Social Studies
Social studies education:
1. Derives its goals from the nature of citizenship in a democratic society;
2. Draws its content from history, the social sciences, humanities, and science; and
3. Facilitates the development of skills and dispositions for effective participation in personal and civic affairs. The basic program is one year of study every year in grades 7-12. One credit is earned for each grade level.
The central mission for social studies is education for participatory citizenship. This citizenship is that which reaches beyond the boundaries of the United States to include the global community. The program goal is to empower learners to be informed and reflective thinkers, responsible citizens, productive members of society, and caring individuals by enabling learners to develop the following characteristics:
1. Civic responsibility and the skills of a participatory citizenry.
2. Perspectives on their own life experiences so that they see themselves as makers and shapers of the larger human adventure in time and place.
3. A critical understanding of the history, geography, economic, political, and social institutions,
traditions, and values of the United States as expressed in their unity, diversity, and interdependence.
4. An understanding of global diversity, interdependence of the world's peoples, institutions, traditions, values, and environment.
5. Critical dispositions and habits of mind appropriate to the world of work and lifelong learning.
OBJECTIVES for both 7th grade Social Studies Courses
1. Identify geographic features of the Pacific area & explain effects on life-styles that developed island communities.
2. Identify and describe the development of Hawaiʻi and other Pacific Islands' social, political, and economic institutions which evolved in the post contact period until the overthrow of the monarchy and establishment of a Republic in Hawaiʻi.
3. Identify, describe, and explain the diversity and commonalities of cultures and communities of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Islands, past and present.
4. Understand the concepts of change and exchange of ideas and goods as they relate to Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Islands.
5. Examine the role of Pacific Island leaders and Hawaiʻi's monarchs in shaping and changing their government and society.
6. Identify and define the distinctive features that characterize Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Islands today, (social, political, economic, religious), as seen through influences from the past.
ASSIGNMENT Expectations for both 7th grade Social Studies Courses
In-class readings, discussions, activities, and cooperative teamwork.
Out-of-class reading and research.
Written and oral reports.
Individual and group projects.
Stay informed with current events.
EVALUATION Criteria for both 7th grade Social Studies Courses
Tests and quizzes.
Written assignments.
Oral and written reports.
Project-based learning.
In-class participation.
7th grade Social Studies Courses
(YEAR LONG) CHR0710
The first semester engages students in historical thinking about contemporary issues (sociopolitical, geographic, cultural, historical, and economic) faced by Hawaiʻi and the nations and territories of the Pacific. This part examines the diversity and commonalities of the Pacific area, the impact of contact with other nations and the issues, challenges, and decisions for the present and future. This semester examines issues through the perspectives of geography, cultural anthropology, economics, and politics. Students are actively engaged in decision-making and problem posing and solving.
The second semester engages students in deep historical thinking about the evolution (change, continuity, and causality) of the historic, economic, political, and social/cultural institutions of Hawaiʻi rather than a chronological overview. This synoptic (comprehensive) section, focusing on the monarchy era, critically examines the people and events of that era through multiple perspectives and historical empathy. This part focuses on integrating essential concepts in history, geography, civics and politics, economics, and cultural anthropology to address all Social Studies Content Standards.
(YEAR LONG) CHR0710HNR
This course is open to 7th grade students who are accepted into the Honors program at Kailua Intermediate School. It is an accelerated course on Pacific Islands and Hawaiian Studies designed to help students’ master the Hawaiʻi Content and Performance Standards. Students in the Honors program are actively engaged in historical thinking and the acquisition of historical knowledge. Using the tools and the methodologies of social scientists, students analyze the causes and effects of events in the Pacific Islands and in Hawaiian history, use geographic representations to organize information, and develop a sense of historical empathy. It focuses on the unification of the Hawaiian Kingdom, contact with Westerners, the geography of the Pacific, patterns of migration and settlement and Western imperialization and colonization.
The first semester course engages students in historical thinking about contemporary issues (sociopolitical, geographic, cultural, historical, and economic) faced by Hawaiʻi and the nations and territories of the Pacific. This course examines the diversity and commonalities of the Pacific area, the impact of contact with other nations and the issues, challenges, and decisions for the present and future. This course examines issues through the perspectives of geography, cultural anthropology, economics, and politics. Students are actively engaged in decision-making and problem posing and solving. This course provides more opportunities and time to address the Social Studies Content Standards.
The second semester course engages students in deep historical thinking about the evolution (change, continuity, and causality) of the historic, economic, political, and social/cultural institutions of Hawaiʻi rather than a chronological overview. This synoptic (comprehensive) course, focusing on the monarchy era, critically examines the people and events of that era through multiple perspectives and historical empathy. This course focuses on integrating essential concepts in history, geography, civics and politics, economics, and cultural anthropology to address all Social Studies Content Standards.
PREREQUISITE: Student selection and placement approval into the Honors program.
OBJECTIVES for both 8th grade Social Studies Courses
1. Define the concept of rights and freedoms of individuals in American society in terms of constitutional rights and liberties.
2. Describe the historical background that shaped the development of the American form of government and society.
3. Define the purposes of government in terms of individual and group roles, responsibilities, expectations, and benefits.
4. Identify the major social problems confronting American society as it is developed today, as well as describe and explain some probable causes and the effect on the nation and its people.
5. Identify significant personal responsibilities to self and others. Develop decision making, problem solving and cooperative skills.
6. Identify key persons, places and events, in the development of our nation and describe the significance of each.
ASSIGNMENT Expectations for both 8th grade Social Studies Courses
In-class readings, discussions, and activities.
Out of class readings and interviews.
Written and oral reports.
Individual and group projects.
Keep up with current events.
Cooperative teamwork.
EVALUATION Criteria for both 8th grade Social Studies Courses
Tests and quizzes.
Written assignments.
Oral and written reports.
In-class participation.
8th grade Social Studies Courses
(YEAR LONG) CHU0800
This course engages students in in-depth historical inquiry focusing on the people, ideas, and events of the 18th and 19th century that have shaped and continue to shape our nation. It allows students to examine our history through multiple perspectives and to develop empathy, interpretations, and self-knowledge for a deep understanding of American society. It develops an historic perspective for understanding change, causality, and continuity from first settlement to contemporary issues. This course examines in depth the philosophical and historical foundations of America through themes such as immigration, settlement, and conflict, and democratic principles such as justice, equality, and independence. Democracy, citizenship, and active participation in civic action are concepts and ideas that are fully developed. Contemporary events are examined in light of past issues, decisions, and controversies. History, Political Science/Civics, and Economic standards are emphasized.
(YEAR LONG) CHU0800HNR
This course is open to 8th grade students who are accepted into the Honors program at Kailua Intermediate School. It is an accelerated course on United States History through Reconstruction designed to help students master the Hawaiʻi Content and Performance Standards. Students in the Honors program are actively engaged in historical thinking and the acquisition of historical knowledge. Using the tools and the methodologies of social scientists, students analyze the causes and effects of events in American history, use geographic representations to organize information, and develop a sense of historical empathy. It focuses on the Constitution, Westward Expansion, Sectionalism, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. This course also engages students in in-depth historical inquiry focusing on the people, ideas, and events that have shaped and continue to shape our nation. It allows students to examine our history through multiple perspectives and to develop empathy, interpretations, and self-knowledge for a deep understanding of American society. It develops an historic perspective for understanding change, causality, and continuity from first settlement to contemporary issues. This course examines in depth the philosophical and historical foundations of America through themes such as immigration, settlement, and conflict, and democratic principles such as justice, equality, and independence. Democracy, citizenship, and active participation in civic action are concepts and ideas that are fully developed. Contemporary events are examined in light of past issues, decisions, and controversies. History, Political Science/Civics, and Economic standards are emphasized.
PREREQUISITE: Student selection and placement approval into the Honors program.