The meaning of Social Studies Social studies is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence. Within the school program, social studies provides coordinated, systematic study drawing upon such disciplines as anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, history, law, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, and sociology, as well as appropriate content from the humanities, mathematics, and natural sciences. The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world. (NCSS Task Force on Standards for Teaching and Learning in the Social Studies, 1993, p. 213)

The ultimate goal of social studies teaching students—to help students think critically and to use what they know to be active citizens. Social studies is the study of people. Social studies should help students acquire knowledge, master the processes of learning, and become active citizens. Social studies should promote the acceptance of cultural diversity. Social studies should focus on the major events and important individuals in American history and seek to transmit to young people the American concepts of liberty and equality. Social studies should be issues centered, as students search for answers to problems and dilemmas confronted by people today and in the past. Social studies should develop democratic citizens who are more than loyal and patriotic; good citizens are also critics of, and participants in, their government. Social studies should focus on the big ideas of the social science disciplines, and the essential activity for children is problem solving. Social studies should be child centered and permit students to pursue topics of personal interest.

Study of history and civilizations Observe ancient artifacts Study of people Opinions respected Citizenship of all races Identity of ethnicity Archaeology to discover past Laws to obey Society norms Travel to new places without fear Union of 50 states Diversity achieves freedom Interdependent upon each other Equality to all 1st class citizens Solving problems will get to solutions Study of history and civilizations Observe ancient artifacts Collection of information from the past Investigate cultures Archeological digs Literature and language Study of geography Tools, trade, technology Understand civics, citizenship Discover connection past to present Involves everyone to speak their opinions Exploration leads to open minds Solve the problems of fear in our world