NCSS Curriculum Standards for Social Studies


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If you need a brief description of each standard and how it can be applied to elementary, middle, and high school grades, then scroll way down and click on the blue text “Ten Thematic Strands in Social Studies.”

Resources for Using the NCSS Standards

The Social Studies in Action teaching practices library, professional development guide, and companion Web site bring to life the National Council for the Social Studies standards.

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The Curriculum Standards for Social Studies were developed by a Task Force of the National Council for the Social Studies and approved by the NCSS Board of Directors in April 1994.

Task Force:

Donald Schneider, Chair

Susan A. Adler

R. Beery

Gloria Ladson-Billings

William R. Fernekes

Michael Hartoonian

Mary A. McFarland

Gerald Marker

Marjorie A. Montgomery

Pat Nickell

Corrinne Tevis Image of the Standards book

National Council for the Social Studies

President, 1991-92: Margit McGuire

President, 1992-93: Charlotte C. Anderson

President, 1993-94: Denny Schillings

President, 1994-95: Robert J. Stahl

Executive Director: Susan Griffin

Director of Publications: Michael Simpson

Art Director: Gene Cowan

Editorial services for this publication and writing of the executive summary provided by Lynn Page Whittaker of Scorpio Educational Communications, Alexandria, VA.

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 94-068635

Copyright © 1994 National Council for the Social Studies

8555 Sixteenth Street

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

All rights reserved.

ISBN 0-87986-065-0

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

Electronic Publication on NCSS Online: January, 1996.

Copyright © 1994 National Council for the Social Studies. All electronic rights reserved.

What follows is an excerpt from the printed book. To purchase a complete copy of Expectations of Excellence: Curriculum Standards for Social Studies, please call NCSS Publications at 1 800 683-0812. Order number BU890094, $15.00 non-member, $12.75 NCSS members. You may also send check or money order to: NCSS Publications, P. O. Box 2067, Waldorf, Maryland 20604-2067.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Foreword: Robert J. Stahl

Preface: Michael Hartoonian

I. Introduction

  • What Is Social Studies?
  • How Do We Achieve Excellence in Social Studies?
    1. Supporting the Common Good
    2. Adopting Common and Multiple Perspectives
    3. Applying Knowledge, Skills, and Values to Civic Action
  • How Do We Meet the Social Studies Standards?
    1. Needed: Public Commitment, Time, and Resources
    2. Principles of Teaching and Learning
    3. School as a Learning Place
  • What Is the Purpose of the Social Studies Standards?
  • How Are the Social Studies Standards Organized?
  • Who Can Use the Social Studies Standards and How?
  • What Is the Relationship of the Social Studies Standards to Other Standards in the Field?

II. Ten Thematic Strands in Social Studies

  • Culture
  • Time, Continuity, and Change
  • People, Places, and Environment
  • Individual Development and Identity
  • Individuals, Groups, and Institutions
  • Power, Authority, and Governance
  • Production, Distribution, and Consumption
  • Science, Technology, and Society
  • Global Connections
  • Civic Ideals and Practices

The remainder of this publication is not available online. To order Curriculum Standards for Social Studies, please call toll free 1 800 683-0812.

III. Standards and Performance Expectations for Early Grades, Middle Grades, and High School: Reference Charts

IV. Standards into Practice: Examples for the Early Grades

V. Standards into Practice: Examples for the Middle Grades

VI. Standards into Practice: Examples for the High School

References

Appendices

  • A. Essential Skills for Social Studies
  • B. Democratic Beliefs and Values
  • C. Organizations Developing Standards in Other Fields of Study

Supplement

  • “A Vision of Powerful Teaching and Learning in the Social Studies: Building Social Understanding and Civic Efficacy”