We explore important topics like culture, resistance, and conquest. We talk about economics and what makes an economy good or bad, delve into war and ask if it’s something that humans always have to do, and look at the challenges our world faces today, like climate change and inequality, and how we can make a better system for a sustainable planet.
The themes and essential questions are:
Beliefs, traditions migrations and resistance
- How is culture and the denial of culture used as a tool for conquest?
- How are culture and language used as acts of resistance?
War and Militarization
- What is worth fighting for?
- Is war inevitable between humans?
Capitalism, Imperialism and Struggles for Liberation
- What is an economy of extraction?
- How does a sustainable human centered economy look?
Confronting the new world disorder: human rights and social movements and the challenges for climate change, fascism, economic inequality, and globalization
- How is the current state of the climate related to the Western economic system and culture?
- What system do we need to create a sustainable planet?
Social Studies
Social Studies
The goal of Social Studies at the School District of Philadelphia is the continued development of students who can think critically, question thoughtfully, listen deeply, reason soundly, and have a passion for engaging in the world informed by an understanding of community responsibility.
Guiding Principles of Social Studies Instruction
Grade/Course Specific Overview:
Kindergarten
Students will explore the theme of “My Identity-Who Am I?” where students learn about their rights, roles, and responsibilities within their community.
1st Grade
Students will explore their roles and responsibilities within their community, learning about the importance of contributing positively to their surroundings.
2nd Grade
Students will explore the concept of “Unity in our community,” learning about cooperation, teamwork, and the importance of working together for common goals.
3rd Grade
Students will engage with critical topics such as “Issues in communities and defining justice,” where they will explore concepts of fairness, equity, and resolving conflicts within their communities.
4th Grade
Introduces students to geography through various content and skills.
5th Grade
Designed to provide students with an introduction to Geography and United States History.
6th Grade
Focuses on civilizations in the Eastern Hemisphere.
7th Grade
Focuses on civilizations in the Western Hemisphere.
8th Grade
Focuses on United States History.
High School U.S History (Reconstruction to Modern Era)
In High School United States History, we learn about the events and ideas that made America what it is today, all while trying to answer the question, “What is America’s identity from its history?”
African American History
The new African American History lessons want to take students on an exciting trip through history. We’ll begin with ancient African civilizations and go all the way to today’s issues. We’ll learn about sustaining culture, standing up for what’s right, and how people saw the world back then.
Key Components:
World History
We explore important topics like culture, resistance, and conquest. We talk about economics and what makes an economy good or bad, delve into war and ask if it’s something that humans always have to do, and look at the challenges our world faces today, like climate change and inequality, and how we can make a better system for a sustainable planet.
The themes and essential questions are:
Beliefs, traditions migrations and resistance
War and Militarization
Capitalism, Imperialism and Struggles for Liberation
Confronting the new world disorder: human rights and social movements and the challenges for climate change, fascism, economic inequality, and globalization
Social Sciences: Civics and Economics
Civics
We explore the history of democracy in the United States and the struggles against unfair systems. We learn about how to be active in our communities and understand democracy.
Economics
We learn about how money and resources work, and talk about how some people have more power and money than others and how this affects the world. We study:
Resources
Resources for Families
Resources for Students
Video Resources