Building a High School Credit - Social Studies
Sample Social Studies Guide
Scope and Sequences of Social Studies Courses
Please refer to the social studies scope and sequences which you can google ie; High school US history for guidelines and information about the common topics and/or concepts covered in typical high school social studies courses. Keep in mind that these provide ideas and in no way obligate you to study the course exactly as listed.
Each full credit/1.0 should have a broad overall theme, such as US History, European History, Asian History, World Civilizations, Ancient Civilizations, etc.
See Edmonds School District HS Credit
If the focus of study is narrow, such as Washington State History, Global Studies, Greco-Roman History, Chinese History, 20th Century History, etc., then apply for half/.5 credit.
Goals: Refer to Washington State EALRs, benchmark 3 (high school level standards).
Note: You may wish to integrate your social studies theme with another course of study, such as language arts. The following activities can satisfy both courses of study provided that the work meets high school standards in both learning areas. In such cases, the time and energy spent on these activities are expected to be equivalent to 2 credits worth of work.
Each course of study must include goals and activities relating to all four of the following areas:
- History
- Geography
- Civics
- Economics
Reading Component
- Suggestion: Use a high school level textbook as a guideline/framework for the course of study.
- Read a minimum of 3 books: 1 biography, 1 non-fiction or literary fiction (classic) by an author from the time period or about the time period, the remaining reading may be historical fiction, short stories or you may choose from either of the previous categories. These books should come from a ‘recognized’ reading list such as National Council of Teachers of English, American Library Association, etc.
- Read for research (thesis-based) projects. Readings and analysis of 10 or more primary source items (books, letters, newspaper articles, journals, photographs, etc.) and 10 or more secondary sources.
- Read to develop an understanding of specialized vocabulary from topic of study (this vocabulary may include words related to history, geography, civics, and economics).
Communications Component
- Speaking (demonstrations, presentations, informative speeches, asking questions, political campaigning, interviews, etc.)
- Listening (presentations, lectures, note-taking, oral directions, interviews, documentaries, T.V and radio broadcasts, movies, cultural performances and exhibits, theatrical performances, etc.)
- Interpersonal (panel and class discussions, drama, debates, group interaction, multi-media and other presentations, etc.)
- Visual communications (reading and creation of timelines, maps, charts, graphs, 2-D and 3-D art, videos, web page, visit museums/art exhibits, etc.)
- Self-evaluation (set personal goals, evaluate your own strengths, weaknesses and growth, etc.)
- Evaluation of other (evaluate museum/art exhibits, cultural projects, book content, etc.)
Writing Component
- Required: 2 Research (thesis-based) Projects. At least 1 must include a final visual product.
- Required: At least 4 different writing samples from the remaining 6 choices.
- Research (thesis-based) Essay. Use primary and secondary sources – include citations within text and bibliography/works cited list. (topic suggestions: famous people, famous events, technological contributions/advancements, cultural practices, contributions to humanities, government systems, economics, etc.)
- Creative Writing. Should show a direct relation to the course of study. (examples: historical fiction – short story, mock journal of a person within historical time period, poetry, play/video, etc.)
- Expository: (examples: explain an invention and its relevance to history, explain procedure for artifact analysis, film/documentary review, compare/contrast between book and film, compare/contract two different historical accounts of the same event/period, etc.)
- Persuasive: (examples: critique a public policy, write an editorial or letter to the editor, argue a position on an issue of controversy, prepare and deliver a speech to a significant audience, write a book review or review a museum exhibit or historical site, etc.)
- Technical: (examples: write a mock newspaper, design a web page, create a documentary, design a book cover, use a database to search for magazine and newspaper articles, create on online museum etc.)
- Note-Taking from lectures, readings, videos, etc.
- Responding to study questions from textbooks, readings, videos, etc. These questions need to be open-ended, requiring students to reflect upon what they have learned and express it in their own words (the answers cannot be found directly in the text).
Completion Indicators
- A portfolio which includes evidence of the knowledge gained in all four social studies areas (history, geography, civics, economics) during the course of study as demonstrated through:
- Reading components
- Communications components
- Writing components
- Other Activites
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