Six
characteristics of contemporary Social Studies
1. Social Studies is social.
2. Social Studies is
real world/ wide world.
3. Social Studies is
issue-based.
4. Social Studies is
open-ended.
5. Social Studies is
data-gathering
6. Social Studies is
active.
These terms are to be discussed and applied
throughout curriculum development
See also Expectations for Excellence: Social Studies curriculum
must be Meaningful,
Integrated, Value-based, Challenging, and Active.
(final essay in the NCSS standards document)