GPISD Social Studies Who are we? We are a learning community vigorously pursuing student success. District Demographics The Grand Prairie Independent School District boasts 39 campuses, including 25 elementary schools, seven middle schools, two ninth-grade centers, three high schools and two alternative education schools. The District has a diverse student population 63.1 % Hispanic students 17.6 % African American students 15.1 % White students 3.7 % Asian students 0.5 % American Indian students Teaching & Learning Expertise & Experience Our team is highly qualified to lead the District’s educational program, with an average of over 18 years of experience in education. Nearly 80% of our team hold post graduate degrees with a variety of specializations. We are equipped to make a difference! Chief Teaching & Learning Officer Linda Ellis Executive Director of Post Secondary Readiness Jeffrey Miller Director of Curriculum and Instruction Angela Herron Core Content Facilitators Secondary English Language Arts: Kasie Roden Elementary English Language Arts: Mary Jane Bowman Secondary Mathematics: Elementary Mathematics: Eileen Littel Science: Michael Brinkman Social Studies: Lanette Aguero Teaching & Learning 2602 South Beltline Road Grand Prairie, TX 75052 (972) 237-4041 (972) 237-5365 fax www.gpisd.org GPISD Teaching & Learning Core Content GPISD Social Studies GPISD Teaching and Learning Our Mission The Teaching & Learning Department oversees the district’s comprehensive TEKS Resource System curriculum implementation and provides classroom instructional support for grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12. We provide instructional leadership and professional development opportunities to support learner-centered instruction. It is the responsibility of the department to plan, monitor, and evaluate instructional programs to ensure the success of all students. GPISD IS A TEKS RESOURCE SYSTEM DISTRICT TEKS Resource System is a comprehensive, customizable, user-friendly curriculum management system built on the most current research-based practices in the field. Its primary focus is to impact instructional practices in the classroom to improve student performance. This multi-faceted system includes three key components that operate seamlessly: Professional Development Curriculum & Assessment Innovative Technology For more information about our TEKS Resource System curriculum go to: http://www.teksresourcesystem.net/module/pro file/Account/LogOn OUR COURSE OFFERINGS In addition to regular level state required social studies courses, we offer the following either to promote college readiness or earn actual college hours while still in high school (check for campus availability): Geography: Pre-AP Geography AP Human Geography World History: Pre-AP World History AP World History AP European History Economics: AP Macroeconomics AP Microeconomics Dual Credit Economics Psychology: AP Psychology U.S. History: Pre-AP U.S. History AP U.S. History Dual Credit U.S. History Government: AP U.S. Government AP Comparative Government & Politics Dual Credit Government Special Topics: Research Case Studies SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS/PROGRAMS/RESOURCES 2010-11 Gold Performance Acknowledgement – Commended on Social Studies School and District Geography Challenges – grades 4-8 District Essay Contests for History Months, with winners reading at a GPISD district events Campuses may participate in History Fair competition All students have school and home access to Maps 101, Culturegrams, NBC Learn, Gale Databases, and others Geographic Information Systems (GIS) access Marketplace GP – all 6th grade students participate in economics curriculum and a simulation culminating in “running a city for a day” at Marketplace GP Teaching & Learning located at DCHS