High School Social Studies

APPLICATIONS OF SOCIAL STUDIES PROCESSES, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS Collaboratively and independently, research, present and defend discipline-based methods and knowledge from civics/government, economics, geography and history in authentic contexts.

CIVIC KNOWLEDGE AND ENGAGEMENT Understand the rights and responsibilities of an American citizen and apply those attributes as a citizen to affect a real world issue. 

CIVICS AND GOVERNMENT Apply understanding of the ideals and purposes of founding documents, the principles and structures of the constitutional government in the United States, and the American political system to analyze interrelationships among civics, government and politics in the past and the present, in Maine, the United States and the world.

ECONOMICS Understand and apply the concepts and processes from economics to understand decision-making, personal finance and issues of production, distribution and consumption in the community, Maine, the United States and the world.

GEOGRAPHY Analyze the physical, human and environmental geography of Maine, the United States and various regions of the world to evaluate the interdependent relationships and challenges facing human systems in the past, present and future.

HISTORY Apply and demonstrate knowledge of major eras, enduring themes, turning points and historic influences to analyze the forces of continuity and change in the community, the state, the United States and the world.

The student will present, and defend positions on current social studies issues 

The student will develop and modify research questions, and locate, select, evaluate, and synthesize information from multiple and varied sources.

 The student will make individual decisions on matters related to social studies using relevant information and research, discussion, and ethical reasoning skills.

The student will make collaborative decisions on matters related to social studies using relevant information and research, discussion, and ethical reasoning skills.

The student will understand the constitutional and legal rights in a constitutional democracy i.e. the United States political system

The student will understand the civic duties, and responsibilities, and roles of citizens in a constitutional democracy. i.e. the United States political system.

Evaluate how people influence government and work for the common good including voting, writing to legislators, performing community service, and engaging in civil disobedience.

The student will understand the role of (effect on) citizens living under other forms of government in the world.

The student will analyze various theories of government.

The student will analyze changes in Americans’ participation over time.

The student will analyze alternative models of government from other countries, past and present.

The student will describe the historic and philosophical foundations of the United States republican system of government.

 The student will analyze the fundamental principles of the American system of government.

The student will examine the United States Constitution by comparing the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

The student will analyze how the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government have shaped American society.

The student will evaluate public policies in terms of intended and unintended outcomes, and related consequences.

Analyze why nations adopt economic systems and the consequences for different groups of people. 

Describe the consequences of competition in specific markets.

 Describe the ways in which incentives influence what is produced and distributed in a market system.

Evaluate the effectiveness of government policies to improve market outcomes.

Evaluate possible explanations for a government role in markets when market inefficiencies exist

Analyze the role of comparative advantage in international trade

Analyze how current globalization trends and policies affect economic growth, labor markets, rights of citizens, the environment, and resource and income distribution in different nations.

Use economic indicators and data to explain the influence of changes in spending and production

Analyze the current and future state of the economy and the selection of fiscal policies.

Analyze the current and future state of the economy and the selection of monetary policies.

Analyze the role of financial institutions and stock markets/investing in the economy

Analyze personal finance situations and make decisions regarding investing, saving and spending. 

Explain that geography includes the study of physical, environmental, and cultural features in order to help people better predict and evaluate consequences of geographic influences.

Describe a major region of the Earth and their major physical, environmental, and cultural features using a variety of geographic tools.

Analyze geographic data on physical, environmental, and cultural processes that shape and change places and regions.

Evaluate the impact of change, including technological change, on the physical and cultural environment.

Analyze and summarize the impact of the elements of culture on the world, specifically including the five major religions, political and economic systems.

Analyze migration, settlement patterns, and cultural diffusion caused by the competition for resources.

The student will evaluate how historical events and developments were shaped by unique circumstances as well as broader historical contexts.

Analyze and critique major historical eras, major enduring themes, turning points, events, consequences, and people in the history of the United States and world and the implications for the present and future. 

Analyze and critique varying interpretations of historic people, issues, or events, and explain how evidence is used to support different interpretations.

Analyze change and continuity in historical eras and the complex and interacting factors that influenced the perspectives of people during those historical eras. 

Analyze multiple and complex causes and effects of events in the past.

Identify, critique and analyze issues characterized by unity and diversity with minority groups in the history of the United States.