Social Studies
COURSE LIST
Geography
US History
World History
Virginia & U.S. Government
* 4 years are required for graduation.
Grade 9
Geography
In an increasingly interconnected world, equipping students to develop a better understanding of our global neighbors is critical to ensuring that they are college and career ready. These semester-long courses empower students to increase their knowledge of the world in which they live and how its diverse geographies shape the international community. Semester A units begin with an overview of the physical world and the tools necessary to explore it effectively. Subsequent units survey each continent and its physical characteristics and engage students and encourage them to develop a global perspective.
Grade 10
US History
US History is a two-semester course aligned with the principles of the C3 Framework. The course promotes the examination, analysis, and evaluation of important people and events in the history of the United States of America. The course also uses investigative questions to guide the examination and analysis of events. The content of the course is designed to promote an understanding of the impacts historical events had on the numerous groups of diverse people who make up the United States.
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Clarifying Big Ideas (CBI) Lessons appear throughout the course to model critical thinking skills and strategies. These skills and strategies are woven throughout the lessons to allow students to practice using the skills in context. Activities further promote critical thinking about historical figures and encourage learners to analyze factors that impacted the decisions these figures made to shape the growth and development of the United States. The activities have learners analyze and evaluate primary and secondary sources, and have them form opinions while using evidence to support their opinions.
Grade 11
US History
In World History, learners will explore historical world events with the help of innovative videos, timelines, and interactive maps and images. Learners will develop historical thinking skills and apply them to their study of European exploration, the Renaissance the Reformation, and major world revolutions. They will also study World War I, World War II, the Cold War, and the benefits and challenges of living in the modern world.
Grade 12
Virginia & U.S. Government
The interactive, problem-centered, and inquiry-based units in Virginia and U.S. Government emphasize the acquisition, mastery, and processing of information. Units include the study of the foundations of American government and the American political culture, with units 2 and 3 covering the U.S. constitution, including its roots in Greek and English law, and the various institutions that impact American politics.