The goals of the revised social studies curriculum are much more in line with a competency based approach and less focused on the content. Right from the Social Studies page “The primary goal of Social Studies education is to give students the knowledge, skills, and competencies to be active, informed citizens who are able to think critically”. This whole goal is based on engaging students in critical thinking, and opens up so many different opportunities for cross curricular connections.

Here are some of the main core competencies that stand out to me

 

Communicating: Connecting and engaging with others, exchange ideas and perspectives

Collaboration: Supporting group interactions, determining common purposes and accomplishing goals together

Critical and Reflective Thinking: Reflecting and assessing, questioning and investigating new information, evaluating things from different perspectives

Positive Personal and Cultural Identity: Understanding relationships and cultural contexts, recognizing personal values and choices, identifying personal strengths and abilities

Social Awareness and Responsibility: Building relationships, resolving problems, contributing to community and caring for the environment, valuing diversity

Personal Awareness and Responsibility: Self-advocating, self-regulating, well-being

A lot of Social Studies Big ideas revolve around learning about communities, societies, and being an involved and educated person within these communities. It focuses on learning about our past and how that affects us today, how civilizations began and have changed over time, and problems we still face to this day. The article I am attaching here is a breakdown of Social Studies Big Ideas from K-10

Social Studies Big Ideas