A discussion activity centered on a topic of interest to students helped teach seventh graders the rules of civic dialogue while engaging students with a range of academic abilities.

Political simulations in an AP class helped students learn content and skills while they also engaged with the structures and functions of government.

Artwork, such as the featured pieces related to the Kennedy assassination, can teach students both content and core historical thinking skills.

—Nicoletta PantziaraSince joining that European Union, Greece has instigated new laws to advance women’s status. But is legislation enough to help Greek women obtain grater autonomy?33

Ed O’BrienEducators can equip students with the knowledge and judgement necessary to confront situations such as those that occurred at Abu Ghraib by exploring issues raised by torture, discussing constitutional protections, and teaching about international commitments. 457

Sam ChaltainRecent research has shown that our students’ knowledge of the First Amendment is severely deficient. Our schools can play a major role in turning this around by becoming more open to debate and the exchange of ideas. 132

Teaching students about the U.S. processes and security safeguards that ensure fair elections can foster youth civic engagement and help counter voter suppression.   

Examining the featured pre-Civil War passport application of a Black anti-slavery activist can launch an engaging classroom lesson on the meaning of citizenship.  

Standards Main Page Executive Summary Preface Introduction Thematic Strands NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE SOCIAL STUDIES (NCSS) first published national curriculum standards in 1994. Since then, the social studies standards have been widely and successfully used as a framework for teachers, schools, districts, states, and other nations as a tool for curriculum alignment and development. However, much has changed in the world and in education since these curriculum standards were published. This revision aims to provide a framework for teaching, learning, and assessment in…

NCSS Position Statement Approved by the NCSS Board of Directors March 2019 As young children engage in their play and daily activities, they show a natural interest in the world around them. Early childhood educators may capitalize on these interests and carefully plan a variety of experiences with social studies in mind, cultivating and extending young children’s diverse skills and abilities to form and voice opinions, identify and solve problems, negotiate roles, perceive diversity and inequality, and recognize the consequences of their…