Helen Webb

Social studies is the cornerstone of the curriculum.

Society

Organization of
Production

Culture

Interdependence

Authority

Social studies teaches students how to be informed and

active citizens in society. It is important to understand the
role and formation of different institutions that affect our
local, national and global societies.
Institutions such as schools, government agencies and
legal offices play critical roles in our daily lives and
contribute to how society is run. It is essential to
understand the roles these organizations play, and how
they help maintain societal structure.
It is important to understand the cycle of production,
distribution and consumption. This system is a constant
reality that drives our lifestyle, our economy and our
planet. It is essential to realize that we do not live in a
world with unlimited resources, and that there are many
populations who feel this struggle more than others.
Understanding the relationship between labor, production
and capital, as well as concepts such as planned
obsolescence and media driven consumerism is also
critical.
Learning values, traditions and behaviors that define a
particular group not only help us to gain greater
appreciation for how other people live, but also to
understand the aspects of ones own culture in order to
gain deeper meaning of our relationship to the world in
which we live. It is important to understand that there are
both similarities and differences among cultures.
Social studies teach basics of life in the state, the nation
and the world. Students need to recognize how each level
of society is dependent on and can have an effect upon
one another. World trade has become increasingly
relevant with the advances of technology. Questions as
simple as how food gets to the table, where different rules
and practices originated and how the products we have
come to rely on are created are all important to
understand. What role do we as individuals play in all of
that?
Social studies help students to understand the
development and function of different political systems of
government. It is not only important to understand how
our government functions today, but how it has evolved
over time, and in addition, how different systems of

Location

Science&Technology

Time

Understanding

Diversity

government vary from one another. Learning about these

differences lead to a better understanding of historical,
current and potential conflict. This knowledge gives
students power to be informed problem-solvers and
participants in social change.
Geography is important so that students can learn not
only where different countries are located, but how
populations relate to one and the impact of different
climates on how people live. Students should become
familiar with the area in which they live, expanding from
their neighborhood to their city their state and their
country. This level of understanding provides the concept
of community and builds a foundation for greater
understanding of the world.
Science and technology play an important role in society
today. Students need to learn not only how to use the
tools and information properly and how they came to be,
but also the ethics behind them. For example, students
must understand not only how to be a digital citizen but
why it is so vital. It is also important to look at different
points of view behind scientific discoveries such as
motorized vehicles, the internet and genetic testing. How
did these things come to be? What impact do they have
on society today? There are varying points of view
regarding the ethics of some of these tools. Social studies
helps students to become informed about these issues
and form their own values and beliefs.
Social studies explains the who, the why and the how of
many of the events throughout history, modern day, and
into the future. Social studies teaches a basis for life in an
ever changing world. Without Social studies, students will
be unable to form opinions and make important
connections between what went on in the past, what is
happening now, and what they will be responsible for in
the future.
Topics such as science and math prepare students for
future careers. Through Social studies, students learn how
to follow current events. In the future it will be crucial that
they are aware of the social and political issues around
them. Without the basis of Social studies knowledge, they
will not be able to develop their own stance on important
issues or act upon them, let alone understand what is
going on.
Social studies teaches students about tolerance. In life,

Identity

Economics

Synthesis

students will have to interact with a myriad of different

people. Without tolerance, students will subject
themselves to a very confined place. They will need to
understand why our differences make society richer, and
not just be able to identify different viewpoints, but also
understand them and be able to look at societal issues
from many different perspectives.
Personal identity is influenced by a variety of factors
including culture, social groups, and experiences. It is not
only important to be aware of these factors, but to
understand how these factors impact who we are. What
are the reasons for the social norms which we live by and
the ethical principles we choose to practice? It is also
important to understand the values that are important to
us as individuals and how to achieve our personal goals.
Without Social studies, students will not understand the
fundamentals of economics. In the job market, this is just
as important as the skills they obtain to perform specific
tasks. They need to learn how the economic process
works, how it has changed over time, and how to be able
to face financial issues.
Social studies is the cornerstone of the curriculum. It
allows students to take in a variety of information from
across the curriculum and make meaning out of it by
forming connections to different ideas, contexts and
circumstances. Students can apply math, science and
literacy to social and global concepts, allowing for a
deeper understanding and the ability to apply knowledge
across a variety of situations.