Curriculum & Instruction
History & Social Sciences Department
Coordinator: Annie Evans
(434) 245-2665
Anne.Evans@ccs.k12.va.us
History and Social Science is one of the four core subjects in the school curriculum. The curriculum development is structured around the 2008 revised Standards of Learning. The Sample Scope and Sequence Guides offer suggestions of how the knowledge, skills, and processes that are identified in the Standards of Learning may be introduced to students in a logical, sequential, and meaningful manner.
Interwoven throughout the history and social science content are spiraling strands in history, geography, civics, and economics. Through the study of history, students better understand their own society, as well as others. The curriculum guides students to understand the relationships between past and present, to appreciate the heritage and contributions of other cultures, and to value ideas and the contributions of individuals as agents of change and progress.
Geography instruction provides an understanding of the human and physical characteristics of the earth's places and regions and how the environment influences culture. Geographic skills include the ability to use maps and globes, to interpret graphs and diagrams, and to observe and record information accurately.
The goal of the civics strand is to develop in all students the requisite knowledge and skills for informed, responsible participation in public life. Civics instruction develops a basic understanding of politics and government and the skills of good citizenship.
In the final strand, students are introduced to the basic economic principles that underlie the market economy to help prepare them to be intelligent consumers, employers and workers.
Elementary History & Social Science
Elementary history and social science curricula are in place for students in grades kindergarten through six. Primary students begin to apply basic map skills and learn about our country’s national symbols and famous American leaders’ contributions. Students learn about diversity and the historical contributions of others from their study of several ancient civilizations. World and United States Regions, a fourth grade course of study, provides overarching understandings about the geography and history of the regions within the United States. Teachers use a variety of resources including content readers and Social Studies Alive!: Regions of Our Country, published by Teachers Curriculum Institute. Students learn about the social sciences, the diversity of the United States, and the impact geography has on a regions economy and society.
Fifth grade students focus specifically on Virginia Studies and sixth graders study the United States from pre-Columbian times until 1865. In both of these courses emphasis is placed on the interpretation of primary documents, determining cause and effect relationships, comparing and contrasting historical events, drawing conclusions and making generalizations, and making connections between past and present. Teachers use a wide variety of resources including primary source documents, correlated trade books, textbooks, atlases, and a variety of educational websites.
Secondary History & Social Science
On the secondary school level emphasis is placed on students developing their skills in analysis, discussion, and writing to help them with further developing their basic values, principles, and citizenship.
Buford Middle School
Seventh grade students study United States History: 1865 to the Present and eighth graders focus specifically on Civics and Economics. Each course scaffolds the social science content which prepares students in a rigorous academic setting to be successful as they transition from middle to high school.
Charlottesville High School
An array of appropriate history and social science course sequences and electives are available for students in grades nine through twelve. In making their choices, students consult with guidance counselors to find classes that best match their own interests and abilities. The selection of a course is made with careful reference to the prerequisites that serve as indicators of the academic skills and knowledge necessary for success.
Course Sequence
A course sequence for the Charlottesville City Schools follows:
Elementary courses:
- Kindergarten- Introduction to History and the Social Sciences
- Grade 1 - Introduction to History and the Social Sciences
- Grade 2 - Introduction to History and the Social Sciences
- Grade 3 - Introduction to History and the Social Sciences
- Grade 4 - World and United States Regions
Upper Elementary Courses:
- Grade 5 - Virginia Studies
- Grade 6 - U.S. History I – United States History to 1865
Middle School courses:
- Grade 7 - U.S. History II – United States History: 1865 to the Present
- Grade 8 - Civics and Economics
Secondary courses:
- World History I – World History and Geography to 1500 A.D. (SOL Test)
- World History II – World History and Geography: 1500 A.D. to the Present (SOL Test)
- Virginia and United States Government
- AP World History (WHII SOL and AP Test)
- AP Human Geography (World Geography SOL test and AP test)
- AP United States History (SOL and AP Test)
- AP Government (AP Test)
- Government (Dual Enrollment with PVCC)
- AP European History (WHII SOL and AP Test)
- AP Psychology (AP Test)
- AP Economics (both AP Micro and AP Macro Tests)
- Psychology
- Criminal Justice (elective, Dual Enrollment with PVCC), no SOL
- Economics
- African-American History (elective)
Please note: In the Charlottesville City Schools, Virginia Studies is taught in the fifth grade as a one-year course. Some prerequisite skills are presented in the fourth grade course, World and United States Regions. This differs from the sequence that is outlined by the Virginia Department of Education.