SOCIAL STUDIES What we Teach, Why we Teach It

Why History Matters… "Memory is what makes us who we are. If we lost all of our memory whenever we fell asleep at night, it would be the same as if we died and a new person woke up in our body the next morning. History is the memory of a nation." "Memory is what makes us who we are. If we lost all of our memory whenever we fell asleep at night, it would be the same as if we died and a new person woke up in our body the next morning. History is the memory of a nation." Thomas Sowell, "The Vision of the Anointed."

What We Teach: History and the Social Sciences Social sciences include history as well as geography, economics, psychology, anthropology, political science/civics and sociology Social sciences include history as well as geography, economics, psychology, anthropology, political science/civics and sociology Diversity of curriculum develops a broad spectrum of learning Diversity of curriculum develops a broad spectrum of learning

Why We Teach It, or Why Study the Social Sciences? To understand people and societies To understand change and how the society we live in came to be To understand the importance of history in our own lives To understand how history contributes to moral understanding

Why Study Social Sciences? (continued) To provide identity— cultural literacy: a shared history that is assumed all already know. To provide identity— cultural literacy: a shared history that is assumed all already know. To become responsible citizens To become responsible citizens

Why Study Social Sciences? (continued) To develop essential skills To develop essential skills Critical thinkingCritical thinking QuestioningQuestioning Making connectionsMaking connections Adapting to new situationsAdapting to new situations To succeed in the world of work To succeed in the world of work

Essential Questions, What is family? How can differences bring people together? What is family? How can differences bring people together? How do communities meet the needs of its members? How do communities meet the needs of its members? What are the elements of Lenape culture? What are the elements of Lenape culture? How does the movement of people affect others and the physical environment around them? How does the movement of people affect others and the physical environment around them? How does geography impact humans? How do humans impact geography? How does geography impact humans? How do humans impact geography?

PEGS The Political, Economic, Geographic, and Social The Political, Economic, Geographic, and Social What are these? What are these?

Our Curriculum: MIDDLE SCHOOL Political: Political: of or relating to the government or the public affairs of a country. of or relating to the government or the public affairs of a country. Politics: Politics: the activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power. the activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power.

Economics the branch of knowledge concerned with the production, consumption, and transfer of wealth

Geography the study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere, and of human activity as it affects and is affected by these, including the distribution of populations and resources, land use, and industries. the study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere, and of human activity as it affects and is affected by these, including the distribution of populations and resources, land use, and industries.

Social of or relating to society or its organization.of or relating to society or its organization.

Major in Social Studies? What can you do with a major in history/social studies? What can you do with a major in history/social studies? Become an educatorBecome an educator Become a writer/editor/journalistBecome a writer/editor/journalist Become a librarian/archivist/museum curator/historic preservationistBecome a librarian/archivist/museum curator/historic preservationist Become a lawyer or paralegalBecome a lawyer or paralegal Become a psychologistBecome a psychologist Work for a non-profit organizationWork for a non-profit organization These are just a few of the opportunities availableThese are just a few of the opportunities available

How Does Social Studies Apply Outside the Classroom? It provides knowledge and understanding and the ability to think, adapt and question It provides knowledge and understanding and the ability to think, adapt and question It educates people for citizenship “in a multicultural, democratic society” (Star Ledger Sept ’08)—E pluribus unum: out of many, one It educates people for citizenship “in a multicultural, democratic society” (Star Ledger Sept ’08)—E pluribus unum: out of many, one “And if we think them (the people) not enlightened enough, the remedy is to inform them by education.” ~Thomas Jefferson ~Thomas Jefferson