SECONDARY SOCIAL STUDIES (6-12) DEPARTMENT

Program Description

The secondary social studies course of study in Newport News public schools is designed to develop the knowledge and skills of history, geography, civics, and economics that will enable students to put into perspective people, places, ideas, and events that have shaped our state, our nation, and our world. 

In grades six through twelve, students will develop an understanding of the past, present, and future of our society and the society of others through the study of history.  As they study geography, they will develop an understanding of spatial relationships by looking at human and physical characteristics of places, how different groups interact with their environment, and how our communities and nations are affected by conditions and events in other places.  Studying civics will help them understand politics and government in order to be informed citizens and to participate in the public life of our community, state, and nation.  Studying economics will help them understand the function of the economy in our society and the world; their role as an employer, worker, producer, or consumer; and their role in the global marketplace. 

In addition, the courses in the social studies program are designed to develop the following skills and proficiencies:

• Recognizing and understanding cause and effect
• Analyzing the relationship between the past and the present
• Understanding and analyzing change over time
• Problem solving and decision-making
• Studying and comparing people, places, ideas, events
• Recognizing and analyzing multiple perspectives
• Making inferences and generalizations and drawing conclusions
• Gathering, classifying, sequencing & interpreting information and visual data
• Recognizing and interpreting spatial relationships.

Social Studies Enduring Understandings and Essential Questions

Secondary Social Studies Course of Study

Students take a sequence of social studies courses in grades 6 though 12. Three high school social studies courses (including US History and Government) are required for graduation. However, students must take and receive credit for four high school social studies courses (including US History and Government) in order to earn an advanced studies diploma.

High School social studies courses required for graduation are offered at average, honors, and advanced (AP, IB) levels.

In addition to required courses, high school students may choose from the following courses: AP Comparative Government, Sociology , Introductory Psychology, AP Psychology, American Foreign Policy, International Relations, A Multicultural World, Practical Law.

Secondary Social Studies Course Descriptions

• Middle School Course Descriptions
• High School Course Descriptions

Voices of a Nation

A federally funded program designed to raise student achievement by improving secondary school teachers' knowledge, understanding, appreciation, and teaching of American History. More information.