Download Curricular Framwork - School District 27J

School District 27j’s Social Studies
The Social Studies program is about informed inquiry because when we think like a historian, political scientist, economist and geographer . . .
In each of the four social studies disciplines, we think through the lenses of the following overarching big ideas:
History
Context, continuity, and change
Causation and Argumentation
Unity and Division
The Significance of Ideas as Powerful
Forces through History
Geography
Spatial Representation
Human Environment Interaction
Patterns and Movements
Global Interconnectedness
Economics
Decision Making
National Economy
Markets and Exchanges
Global Economy
Civics
Civil Institutions
Processes, Policies, Rules,
Laws
Participation and Deliberation
Definitions of big ideas are at the end of the frames
Transfer: Because . . . historians, on their own, every day, are developing questions and planning inquiries, applying disciplinary concepts and
tools, evaluating sources and using evidence, communicating conclusions and taking informed action
Overarching Transfer Skills: Use the historical method of inquiry to ask questions, evaluate primary and secondary sources, critically analyze and
interpret data, and develop interpretations defended by evidence.
The purposes of history are to:
The purposes of economics are to:
Analyze key historical periods and patterns of change over time within
and across nations and cultures
Understand the allocation of scarce resources in societies through
analysis of individual choice, market interaction, and public policy
Develop an understanding of how people view, construct, and
interpret history
Acquire the knowledge and economic reasoning skills to make sound
financial decisions (PFL)
The purposes of geography are to:
The purposes of civics are to :
Develop spatial understanding, perspectives, and personal connections
to the world
Compare how various nations define the rights, responsibilities, and
roles of citizens
Examine places and regions and the connections among them
Understand different forms of government and international
organizations and their influence in the world community
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Civilizations of the Western Hemisphere
Major concepts: Geography: Human and environment interaction (HEI)
HEI are essential aspects of human life in all societies and they occur at local-to-global scales. HEI happen both in specific places and across broad
regions. Culture influences the locations and the types of interactions that occur. Earth’s human systems and physical systems are in constant
interaction and have reciprocal influences flowing among them. These interactions result in a variety of spatial patterns that require careful
observation, investigation, analysis and explanation.
Major concept: Unity and Division


The concept of Unity and Division is complex and asks students to view history through multiple perspectives, issues and events that either
unified or divided people.
Students may choose to focus on a conflict or a compromise, but if the topic includes one as well as the other, the student needs to
address both sides of the theme to understand how individuals, groups or nations became unified or divided.
Major Concept: Markets & Exchanges
 When people voluntarily exchange goods and services, both parties expect to gain as a result of the trade. Markets exist to facilitate the
exchange of goods and services.
 When buyers and sellers interact in well-functioning, competitive markets, prices are determined that reflect the relative scarcity of the
goods and services in the market.
 The principles of markets apply to markets for goods and services, labor, credit, foreign exchange, and others.
Supporting concepts:
History: Causation and argumentation
 Historical thinking involves using evidence and reasoning to draw conclusions about probable causes and effects, recognizing that these
are multiple and complex.
 Along with claims about causes and effects, historical arguments can also address issues of change over time, the relevance of sources, the
perspectives of those involved, and many other topics, but must be based on evidence that is used in a critical, coherent, and logical
manner.
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Geography: Spatial representation

This is a skill-driven concept of creating maps and other geographical representation, which requires a process of answering geographic
questions; gather relevant information, and using effective ways to communicate the findings. Once a map or other representation is
created, it prompts new questions concerning the locations, spaces, and patterns portrayed. Creating maps and other geographic
representations is an essential and enduring part of seeking new geographic knowledge that is personally and socially useful and that can
be applied in making decisions and solving problems.
Understandings



Students will understand that certain characteristics are necessary for civilizations to function properly
Students will understand that great civilizations leave a legacy
Students will understand that humans utilize, adapt to, and adapt their environment in order to survive.
Essential/Compelling/Guiding questions:
How has the changing relationship between human beings and the physical and natural environment affected human life from early times to the
present?
Why have relations among humans become so complex since early times?
How have human views of the world, nature, and the cosmos changed?
What are the major characteristics of civilizations?
How do civilizations cause people to unify?
How do civilizations cause people to divide?
Why have civilizations succeeded and failed?
What factors influence the development of civilizations and nations?
Why are the characteristics of civilizations necessary?
How were the Aztec, Mayan, and Inca civilizations organized?
How were the Aztec, Mayan, and Inca economies similar/different?
How do different economies control the means of production and distribution of goods and services?
Why did the early Native American cultures of North America settle where they did?
Are the early Native American cultures of North America civilizations?
What characteristics can be found across civilizations?
How does environment help shape the culture of a civilization?
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How can communities create and sustain a healthy environment?
How are the civilizations of Aztecs, Maya and Inca civilizations similar and different?
Foundational knowledge
Aztec, Maya, Inca civilizations
Early Native American cultures of North America
Foundational Skills
Identify ways different cultures record history (DOK 1)
Give examples of how people have adapted to their
physical environment (DOK 1)
Economic systems of Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas
Interactions of physical and human systems in the Western
Hemisphere
Physical features of the Western Hemisphere
7 Characteristics of Civilizations
Types of maps
Primary and secondary sources
Agrarian Revolution
Fab 5 (water, resources, geography, arable land, climate)
Use longitude, latitude, and scale on maps and globes to
solve problems (DOK 1-2)
Collect and analyze data to interpret regions in the Western
Hemisphere (DOK 1-3)
Ask multiple types of questions after examining geographic
sources (DOK 2-3) Identify physical features and explain
their effects on people in the Western Hemisphere (DOK 12)
Interpret documents and data from multiple primary and
secondary sources while formulating historical questions.
Sources to include but not limited to art, artifacts,
eyewitness accounts, letters and diaries, real or simulated
historical sites, charts, graphs, diagrams and written texts
(DOK 1-3)
Identify and analyze different economic systems
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Exploration and Exchange
Major Concept: Context, continuity and change

Chronological reasoning requires understanding processes of change and continuity over time. It also involves coming to
understand how a change in one area of life relates to a change in other areas, thus bringing together political, economic,
intellectual, social, cultural, and other factors.

Understanding the interrelation of pattern of change requires evaluating the context within which events unfolded in order not to
view events in isolation, and to be able to assess the significance of specific individuals, groups, and developments.

In addition, historical understanding requires recognizing this multiplicity of points of view in the past, which makes it important to
seek out a range of sources on any historical question, rather than simply use those that are easiest to find.
Major Concept: Patterns and movements

Humans have spread across the planet, along with their cultural practices, artifacts, languages, diseases, and other attributes. All
of these interconnections create complex spatial patterns at multiple scales that continue to change over time. Global-scale issues
and problems cannot be resolved without extensive collaboration among the world’s peoples, nations, and economic
organizations. Asking and answering questions about global interconnections and spatial patterns and movements are a necessary
part of geographic reasoning.
Major Concept: Markets & Exchanges
 When people voluntarily exchange goods and services, both parties expect to gain as a result of the trade. Markets exist to
facilitate the exchange of goods and services.
 When buyers and sellers interact in well-functioning, competitive markets, prices are determined that reflect the relative scarcity
of the goods and services in the market.
 The principles of markets apply to markets for goods and services, labor, credit, foreign exchange, and others.
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Supporting Concepts
History: Causation and argumentation
Geography: Spatial representation
Understandings:
Students will understand that cultures are often a mix of multiple cultures
Students will understand that stronger nations want to control weaker nations.
Students will understand that people move to improve their lives.
Essential/Compelling/Guiding Questions
How did the Columbian Exchange impact the cultural and social make-up of Western Hemisphere countries?
What were the goals of European explorers?
How can a culture keep their customs and traditions?
Foundational Knowledge
Major European explorers of the Western Hemisphere
Columbian Exchange
Foundational Skills
Interpret documents and data from multiple primary and secondary sources
while formulating historical questions. Sources to include but not limited to art,
artifacts, eyewitness accounts, letters and diaries, artifacts, real or simulated
historical sites, charts, graphs, diagrams and written texts (DOK 1-3)
Explain how people, products, cultures, and ideas interacted and are
interconnected over key eras in the Western Hemisphere (DOK 1-2)
Determine and explain the historical context of key people, events, and ideas
over time including the examination of different perspectives from people
involved.
Understand the allocation of scarce resources in societies through analysis of
individual choice, market interaction, and public policy
Interpret and communicate geographic data to justify potential solutions to
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problems (DOK 1-3)
Distinguish different types of maps and use them in analyzing an issue (DOK 1-3)
Use longitude, latitude, and scale on maps and globes to solve problems (DOK
1-2)
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Relationships among Western Hemisphere Countries
Major concept: Global Interconnectedness
 Earth is a set of interconnected ecosystems of which humans are an influential part. Many natural phenomena have no perceptible
boundaries. For example, the oceans are one dynamic system. The atmosphere covers the entire planet. Land and water forms shift over
geological eons. Many life forms diffuse from place to place and bring environmental changes with them. Humans have spread across the
planet, along with their cultural practices, artifacts, languages, diseases, and other attributes. All of these interconnections create complex
spatial patterns at multiple scales that continue to change over time. Therefore, global-scale issues and problems cannot be resolved
without extensive collaboration among the world’s peoples, nations and economic organizations. Finally, asking and answering questions
about global interconnections and spatial patterns are a necessary part of geographic reasoning.
Major Concept: Process, Policies, Rules, and Laws
 Civics is the discipline of the social studies most directly concerned with the processes and rules by which groups of people make
decisions, govern themselves, and address public problems. From the classroom to agreements among nations, people address problems
at all scales. Public policies are among the tools that governments use to address public problems. Students must learn how various rules,
processes, policies and laws actually work, which requires factual understanding of political systems and is the focus of this section. They
must also obtain experience in defining and addressing public’s problems.
Supporting Concepts
History: Causation and argumentation
Geography: Spatial representation
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Understandings:
Students will understand that government systems vary
Students will understand that the rights, roles, and responsibilities of a citizen are dependent upon the type of government in which they live
Students will understand that government systems and economic systems are interconnected and influence one another.
Students will understand that neighboring nations influence each other in both positive and negative ways.
Students will understand that different governments’ public policies impact other nations
Essential/Compelling/Guidance Questions
How important are the relationships among Western Hemisphere nations?
What is the relationship among major governments of the Western Hemisphere?
What has been America’s role in the Western Hemisphere?
What does it mean to live in an interconnected world?
How can you be a productive member of the global community and a contributing citizen of the United States?
Why are there greater challenges and opportunities when multiple groups interact?
Why are national and global viewpoints sometimes different?
How do different government’s concepts of citizenship impact their relationships with other nations?
Foundational Knowledge
Citizenship over time
Current government systems of North America,
Central America and South America
Americans influence in the Western Hemisphere
Historical relationships among governments of the
Western Hemisphere
Foundational Skills
Analyze the interconnectedness of America and other nations
Discuss advantages and disadvantages of living in an interconnected world (DOK 1-2)
Examine changes and connections in ideas about citizenship in different times and
places (DOK 1-3)
Describe how groups and individuals influence the government and other nations
(DOK 1-2)
Explain how political ideas and significant people have interacted, are interconnected,
and have influenced nations (DOK 1-3)
Analyze political issues from both a national and global perspective over time (DOK 14)
Identify historical examples illustrating how Americans from diverse backgrounds
perceived and reacted to various global issues (DOK 1-3)
Interpret and communicate geographic data to justify potential solutions to problems
(DOK 1-3)
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Distinguish different types of maps and use them in analyzing an issue (DOK 1-3)
Use longitude, latitude, and scale on maps and globes to solve problems (DOK 1-2)
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Economic Systems of Western Hemisphere Countries
Major Concept: National Economy
What does this mean? Changes in the amounts and qualities of human capital, physical capital, and natural resources influence current and future
economic conditions and standards of living.
All markets working together influence economic growth and fluctuations in well-being.
Monetary and fiscal policies are often designed and used in attempts to moderate fluctuations and encourage growth under a wide variety of
circumstances.
Policies changing the growth in the money supply and overall levels of spending in the economy are aimed at reducing inflationary or deflationary
pressures; increasing employment or decreasing unemployment levels; and increasing economic growth over time.
Policies designed to achieve alternative goals often have unintended effects on levels of inflation, employment, and growth.
Major concept Global Economy
What does this mean? Economic globalization occurs with cross-border movement of goods, services, technology, information, and human,
physical, financial capital. Understanding why people specialize and trade, and how that leads to increased economic interdependence, are
fundamental steps in understanding how the world economy functions. While providing significant benefits, it is not without costs. Comparing
those benefits and costs is essential in evaluating policies to influence trade among individuals and businesses in different countries.
Major concept: Human and environment interaction
HEI are essential aspects of human life in all societies and they occur at local-to-global scales. HEI happen both in specific places and across broad
regions. Culture influences the locations and the types of interactions that occur. Earth’s human systems and physical systems are in constant
interaction and have reciprocal influences flowing among them. These interactions result in a variety of spatial patterns that require careful
observation, investigation, analysis and explanation.
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Supporting concepts
History: Causation and argumentation
Geography: Spatial representation
Understandings:


Students will understand that the differences among economic systems of impacts their relationships with other countries
Students will understand that changes in the amounts and qualities of human capital, physical capital, and natural resources influence
current and future economic conditions and standards of living.
Essential/Compelling/Guiding Questions
How do different systems address the production of goods?
How are scarce resources distributed in different types of economic systems?
How do different economies control the means of production and distribution of goods and services?
How do the resources of different Western Hemisphere countries affect their economies?
How do the different Western Hemisphere nations’ governments shape their economies?
How does economic development across Western Hemisphere countries differ, based on individual income and education?
Why do Western Hemisphere countries have different levels of economic development?
Foundational Knowledge
Different types of economic systems
Western Hemisphere countries’ major careers
Physical features of the Western Hemisphere, as they relate to
different countries’ economic systems
Foundational Skills
Describe the characteristics of traditional, command, market, and
mixed economic systems (DOK 1-2)
Explore how different economic systems affect job and career options
and the population’s standards of living (DOK 1-2)
Use economic reasoning to explain why certain careers are more
common in one region than in another and how specialization results in
more interdependence (DOK 2-Classify and analyze the types of
connections between places (DOK 2-3)
Identify physical features and explain their effects on people in the
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Western Hemisphere (DOK 1-2)
Give examples of how people have adapted to their physical
environment (DOK 1)
Analyze positive and negative interactions of human and physical
systems in the Western Hemisphere (DOK 1-2)
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Building Personal Wealth
Major Concept: Decision Making
What does this mean? Economic decision making involves setting goals and identifying the resources available to achieve those goals. Alternative
ways to use the resources are investigated in terms of their advantages and disadvantages.
Personal financial decision making involves managing our wants and needs, as we set our financial goals. Savings and investing are introduced as
different ways to achieve our short- and medium-term goals.
Understandings
Student will understand that saving and investing are key contributors to financial well-being
Students will understand personal financial decisions affect the well-being of individuals, businesses, and societies.
Foundational Knowledge
Methods of Savings
Methods of Investing
Risk vs. Reward
Different types of interest
Financial well-being
Foundational Skills
Differentiate between saving and investing (DOK 1-2)
Give examples of how saving and investing can improve financial wellbeing (DOK 1-2)
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of saving for short- and
medium-term goals (DOK 1-2)
Explain the importance of an emergency fund (DOK 1)
Explain why saving is a prerequisite to investing (DOK 1)
Explain how saving and investing income can improve financial well-being
(DOK 1-2)
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Definitions of the Big Ideas
History: Causation and Argumentation What does this mean?
No historical event or development occurs in a vacuum; each one has prior conditions and causes, and each one has consequences.
Historical thinking involves using evidence and reasoning to draw conclusions about probable causes and effects, recognizing that these
are multiple and complex.
Historical thinking requires understanding that the outcome of any historical event may not be what those engaged in intended or
predicted, so that chains of cause and effect in the past are unexpected and contingent, predetermined.
Along with claims about causes and effects, historical arguments can also address issues of change over time, the relevance of sources, the
perspectives of those involved, and many other topics, but must be based on evidence that is used in a critical, coherent, and logical
manner.
History: Context, Continuity & Change What does this mean?
Chronological reasoning requires understanding processes of change and continuity over time. It also involves coming to
understand how a change in one area of life relates to a change in other areas, thus bringing together political, economic,
intellectual, social, cultural, and other factors.
Understanding the interrelation of pattern of change requires evaluating the context within which events unfolded in order not to
view events in isolation, and to be able to assess the significance of specific individuals, groups, and developments.
In addition, historical understanding requires recognizing this multiplicity of points of view in the past, which makes it important to
seek out a range of sources on any historical question, rather than simply use those that are easiest to find.
Finally, students must understand that perspectives change over time, so that historical understanding requires developing a sense
of empathy with people in the past whose perspectives might be very different from those of today.
History: Significance of Ideas as Powerful Forces throughout History: What does this mean?
The world is interconnected through the exchange of ideas as evident in science, technology, and economies. Examples include the
printing press, trade routes, spread of information through the Internet, scientists working collaboratively but living in different countries,
and instant reporting on the Internet.
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Philosophies, religions, and other powerful ideas have developed over time and across the world. Examples include the spread of
religions around the globe, minority rights over time, exploration of space and the oceans, and the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights)
Literature, art (drama, music, dance) reflect and express powerful ideas over time, such as equal rights, civil disobedience, religious
thought and expression, government issues)
Historical thinkers study and analyze the impacts that arise from the interaction of political, philosophical, technological, artistic, and
scientific thought.
History: Unity and Division: What does this mean?
The concept of Unity and Division is complex and asks students to view history through multiple perspectives, issues and
events that either unified or divided people.
The processes of conflict, compromise and cooperation are studied to determine how people became united or divided. For example,
divisions between groups existed without compromise. In others, compromise was reached before major conflicts ensued. In the end
some divisions were averted with compromises, like treaties. However, more often, the unity and/or division of people in history reflect
both conflict and compromise.
Students may choose to focus on a conflict or a compromise, but if the topic includes one as well as the other, the student
needs to address both sides of the theme to understand how individuals, groups or nations became unified or divided.
To understand the historical importance of these unions or divisions, students must ask questions of time and place, cause and effect,
change over time, and impact and significance. They must ask not only when did events happen, but why did they happen? What factors
contributed to their development? What was the lasting influence in history? How did this topic change the course of events? What
effect did the event have on the community, society, nation and world?
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Geography: Spatial Representation: What Does This Mean?
This is a skill-driven concept of creating maps and other geographical representation, which requires a process of answering geographic
questions; gather relevant information, and using effective ways to communicate the findings. Once a map or other representation is
created, it prompts new questions concerning the locations, spaces, and patterns portrayed. Creating maps and other geographic
representations is an essential and enduring part of seeking new geographic knowledge that is personally and socially useful and that can
be applied in making decisions and solving problems.
Geography: Human Environment Interaction: What Does This Concept Mean?
HEI are essential aspects of human life in all societies and they occur at local-to-global scales. HEI happen both in specific places and
across broad regions. Culture influences the locations and the types of interactions that occur. Earth’s human systems and physical
systems are in constant interaction and have reciprocal influences flowing among them. These interactions result in a variety of spatial
patterns that require careful observation, investigation, analysis and explanation.
Geography: Patterns and Movements: What Does This Concept Mean?
Humans have spread across the planet, along with their cultural practices, artifacts, languages, diseases, and other attributes. All of these
interconnections create complex spatial patterns at multiple scales that continue to change over time. Global-scale issues and problems
cannot be resolved without extensive collaboration among the world’s peoples, nations, and economic organizations. Asking and
answering questions about global interconnections and spatial patterns and movements are a necessary part of geographic reasoning.
Geography: Global Interconnectedness: What Does This Mean?
Earth is a set of interconnected ecosystems of which humans are an influential part. Many natural phenomena have no perceptible
boundaries. For example, the oceans are one dynamic system. The atmosphere covers the entire planet. Land and water forms shift over
geological eons. Many life forms diffuse from place to place and bring environmental changes with them. Humans have spread across the
planet, along with their cultural practices, artifacts, languages, diseases, and other attributes. All of these interconnections create complex
spatial patterns at multiple scales that continue to change over time. Therefore, global-scale issues and problems cannot be resolved
without extensive collaboration among the world’s peoples, nations and economic organizations. Finally, asking and answering questions
about global interconnections and spatial patterns are a necessary part of geographic reasoning.
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Economics : Decision Making: What Does This Concept Mean?
Economic decision making involves setting goals and identifying the resources available to achieve those goals. Alternative ways to use
the resources are investigated in terms of their advantages and disadvantages.
Personal financial decision making involves managing our wants and needs, as we set our financial goals. Savings and investing are
introduced as different ways to achieve our short- and medium-term goals.
Finally, economic and personal financial decisions affect the wellbeing of individuals, businesses, and society.
Economics: Markets and Exchanges: What Does This Concept Mean?
When people voluntarily exchange goods and services, both parties expect to gain as a result of the trade. Markets exist to facilitate the
exchange of goods and services.
When buyers and sellers interact in well-functioning, competitive markets, prices are determined that reflect the relative scarcity of the
goods and services in the market.
The principles of markets apply to markets for goods and services, labor, credit, foreign exchange, and others.
Economics: National Economy: What Does This Concept Mean?
Changes in the amounts and qualities of human capital, physical capital, and natural resources influence current and future economic
conditions and standards of living.
All markets working together influence economic growth and fluctuations in well-being.
Monetary and fiscal policies are often designed and used in attempts to moderate fluctuations and encourage growth under a wide
variety of circumstances.
Policies changing the growth in the money supply and overall levels of spending in the economy are aimed at reducing inflationary or
deflationary pressures; increasing employment or decreasing unemployment levels; and increasing economic growth over time.
Policies designed to achieve alternative goals often have unintended effects on levels of inflation, employment, and growth.
Economics: Global Economy: What does this concept mean?
Economic globalization occurs with cross-border movement of goods, services, technology, information, and human, physical, financial
capital. Understanding why people specialize and trade, and how that leads to increased economic interdependence, are fundamental
steps in understanding how the world economy functions. While providing significant benefits, it is not without costs. Comparing those
benefits and costs is essential in evaluating policies to influence trade among individuals and businesses in different countries.
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Civics: Civic and Political Institutions: What Does This Concept Mean?
In order to act responsible and effectively, citizens must understand the important institutions of their society and the principles that
these institutions are intended to promote. Thus, we must move our students toward a mastery of a body of knowledge about law,
politics, and government.
Civics: Process, Policies, Rules, and Laws: What Does This Concept Mean?
Civics is the discipline of the social studies most directly concerned with the processes and rules by which groups of people make
decisions, govern themselves, and address public problems. From the classroom to agreements among nations, people address problems
at all scales. Public policies are among the tools that governments use to address public problems. Students must learn how various rules,
processes, policies and laws actually work, which requires factual understanding of political systems and is the focus of this section. They
must also obtain experience in defining and addressing public’s problems.
Civics: Participation and Deliberation: What Does This Concept Mean?
Civics teaches the principles—such as adherence to the social contract, consent of the governed, limited government, legitimate authority,
federalism, and separation of power—that are means to guide official institutions such as legislatures, courts, and government agencies. It
also teaches the virtues—such as honesty, mutual respect, cooperation, and attentiveness to multiple perspectives—that citizens should
use when they interact with each other on public matters. Principles such as equality, freedom, liberty, respect for individual rights, and
deliberation apply to both official institutions and informal interactions among citizens. Therefore, students need to understand virtues
and principles by applying and reflecting on them through actual civic engagement—their own and that of other people from the past and
present.
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