Skip Navigation
Michigan Department of EducationMichigan.gov, Official Website for the State of Michigan
Michigan.gov Home MDE Home |  Site Map |  Top Topics |  Contact MDE
close print view
MDEwelcome_dw.gif
Social studies is the integrated study of the social sciences to prepare young people to become responsible citizens.

The purpose of social studies is to develop social understanding and civic efficacy (the readiness and willingness to assume citizenship responsibilities and to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a democratic society.)

The social studies curriculum builds four capacities in young people: disciplinary knowledge, thinking skills, commitment to democratic values, and citizen participation.

Contact Information: Jim Cameron, Social Studies Consultant cameronj3@michigan.gov

What's New?

• 2013 U.S. Senate Youth Program Brochure PDF icon


Standards

• K-8 Social Studies Standards PDF icon

• High School Social Studies Standards PDF icon


Curriculum and Instruction

• More on Capstone Projects PDF icon

• Social Studies Clarification - April 1, 2008 PDF icon

• Toolkit Resources for Social Studies K-8 GLCE and HSCE

• Grade-Specific Resources for Social Studies K-8 GLCE and HSCE

• Social Studies K-4 Overview DOC icon

• Michigan's Content Expectations for K-12 Social Studies Support Materials


Assessment

• Social Studies Alignment Project Clarification and Update


Instructional Site Links

• Michigan History Themes Project The Center for Michigan History Studies. The mission of Michigan EPIC is to develop and provide concise technology-based products and services which support the Michigan Curriculum Framework.


Lesson Plans and Materials

• LandmarkCases.org This site provides a full range of resources and activities to support the teaching of landmark Supreme Court cases. The "Resources" section features basic building blocks such as background summaries and excerpts of opinions that can be used in multiple ways. The "Activities" section contains a range of short activities and in-depth lessons that can be completed with students. While these activities are online, many of them can be adapted for use in a one-computer classroom or a classroom with no computer.

• Lessons Using the Core Democratic Values PDF icon Three sets of definitions using language your students can understand.

• Financial Literacy Resource Guide for Kindergarten to Grade 12 PDF icon Incorporate financial education throughout the curriculum for grades K to 12 and be based on the concept of achieving financial literacy through the teaching of personal financial management skills and the basic principles involved with earning, spending, saving, borrowing and investing.

• Social Studies Concepts PDF icon

• Social Studies Vocabulary PDF icon

• Trade Books of Children?s Literature for Social Studies PDF icon The ABC’SA Bibliography of Children’s Books with Social Studies


Resources and Related Information

• Parents Helping Students Learn Social Studies PDF icon A listing of many ideas that you can choose that interest you or are easy to incorporate into your family routine. We have marked ideas that are particularly appropriate for early grade children with the symbol *.




MDE Quick Links
 •  Contact MDE
 •  Michigan Online Resources for Educators
 •  Michigan eLibrary (MeL)
 •  ISD Financial Reports
 •  Directory of Schools
 •  Notices & Public Comments
QR code


Michigan.gov Home |  MDE Home |  Site Map |  State Web Sites |  Office of Regulatory Reinvention |  Compliance |  Spending & Accountability
Privacy Policy |  Link Policy |  Accessibility Policy |  Security Policy | Michigan NewsMichigan.gov Survey

Copyright © 2001-2013 State of Michigan