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.
