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Social Studies Standards of Learning
The 32 standards outlined in this document represent the six disciplines of Geography, Sociology, History, Anthropology, Political Science and Economics which are an integral part of the Social Sciences. In an attempt to provide students with a broad conceptual framework of local, regional and pertinent historical information, the standards are reflective of the CSEC objectives and the Ministry of Education Lower Secondary Standards. The “essential characteristics of powerful social studies” as portrayed by the National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) five principles which proposed that civic education should focus on the development of intellectual skills required for fully functionally individuals are also embedded in these standards. The UNESCO document, “Education for all in the Caribbean: Assessment 2000 Monographic series,” were also consulted. Note, the Social Studies Standards in this subsection are represented by the letters SS.
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Area 1: Geography
SS: 1 Use maps, globes, photographs, and pictures to obtain geographical information and apply the concepts of location, scale, and orientation
SS: 2 Analyze and explain how different cultures develop different perspectives on the world
SS: 3 Analyze how selected physical and ecological processes shape the Earth’s surface by identifying regional climatic patterns and weather phenomena and their effects on people and places
SS: 4 Describe how humans influence the environment and are influenced by it, explaining
how technology affects one’s ability to modify the environment and adapt to it
SS: 5 Interpret and apply the concept of a region by explaining how regional landscapes reflect cultural characteristics of their inhabitants
SS: 6 Describe and analyze how cultural characteristics, including the world’s major languages and religions, link or divide regions
SS: 7 Locate and analyze physical, economic, and cultural characteristics of world regions
SS: 8 Apply geographic skills to examine changed relationships between humans and their environment
SS: 9 Recognize different map projections and explain the concept of distortion
Knowledge
1. Evaluate the authenticity, authority and credibility of sources
2. Develop perspectives of time and place, including the construction of maps and various time lines of events, periods, and personalities in history
3. Interpret the significance of excerpts from famous speeches and other documents
Skills
1. Historical and geographical analysis, including the ability to identify, analyze, and interpret primary and secondary source documents
2. Formulate historical questions and defend findings based on inquiry and interpretation
3. Communicate findings orally and in analytical essays and/or comprehensive papers
4. Demonstrate skills in discussion, debate, and persuasive writing on various historical matters
Attitudes and Disposition
1. Value information from authentic sources and apply with authentic settings
2. Identify the importance of various periods in history and its impact on humankind
Area 2: History
SS: 10 Interpret and identify primary and secondary resources to make generalizations about current and past events
SS: 11 Demonstrate knowledge of early development of humankind
SS: 12 Demonstrate knowledge of ancient civilizations and locate these civilizations in time and place
SS: 13 Identify the social structure and role of slavery, explaining the significance of citizenship and the development of democracy
SS: 14 Explain the significance of citizenship and the development of democratic features of government
SS: 15 Identify technological advances and networks of economic interdependence and cultural interactions
SS: 16 Identify and describe geographic relationships with emphasis on patterns of development in terms of climate and physical features
SS: 17 Demonstrate knowledge of social, economic, and political changes and cultural achievements
Knowledge
1. Identify and compare political boundaries
2. Analyze trends in human migration and cultural interaction
3. Describe the development of social, political, and economic patterns of slavery
Skills
1. Use maps, globes, artifacts, and pictures to analyze the physical and cultural landscapes]
2. Identifying major geographic locations
Attitude and Dispositions
1. Demonstrate appreciation for different landscapes and the importance of social interactions
Area 3: Civics and Economics
SS: 18 Develop social studies skills of citizenship
SS: 19 Examine and interpret primary and secondary source documents including maps, diagrams, tables, charts and graphs
SS: 20 Understand and explain Belize’s constitution and system of government
SS: 21 Describe the purposes of the Constitution of countries such as Belize and the United States
SS: 22 Understand and describe the duties and responsibilities of citizenship such as obeying the law, registering to vote, and paying taxes
SS: 23 Describe and assess civic and social duties in Belize, the region, and the United States
SS: 24 Understand and describe effective participation such as trustworthiness and honesty, practicing courtesy and respect for others
SS: 25 Demonstrate knowledge of the political process at local, state, and national levels of Government
SS: 26 Understand and demonstrate knowledge of the American constitutional government by explaining the relationship of state governments to the national government in the federal system
SS: 27 Understand and describe the procedures for amending the Constitution of the United States
SS: 28 Understand and demonstrate knowledge of how public policy is made at local, state, and national levels of public policy
SS: 29 Demonstrate knowledge of the judicial systems established by the Constitution of Belize and the Constitution of the United States
SS: 30 Demonstrate knowledge of the role of government in Belize and in the United States economy
SS: 31 Understand and describe various career opportunities by identifying attitudes and behaviors that strengthen the individual work ethic and promote career success
SS: 32 Examine the impact of technological change on career opportunities
Knowledge
1. Analyze and distinguish among various types of media such as pictures, artifacts and political cartoons
2. Examine the accuracy of information from various sources
3. Explain and compare rule of law, democracy and types of government
4. Analyze and describe the functions of political parties
5. Describe voter registration and participation
6. Describe the structure and powers of local, state, and national governments
7. Describe and explain the principle of separation of powers and the operation of checks and balances
8. Compare the differences among free market, command, and mixed economies
9. Explain how due process protections seek to ensure justice
10. Identify how economic decisions are made in the marketplace
11. Describe the types of business organizations and the role of entrepreneurship
12. Describe the protection of consumer rights and property rights
Skills
1. Apply the concepts of scarcity, resources, choice, opportunity cost, price, incentives, and supply and demand
Attitudes and Disposition
1. Select and defend position
2. Practice courtesy and respect for the rights of others
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