Social Studies Update
Stefanie Wager
Social Studies Consultant
stefanie.wager@iowa.gov
Social Studies Is…
(Current reality)
Social Studies Should
Be….
(Desired Reality)
A Vision for Social Studies in Iowa
• Moving away from “dates and dead people.”
• Best Practices in Standards/Curriculum
– Focus on ELA Literacy in History/Social Studies
Standards.
– Focus on the Iowa Core in Social Studies.
• Best Practices in Instruction
– Promoting 21st century technologies to support the
teaching of social studies.
– Promoting instructional “best practices.”
• Best Practices in Assessments
– Focus on formative assessment, writing historically
and performance assessments.
The C3 Framework for Social
Studies State Standards
Historical Background
• Work on the C3 Framework began in 2010.
• Created through CCSSO’s Social Studies Assessment,
Curriculum, and Instruction (SSACI) Collaborative
• Who was involved:
– State department social studies consultants
– Over 15 professional social studies organizations
– Higher education
– Classroom teachers
• Aligned to ELA Standards
• Published by the National Council for the Social
Studies
Purpose of the C3 Framework
• “The primary purpose of the C3
Framework for Social Studies State
Standards is to provide guidance to
states and districts on the concepts, skills
and disciplinary tools necessary to prepare
students for college, career, and civic life.
In doing so, the C3 Framework offers
guidance and support for rigorous student
learning.”
Elements of the Framework
• Conceptual vs. curricular focused
• Inquiry Arc (pg. 17-64)
– Four Dimensions (The MEAT of the document)
• ELA Alignment (Emphasis on R1, W7, SL1)
• Indicators and K-12 Pathways
– Each category contains a set of “end of grade 12”
indicators and a suggested pathway for how students
might develop proficiency towards that indicator.
• Grade banded
– K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12
• Appendices that include behavior sciences
C3 Framework Organization
Dimension 1:
Developing
Questions and
Planning
Inquiries
Developing
Questions and
Planning
Inquiries
Dimension 2:
Applying
Disciplinary
Concepts and
Tools
Dimension 3:
Evaluating
Sources and
Using
Evidence
Dimension 4:
Communicatin
g Conclusions
and Taking
Informed
Action
Civics
Gathering and
Evaluating
Sources
Communicating
and Critiquing
Conclusions
Economics
Developing
Claims and
Using Evidence
Taking
Informed Action
Geography
History
Digging In
• Go to www.socialstudies.org/c3 to
view document.
Digging In
• Break into groups:
– Group 1: The Inquiry Arc (pg. 17-21)
– Group 2: Dimension 1 (pg. 23)
– Group 3: Dimension 2- Civics (pg. 29)
– Group 4: Dimension 2- Economics (pg. 35)
– Group 5: Dimension 2- Geography (pg. 40)
– Group 6: Dimension 2- History (pg. 45)
– Group 7: Dimension 3 (pg. 53)
– Group 8: Dimension 4 (pg. 59)
Possible Next Steps
- The Statewide Social Studies Leadership Team is
reviewing the C3 Framework.
- A “task force” could be formed to revise the Iowa
Core in Social Studies.
- If standards are written, we will proceed with
asking for State Board approval.
- Roll out and implementation of the “new” Iowa
Core in Social Studies.
Social Studies Leadership Team
• Meet four times throughout the year
• Includes AEA social studies contacts, teachers,
higher ed, social studies curriculum specialists
• Task Teams
– Agora
– Model Curriculum Framework
– C3 Framework
– Professional Development
Professional Development
• Best Practices Institute
– June 24-25, 2014 in Des Moines
– FREE for any K12 social studies teacher
• Cadre of Trainers
Agora
• http://agora.aeapdonline.org
– click on social studies
• Elements
– Includes links, calendar, lesson exchange, etc.
Other News
• Social Studies Update Newsletter
–Email me
(stefanie.wager@iowa.gov) to be
added to the List-serv
• Medal of Honor Foundation Workshop
–June 26, 2014 in Johnston
Questions?