver Spring, MD.
National Council for the Social Studies (2022). National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies: A Framework for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment. socialstudies.org. https://www.socialstudies.org/standards/national-curriculum-standards-social-studies.
Virginia Department of Education (2022). History & Social Science. doe.virginia.gov. https://doe.virginia.gov/instruction/history/.
Virginia Department of Education (2022). Review and Revision of History and Social Science Standards of Learning. doe.virginia.gov. https://doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/history_socialscience/2022/.
Museum People 
Thanks for your helpful organized information about teaching social studies through museum experiences. I loved the examples you shared.
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Thank you for your thoughtful post on social studies and your explanation of the critical skills they present to students of any age. Do you have any specific suggestions for navigating co-creating museum programs and spaces with these students? I would like to learn about some examples of how to co-create with students based on their knowledge and the skills they gain through a dynamic course such as social studies.
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Thanks for adding all the examples of social studies-based programs! Meeting state standards of education is a great way to “justify” programs to teachers and show how programs can benefit students. Social studies are such an interesting subject and a great one to utilize. Great job!
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Social Studies is often required in schools! It’s super important that Museums can help teach skills for learning them. Thank you for all the information on Standards of Education and how we as educators can help support student learning. You did a great job!
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