West Irondequoit Central School District

Social Studies Curriculum Philosophy

"Our social studies program has the responsibility to help students understand their roots, see their connections to the past, comprehend their context, recognize the commonality of people across time, appreciate the delicate balance of rights and responsibilities in an open society and develop the habits of thoughtful analysis and reflective thinking."
(Social Studies Resource Guide, NYS).

The West Irondequoit Central School District Social Studies program prepares all students with the essential knowledge, skills, civic values and global perspectives needed to participate as thoughtful, productive citizens in a democratic society as well as a rapidly changing, multicultural and interdependent world.

The social studies curriculum is organized according the learning standards in economics, geography, government, history, culture and citizenship.

To achieve the above, the Social Studies program:

• Integrates history, geography, economics, political science, social sciences, contemporary issues, as well as other curricular areas

• Develops the skills necessary to effectively gather, process, apply and communicate information including the use of technology

• Develops connections between the content, concepts and skills of social studies and the world of work and career opportunities

• Fosters respect for self and others and promotes social responsibility

• Provides a challenging student-centered environment with high levels of engagement, intellectual curiosity and risk taking

• Includes cooperative as well as independent learning experiences

• Utilizes a broad repertoire of instructional strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners

• Involves the community as an extension of the school learning environment

• Relies on a balanced assessment approach which allows students to demonstrate progress toward identified learner outcomes

• Instills a passion and a pride in life long learning

Joyce Nagle     585-336-3080     Send Mail
Social Studies Curriculum Supervisor 7-12

Debra Lindsey     585-336-0807     Send Mail
Social Studies Curriculum Supervisor k-6

Social Studies Guiding Principles