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SOCIAL STUDIES

“Bilingual social studies instruction engaging students in critical thinking and discussion.”

K–2: Foundations of Community & Culture

Core Focus: Identity, families, communities, rules, maps, beginning timelines, cultures, and basic economics.

Kindergarten

  • Understanding self, family, and classroom community

  • Basic needs and wants

  • Identifying community helpers

  • Intro to maps and globes (symbols, land/water)

  • Celebrations and cultural traditions

  • Following rules and understanding fairness

Grade 1

  • Local community: neighborhoods, leaders, and public services

  • Past vs. present; simple timelines

  • Basic economics: goods, services, producers, consumers

  • U.S. symbols and national holidays

  • Exploring cultures around the world

  • Geography: directions, simple maps

Grade 2

  • Communities across the U.S. (rural, urban, suburban)

  • How communities change over time

  • Citizenship: rights and responsibilities

  • Problem-solving for community challenges

  • Introduction to government roles

  • Map skills: continents, oceans, basic landforms

Grades 3–5: Expanding to Regions, Nations & History

Core Focus: North Carolina studies, U.S. history foundations, deeper civics, economics, and world cultures.

Grade 3 – North Carolina Studies

  • NC geography, regions, and natural resources

  • Indigenous peoples of NC

  • State history and state government

  • Local/global influences on NC communities

  • Map skills: grids, scale, physical/political maps

Grade 4 – Early U.S. History

  • Indigenous cultures of North America

  • Exploration and colonization

  • American Revolution origins and impact

  • Founding documents (age-appropriate)

  • Westward expansion

  • Citizenship and civic ideals

Grade 5 – U.S. Growth & Challenges

  • Civil War and Reconstruction

  • Industrialization and immigration

  • Rights movements and social change

  • Economics: supply/demand, trade, budgets

  • U.S. geography and regional identities

  • Foundations of global interdependence

Grades 6–8: Global Understanding & Civic Foundations

Core Focus: World civilizations, geography, modern global issues, and deeper U.S. civics.

Grade 6 – World Civilizations I​

Grade 7 – World Civilizations II  Contemporary World

  • Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas (500 CE–present)

  • Renaissance, Enlightenment, scientific and political revolutions

  • Imperialism and independence movements

  • Human rights and global conflicts

  • Geography: population, environment, globalization

Grade 8 – U.S. History & Civics

  • U.S. Constitution, branches of government, electoral processes

  • Expansion, conflict, and reform movements

  • Industrialization, immigration, urbanization

  • 20th-century conflicts and civil rights

  • Financial literacy foundations

  • Civic engagement and community action projects

High School 9–12: College, Career & Civic Readiness

Students complete core courses required for NC graduation as well as electives that strengthen global competence, debate, policy analysis, and cultural literacy.

Required Courses

Civics -9th Grade

  • Foundations of democracy

  • Constitution, federalism, checks/balances

  • Political parties, elections, media literacy

  • Rights and responsibilities of citizens

  • Public policy and contemporary issues

  • Mock trials, debates, and simulations

World History -10th Grade

  • Global civilizations and cultural developments

  • Political, economic, and social systems

  • World religions (objective study)

  • Global conflicts, alliances, and humanitarian issues

  • Comparative government and cultural interactions

American History 11th Grade

  • Colonization through Reconstruction

  • Industrialization, progressivism, immigration

  • The Great Depression and New Deal

  • World Wars and U.S. global leadership

  • Civil Rights and modern social movements

  • Contemporary America and policy analysis

Economics & Personal Finance   12th Grade

  • Micro and macroeconomic principles

  • Supply/demand, markets, and financial institutions

  • Taxes, credit, budgeting, saving, investing

  • Career readiness and economic decision-making

  • Global and national financial systems

High School Electives 9–12

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Human Geography

  • Population dynamics, migration

  • Urbanization and geopolitics

  • Cultural and economic systems

Psychology / Sociology

  • Human behavior, cognition, identity

  • Social groups and societal structures

  • Research projects and applied learning

African American Studies / Indigenous Studies

  • Cultural, historical, and contemporary contributions

  • Identity, equity, and civic engagement

Global Studies

  • International relations

  • Diplomacy and global problem-solving

  • Model United Nations

ASL History & Deaf Studies 

  • History of Deaf communities

  • Linguistic rights and accessibility

  • Deaf culture, arts, and global movements

  • ASL 1,2,3,4

Leadership & Public Policy

  • Education policy, environmental policy, health policy

  • Community leadership practicums

  • Speech, debate, and ASL/English presentation skills

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