Newport News Public Schools    
  12465 Warwick Boulevard • Newport News, Virginia 23606 • (757)591-4500

  

  

Search NNPS SEARCH OUR SITE

SECONDARY SOCIAL STUDIES (6-12) DEPARTMENT

Secondary Social Studies News

  • The C-SPAN Bus is coming to Menchville High School on September 24th!  The tentative plans for the event include a one hour debate, a mock election, and tours of the C-SPAN Campaign 2008 Bus.

Program Description

The secondary social studies course of study in Newport News public schools is designed to develop the knowledge and skills of history, geography, civics, and economics that will enable students to put into perspective people, places, ideas, and events that have shaped our state, our nation, and our world. 

In grades six through twelve, students will develop an understanding of the past, present, and future of our society and the society of others through the study of history.  As they study geography, they will develop an understanding of spatial relationships by looking at human and physical characteristics of places, how different groups interact with their environment, and how our communities and nations are affected by conditions and events in other places.  Studying civics will help them understand politics and government in order to be informed citizens and to participate in the public life of our community, state, and nation.  Studying economics will help them understand the function of the economy in our society and the world; their role as an employer, worker, producer, or consumer; and their role in the global marketplace. 

In addition, the courses in the social studies program are designed to develop the following skills and proficiencies:

  • Recognizing and understanding cause and effect
  • Analyzing the relationship between the past and the present
  • Understanding and analyzing change over time
  • Problem solving and decision-making
  • Studying and comparing people, places, ideas, events
  • Recognizing and analyzing multiple perspectives
  • Making inferences and generalizations and drawing conclusions
  • Gathering, classifying, sequencing & interpreting information and visual data
  • Recognizing and interpreting spatial relationships.

Social Studies Enduring Understandings and Essential Questions

Secondary Social Studies Course of Study

Students take a sequence of social studies courses in grades 6 though 12. Three high school social studies courses (including US History and Government) are required for graduation. However, students must take and receive credit for four high school social studies courses (including US History and Government) in order to earn an advanced studies diploma.

High School social studies courses required for graduation are offered at average, honors, and advanced (AP, IB) levels.

In addition to required courses, high school students may choose from the following courses: AP Comparative Government, Sociology , Introductory Psychology, AP Psychology, American Foreign Policy, International Relations, A Multicultural World, Practical Law.

Secondary Social Studies Course Descriptions

Foundations of Freedom

A federally funded program designed to raise student achievement by improving secondary school teachers' knowledge, understanding, appreciation, and teaching of American History. More information ...

 


The Newport News School Division does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, creed, marital status, age or disability in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Section 504, and ADA regulations. Regina Harris, HR Compliance Supervisor, Human Resources, Newport News Public Schools, at 12507 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23606, (757-881-5061), is responsible for coordinating the division's efforts to meet its obligations under Section 504, Title IX, the ADA, and their implementing regulations.

   NNPS Curriculum & Instructional Services

SECONDARY SOCIAL STUDIES

Renita Williams, 591-4571
Instructional Supervisor

Susie Campbell, 591-4586
Secretary

Sybil Young, 591-4902
Foundations of Freedom
Grant Coordinator

VDOE Links

Standards of Learning For K-12 History and Social Sciences (PDF Format)
Standards of Learning Test Blueprints
 

Social Studies Resource Links

BJ Pinchbeck's Social Studies Homework Helper Links
Information Please Almanac
Parents: Social Studies
Homeworkspot: Middle School Social Studies
Homeworkspot: High School Social Studies
 

Navigation

News
Program Description
Enduring Understandings and Essential Questions
Course of Study
Course Sequence
Middle School Course Descriptions
High School Course Descriptions
Social Studies Textbooks
Foundations of Freedom