The History/Social Science/Civics Coordinator of the Orange County Department of Education provides curriculum resources, coaching, and professional development to History and Social Science/Studies educators throughout Orange County. In order to serve students, parents, families and the community, History/Social Science/Civics courses and experiences should include the following:

• A classroom culture based upon principles from Universal Design for Learning and resources from the California Multi-Tiered System of Support Framework that supports the learning of all students.

• Compelling unit questions, e.g. What does it mean to be an American? (see Problems, Questions and Themes in the History and Geography Classroom in the History-Social Science Framework for Public Schools).

• Supporting lesson questions and questions for formative assessment, e.g. purpose, texts, tasks, support and extension? (see Assessment of Proficiency in History-Social Science in the History-Social Science Framework for Public Schools).

• Reading of primary and secondary sources from written, visual and audio formats. 

• Tasks that help students understand the major themes, patterns of human interaction, concepts, significant events/turning points, and people in the History-Social Science Framework for Public Schools.

• Tasks that ask students to participate in disciplinary thinking e.g. causation, perspective-taking, or contextualization (see the Historical and Social Sciences Analysis Skills in the History-Social Science Content Standards).

• Tasks that encourage students to interpret and produce content in order to support the development of literacy especially for students who are emerging bilinguals (see the ELA/ELD Framework).

• Tasks that ask students to collaborate and participate in civic discourse, e.g. Partner Share, Socratic Seminar, Philosophical Chairs, Debate or Structured Academic Controversy.

• Periodic assessments that ask students to synthesize information and research, as well as make claims substantiated with evidence.

• Topics that include "the role and contributions of both men and women, Native Americans, African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, European Americans, lesbians, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans, persons with disabilities, and members of other ethnic and cultural groups" (Ed. Code Section 51204.5).

• Opportunities for students to participate in civic action e.g. community events, Public Service Announcements, or campaigns for a cause (see Practicing Civic Engagement: Service-Learning in the History-Social Science Framework).

• Experiences that help students develop digital literacy and exposure to differing types of databases, software and learning experiences.

If you would like to be added to our contact list for news and updates, please send your request to History-socialscience@ocde.us.