Curriculum Up Close: Your Hall Pass Into Social Studies
Grab your hall pass! Join us as we step inside various classrooms throughout FHSD to take a look at what students are learning. Teachers and administrators work tirelessly to develop curriculum and lesson plans that engage and empower students to excel, making lasting impacts to prepare them for life.
The learning that happens in the classroom is guided by each subject’s course of study. These documents outline the curriculum and goals for students so that they acquire essential knowledge and proficiency. In addition to the courses of study, lessons are aligned to develop skills as described in FHSD’s Portrait of a Learner.
The Curriculum Up Close series spotlights one core subject each month to showcase the lessons, activities and content students are working on. January highlights Social Studies classes across the elementary and secondary schools. Continue reading to step inside social studies classes that took place during the month of January!
Mrs. Olix - First Grade at Ayer Elementary
First graders in Mrs. Olix’s class at Ayer Elementary journeyed through time, breaking down the difference between past, present and future. Gathering the class together, Mrs. Olix explained the differences and showed a supplemental video. Students had the opportunity to share their ideas and give examples of things that happened to them in the past, what is happening to them in the present and what will happen in the future. These Falcons also considered their futures as Nighthawks and Raptors in the years to come.
After class-wide collaboration, students worked independently to create a personal timeline, helping them connect the learning concept to their own lives. Everyday classroom moments like this one are bringing our social studies curriculum to life and helping shape critical thinkers and engaged collaborators.
Mrs. Toms - Fifth Grade at Sherwood Elementary
Sherwood Elementary fifth graders took a deep dive into geography through movies. Mrs. Toms guided her students through a project in which she tasked them to select a movie they enjoy that takes place anywhere in the world. She asked them to create a presentation slide show that identifies the movie and where it takes place. Then, they researched different aspects of the movie’s real-world setting, including its region and human/environment interactions.
Students worked independently, applying their critical thinking and research skills to explore geographic concepts. Mrs. Toms also answered questions and guided fifth graders through the research process.
These fifth graders are becoming adaptable learners and critical thinkers, using their movie interests to spark and guide their learning experience.
Mr. Suder - Modern World History at Turpin High School
Turpin students in Mr. Suder’s Modern World History class delved into the 19th century scramble for Africa. To open up the lesson, they rolled dice that would assign them regions of the continent to research. They explored their regions’ natural resources and the European motivations for colonization. After the activity, students joined Mr. Suder for a class discussion and lecture about this time period.
Through conversation and an engaging activity, students explored this era of history as part of the social studies curriculum to become critical thinkers and adaptable learners.
Mr. Bridges - CCP World History at Turpin High School
History came alive in Mr. Bridges’ CCP World History classroom at Turpin with a lively debate. Students tackled a thought-provoking question: Which revolution from their recent studies resulted in more liberty? After analyzing primary source documents from the French, Haitian, American and Latin American revolutions, students collaborated with their peers to craft compelling arguments and then brought the conversation to a lively, class-wide debate.
By comparing perspectives and defending their reasoning, these adaptable learners sharpened their critical thinking and creative problem-solving skils–all key characteristics of FHSD’s Portrait of a Learner.
FHSD’s growing CCP program allows secondary school students to take courses for both high school and college credit, promoting rigorous academic pursuits and providing students with a wider variety of opportunities.
Learn More about FHSD’s Social Studies Curriculum
The social studies curriculum in FHSD empowers students to become engaged global citizens. Through meaningful lessons, conversations and interactive activities, students develop key skills that will enable them to excel as lifelong learners.
Find more information about FHSD’s curriculum in these district resources:
