Question

How can you build conceptual knowledge related to the 10 themes in social studies for your students? Share two examples.

Answer 1

The aim of social studies is the promotion of civic competence—the knowledge, intellectual processes, and democratic dispositions required of students to be active and engaged participants in public life. Although civic competence is not the only responsibility of social studies nor is it exclusive to the field, it is more central to social studies than to any other subject area in schools. By making civic competence a central aim, NCSS has long recognized the importance of educating students who are committed to the ideas and values of democracy. Civic competence rests on this commitment to democratic values, and requires the abilities to use knowledge about one’s community, nation, and world; apply inquiry processes; and employ skills of data collection and analysis, collaboration, decision-making, and problem-solving. Young people who are knowledgeable, skillful, and committed to democracy are necessary to sustaining and improving our democratic way of life, and participating as members of a global community.

The Ten Themes are organizing strands for social studies programs. The ten themes are:

1 CULTURE
2 TIME, CONTINUITY, AND CHANGE
3 PEOPLE, PLACES, AND ENVIRONMENTS
4 INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT AND IDENTITY
5 INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS, AND INSTITUTIONS
6 POWER, AUTHORITY, AND GOVERNANCE
7 PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION AND CONSUMPTION
8 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY
9 GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
10 CIVIC IDEALS AND PRACTICES