SOCIAL STUDIES ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS

GRADES 7-8

·     Cultural Diversity - is learned by coming in contact with the elements of history - the people, ideals, artifacts, and dilemmas of the past that need to be brought forward as  a part of our present and past.

(can be found in these benchmarks) 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6

·        Economy/Local vs. Global - we must have a global perspective that enables students to see  themselves, their communities, and their nation as players in the economic, political,  ecological, cultural and technological systems extending throughout the globe.

 (can be found in these benchmarks) 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6

·        Individual as part of Society/Nature of Government - citizens must have the ability to make personal and social decisions and judge the decisions of others.  Citizenship education should foster an ongoing engagement with issues that involve the community at all levels of government.

 (can be found in these benchmarks) 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4

·        Forces of Change - constantly challenge strengths of tradition.  Change, which is continuous and accelerating and tradition, which provides life with meaning, constantly influence our lives.

      (can be found in these benchmarks) 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7

·        Geography - the five principal themes of geography provide a context for better understanding patterns of culture and behavior.