A Social Studies Instructional Framework: Elements of Successful Social Studies Units

For the past ten years, I have been developing district micro-curriculum--course-specific unit plans and model lessons. This summer I am tackling a project that will yield a broader view of secondary social studies.  The Social Studies Instructional Framework will be a macro-curriculum outlining the elements of successful social studies units, applicable to all courses and grade levels, 6-12. 

This macro-curriculum will extrapolate the underpinning pedagogy from the course-specific lessons and synthesize the parallel work I have been generating for professional development workshops.  Through a combination of narrative, samples, and blank organizers, the Social Studies Instructional Framework will help guide teachers in the preparation of units and lessons (or the adaptation of existing ones).   The end product will essentially be a condensed version of a social studies methods textbook. 

As I work through the Social Studies Instructional Framework this summer, I will post drafts on this blog to invite feedback from teachers and scholars. Today, I have included the draft outline of the chapters and sections.  Your comments are welcome.  What would you include, or not include? 

Elements of Successful Social Studies Units

1. Inquiry Questions

• UbD and Overarching Essential Questions                                                                                  
  
• The C3 Framework Inquiry Arc and Compelling Questions                                                                  
  
• Sample Questions and Organizers
  

 2. Performance-Based Assessment

• Authentic Tasks
  
• Rubrics
  

 3. Vocabulary Development

• Marzano’s Six-Step Process
  
• Vocabulary Organizers
  

4. Graphically-Organized Notes

• Gathering and Recording Information
  
•  Processing Information
  
•  Sample Organizers
  

5. Social Studies Skills

• Vertical Alignment
  
• Skill Builder Exercises
  

6.  Reading Like a Historian

• History as an Account of the Past
  
• Sourcing, Contextualizing, Close Reading, Corroborating
  
• Sample Organizers and Analysis Sheets
  

7. Evidence-Based Writing

• Argumentation: Claim – Evidence – Reasoning 
  
• Document-Based Questions
  
• Research Writing
  

 8. Discussion and Debate

• Socratic Seminar
  
• Scored Discussion
  
• Structured Academic Controversy
  
• Four Corners
  
• Continuum
  

 9.  Role-Play and Simulation

• Act-it-Out
• Simulation

10.  Relevance, Real World Connections and Civic Engagement

• Personal and Local Connections
  
• Current Events
• Civic Engagement Opportunities