History & Civic Studies (HCS)

Overview

The History and Civic Studies (HCS) curriculum for grades 5-12 fosters a deep understanding of historical events, geographic literacy, and civic leadership through inquiry-based, project-oriented learning. It prepares students for informed citizenship and careers in history, law, public policy, or education by emphasizing critical analysis, cultural perspectives, and ethical decision-making. Aligned with National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) standards and Arizona benchmarks, the curriculum integrates historical narratives, geographic contexts, and civic responsibilities through activities like historical reenactments, map-based projects, and policy debates. Inclusive adaptations, such as visual timelines, audio resources, and simplified texts, ensure accessibility for diverse learners, promoting equitable participation.

Curriculum Description

The HCS curriculum progresses from foundational knowledge in grades 5-6 to complex historical and civic analysis in grades 7-8, culminating in advanced policy development and leadership in grades 9-12. The three core components—American History, World History and Geography, and Civic Studies and Government—encourage students to explore historical events, analyze spatial relationships, and engage in civic processes through hands-on projects like timelines, mock elections, and community policy proposals. Supported by resources such as Tuttle Twins America’s History: A Tuttle Twins Series of Stories, Volume 1 (1215–1776) and Mark Twain Media U.S. Constitution: U.S. Constitution Resource Book Grade 5-8, the curriculum fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and ethical civic engagement.

American History

  • Key Topics:
    • Colonial and Revolutionary Periods (e.g., founding principles, independence movements).
    • Civil War and Reconstruction (e.g., causes, consequences, civil rights).
    • Modern America (e.g., industrialization, 20th-century conflicts, civil rights movements).
  • Progression:
    • Grades 5-6: Explore key events and figures, such as the Declaration of Independence and George Washington, through storytelling and visuals. Students use Tuttle Twins America’s History: A Tuttle Twins Series of Stories, Volume 1 (1215–1776) and Volume 2 (1776–1791) to study colonial life and revolutionary ideals. Activities include creating illustrated timelines of the American Revolution and role-playing colonial debates, supported by Mark Twain Media American Revolution: The American Revolution Workbook Grade 5-12. Projects involve designing a poster on founding principles, with peer feedback on historical accuracy.
    • Grades 7-8: Analyze complex causes and impacts of the Civil War and Reconstruction, exploring themes like abolition and federalism, using Mark Twain Media Civil War: Civil War Resource Book Grade 5-8. Activities include debating Reconstruction policies and mapping Civil War battles, supported by Mark Twain Media U.S. History: People and Events 1607-1865 Resource Book Grade 6-8. Projects involve a group presentation on a Civil War figure (e.g., Lincoln, Douglass), with evaluations for evidence and clarity.
    • Grades 9-12: Evaluate modern American history, including industrialization, World War II, and civil rights movements, using Mark Twain Media U.S. History: People and Events 1865-Present Resource Book Grade 6-12 and Mark Twain Media World War II: World War II Workbook Grade 6-12. Activities include analyzing primary sources (e.g., MLK’s speeches) and leading discussions on civil rights impacts. Projects involve creating a documentary on a 20th-century movement, with rubrics assessing historical depth and multimedia integration, supported by Mark Twain Media Black History: Black History Activities Workbook Grade 5-8.

World History and Geography

  • Key Topics:
    • Ancient and Medieval Civilizations (e.g., Egypt, Rome, feudal systems).
    • Modern Global History (e.g., Renaissance, global conflicts, globalization).
    • Geographic Literacy (e.g., physical geography, cultural regions, map skills).
  • Progression:
    • Grades 5-6: Study ancient civilizations (e.g., Greece, Rome) and basic map skills, using Mark Twain Media Civilizations: Greek and Roman Civilizations Resource Book Grade 5-8 and Mark Twain Media World Geography: World Geography Resource Book Grade 6-12. Activities include creating maps of ancient trade routes and role-playing Greek democracy, supported by Mark Twain Media Exploring Europe: Exploring Europe Resource Book Grade 5-8. Projects involve a world culture map display, with peer feedback on geographic accuracy.
    • Grades 7-8: Analyze interconnectedness of civilizations (e.g., Silk Road, Age of Exploration), using Mark Twain Media World Civilizations: World Civilizations and Cultures Resource Book Grade 5-8. Activities include mapping global trade networks and debating exploration impacts, supported by Mark Twain Media Exploration: Interactive Notebook: Discovery and Exploration Resource Book Grade 5-8. Projects involve a group presentation on a global historical event (e.g., Renaissance), supported by Mark Twain Media Renaissance: Renaissance Resource Book Grade 5-8.
    • Grades 9-12: Explore modern global challenges, such as migration and globalization, using Mark Twain Media Migration & Immigration: Migration & Immigration History Activities Workbook Grade 5-8 and Mark Twain Media World Governments: World Governments Workbook Grade 5-12. Activities include analyzing migration patterns and leading seminars on global conflicts. Projects involve a policy brief on a global issue (e.g., refugee crises), with rubrics assessing research and solutions, supported by Mark Twain Media World Geography: World Geography Puzzles: Countries of the World Workbook Grade 5-12.

Civic Studies and Government

  • Key Topics:
    • Government Systems (e.g., U.S. Constitution, federalism, world governments).
    • Citizenship and Legal Processes (e.g., voting, jury duty, legal rights).
    • Civic Engagement (e.g., community involvement, policy advocacy).
  • Progression:
    • Grades 5-6: Study U.S. Constitution basics and civic duties like voting, using Mark Twain Media U.S. Constitution: U.S. Constitution Resource Book Grade 5-8 and Mark Twain Media Democracy and Justice: Democracy, Law, and Justice Resource Book Grade 5-8. Activities include creating government structure charts and role-playing jury duty, supported by Mark Twain Media U.S. Constitution: U.S. Constitution Puzzles Workbook Grade 5-12. Projects involve a voting rights poster, with peer evaluations for clarity.
    • Grades 7-8: Analyze civic responsibilities, such as elections and legal processes, using Mark Twain Media U.S. Constitution: Interactive Notebook: U.S. Constitution Resource Book Grade 5-12. Activities include simulating a local election and analyzing court cases, supported by Mark Twain Media U.S. Government: Jumpstarters for U.S. Government Resource Book Grade 4-8. Projects involve organizing a mock election, with evaluations for organization and voter engagement.
    • Grades 9-12: Lead policy initiatives, such as voter registration drives, using Mark Twain Media U.S. Constitution: U.S. Constitution Quick Starts Workbook Grade 4-12. Activities include debating policy impacts and drafting legal briefs, supported by Mark Twain Media Literacy in History: Literacy in History and Social Studies Resource Book Grade 6-8. Projects involve a community civic engagement campaign, with rubrics assessing leadership and policy impact.

Summary of Topics Learned

  • Grades 5-7: Foundational knowledge of American and world history, basic geography, and civic duties through projects like timelines, culture maps, and voting posters, building historical awareness and civic understanding.
  • Grades 8-9: Complex analysis of historical events, global interconnectedness, and civic responsibilities through projects like Civil War presentations, trade network maps, and mock elections, fostering critical thinking and engagement.
  • Grades 10-12: Advanced synthesis of historical impacts, global challenges, and policy leadership through projects like civil rights documentaries, migration policy briefs, and civic campaigns, preparing for informed citizenship and policy careers.

Educational Impact

Aligned with NCSS standards and Arizona benchmarks, the HCS curriculum cultivates historical literacy, geographic awareness, and civic responsibility, preparing students for careers in history, law, public policy, or education. Its inclusive design, with adaptations like visual aids and simplified texts, ensures accessibility, promoting critical thinking and ethical engagement in diverse, global contexts.

Resources

  • Hands-on: Maps, primary source documents, civic simulation kits.
  • Texts/Guides: Historical texts, government guides.
  • Digital: Simulations (e.g., iCivics), https://curriculumthatmatters.com/.
  • Books and Series:
    • Tuttle Twins America’s History: A Tuttle Twins Series of Stories, Volume 1 (1215–1776) (ISBN: 9781943521371)
    • Tuttle Twins America’s History: A Tuttle Twins Series of Stories, Volume 2 (1776–1791) (ISBN: 9781943521388)
  • Workbooks:
    • Mark Twain Media Mythology: Greek and Roman Mythology Workbook Grade 6-12 (ISBN: 9781622235902)
    • Mark Twain Media Native American History: Native American History Activities Workbook Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622236558)
    • Mark Twain Media U.S. Constitution: U.S. Constitution Quick Starts Workbook Grade 4-12 (ISBN: 9781622237166)
    • Mark Twain Media U.S. Constitution: Understanding the U.S. Constitution Workbook Grade 5-12 (ISBN: 9781622237005)
    • Mark Twain Media U.S. Constitution: U.S. Constitution Puzzles Workbook Grade 5-12 (ISBN: 9781622236640)
    • Mark Twain Media American Revolution: The American Revolution Workbook Grade 5-12 (ISBN: 9781622236664)
    • Mark Twain Media American Leaders: American Leaders & Innovators: Colonial Times to Reconstruction Workbook Grade 6-12 (ISBN: 9781622236527)
    • Mark Twain Media Lewis and Clark: The Lewis and Clark Expedition Workbook Grade 5-12 (ISBN: 9781622237012)
    • Mark Twain Media Westward Expansion: Westward Trails Workbook Grade 5-12 (ISBN: 9781622236657)
    • Mark Twain Media Migration & Immigration: Migration & Immigration History Activities Workbook Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622237685)
    • Mark Twain Media Civil War: The Civil War: The War Between the States Workbook Grade 5-12 (ISBN: 9781622236671)
    • Mark Twain Media Industrial Revolution: Industrial Revolution Workbook Grade 6-12 (ISBN: 9781622236503)
    • Mark Twain Media U.S. Presidents: U.S. Presidents Workbook Grade 5-12 (ISBN: 9781622237029)
    • Mark Twain Media Black History: Black History Activities Workbook Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622236565)
    • Mark Twain Media Women in History: Women in American History Activities Workbook Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622236572)
    • Mark Twain Media Roaring 20s: The Roaring 20s and the Great Depression Workbook Grade 5-12 (ISBN: 9781622236688)
    • Mark Twain Media Holocaust: Holocaust Workbook Grade 6-12 (ISBN: 9781622236695)
    • Mark Twain Media World War II: World War II Workbook Grade 6-12 (ISBN: 9781622236701)
    • Mark Twain Media World Governments: World Governments Workbook Grade 5-12 (ISBN: 9781622236978)
    • Mark Twain Media U.S. History: U.S. History Quick Starts Workbook Grade 4-12 (ISBN: 9781622237180)
    • Mark Twain Media World History: World History Quick Starts Workbook Grade 4-12 (ISBN: 9781622237173)
    • Mark Twain Media U.S. History Maps: Maps for U.S. History Workbook Grade 6-12 (ISBN: 9781622236497)
    • Mark Twain Media World Geography: World Geography Workbook Grade 5-10 (ISBN: 9781622236855)
    • Mark Twain Media World Geography: World Geography Quick Starts Workbook Grade 4-12 (ISBN: 9781622237197)
    • Mark Twain Media World Geography: World Geography Puzzles: Countries of the World Workbook Grade 5-12 (ISBN: 9781622236923)
    • Mark Twain Media Map Reading: Map Reading Skills Workbook Grade 5-12 (ISBN: 9781622236930)
  • Teacher/Tutor Resources:
    • Mark Twain Media Civilizations: Mayan, Incan, and Aztec Civilizations Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622237128)
    • Mark Twain Media Civilizations: Greek and Roman Civilizations Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622237111)
    • Mark Twain Media Mythology: Greek & Roman Mythology Resource Book Grade 6-12 (ISBN: 9781622235919)
    • Mark Twain Media World History: World History Egypt and the Middle East Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622237142)
    • Mark Twain Media Medieval Times: Medieval Times Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622236381)
    • Mark Twain Media Renaissance: Renaissance Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622236374)
    • Mark Twain Media Exploration: Interactive Notebook: Discovery and Exploration Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622237661)
    • Mark Twain Media Exploring Europe: Exploring Europe Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622236954)
    • Mark Twain Media Exploring North America: Exploring North America Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622236961)
    • Mark Twain Media Exploring South America: Exploring South America Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622236978)
    • Mark Twain Media Exploring Africa: Exploring Africa Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622236985)
    • Mark Twain Media Exploring Asia: Exploring Asia Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622236992)
    • Mark Twain Media Exploring Australia: Exploring Australia Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622237008)
    • Mark Twain Media Colonization: Interactive Notebook: Colonization Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622237678)
    • Mark Twain Media Colonial Life: Life in the Colonies Resource Book Grade 4-7 (ISBN: 9781622237203)
    • Mark Twain Media Exploration and Constitution: Exploration, Revolution, and Constitution Resource Book Grade 6-12 (ISBN: 9781622236510)
    • Mark Twain Media U.S. Constitution: U.S. Constitution Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622237098)
    • Mark Twain Media U.S. Constitution: Interactive Notebook: U.S. Constitution Resource Book Grade 5-12 (ISBN: 9781622237654)
    • Mark Twain Media American Revolution: The American Revolution Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622237210)
    • Mark Twain Media American Revolution: Interactive Notebook: The American Revolution Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622237647)
    • Mark Twain Media Lewis and Clark: The Lewis and Clark Expedition Resource Book Grade 4-7 (ISBN: 9781622237227)
    • Mark Twain Media California Gold Rush: The California Gold Rush Resource Book Grade 4-7 (ISBN: 9781622237234)
    • Mark Twain Media Westward Expansion: Westward Expansion and Migration Resource Book Grade 6-12 (ISBN: 9781622236534)
    • Mark Twain Media Westward Expansion: Interactive Notebook: Westward Expansion Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622237630)
    • Mark Twain Media Civil War: Slavery, Civil War, and Reconstruction Resource Book Grade 6-12 (ISBN: 9781622236541)
    • Mark Twain Media Civil War: Civil War Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622237104)
    • Mark Twain Media U.S. History: People and Events: 1607-1865 Resource Book Grade 6-8 (ISBN: 9781622237081)
    • Mark Twain Media U.S. History: People and Events 1607-1865 Resource Book Grade 6-12 (ISBN: 9781622237074)
    • Mark Twain Media World War I: World War I Resource Book Grade 6-12 (ISBN: 9781622236596)
    • Mark Twain Media Great Depression: Interactive Notebook: The Great Depression Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622237623)
    • Mark Twain Media World War II: World War II Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622236602)
    • Mark Twain Media Post-War: World War II & the Post-War Years Resource Book Grade 4-7 (ISBN: 9781622237241)
    • Mark Twain Media U.S. History: People and Events 1865-Present Resource Book Grade 6-12 (ISBN: 9781622237067)
    • Mark Twain Media U.S. History: Inventors, Scientists, Artists, & Authors Resource Book Grade 6-8 (ISBN: 9781622236619)
    • Mark Twain Media Tutor Series: Reading Tutor: Biographies Resource Book Grade 4-8 (ISBN: 9781622236626)
    • Mark Twain Media Democracy and Justice: Democracy, Law, and Justice Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622236985)
    • Mark Twain Media U.S. Government: Jumpstarters for U.S. Government Resource Book Grade 4-8 (ISBN: 9781622236886)
    • Mark Twain Media U.S. Government: Interactive Notebook: United States Government Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622237616)
    • Mark Twain Media U.S. States: 50 U.S States and Territories Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622236947)
    • Mark Twain Media U.S. Maps: U.S. States and Territories Maps Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622237036)
    • Mark Twain Media U.S. History Maps: U.S. History Maps Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622237043)
    • Mark Twain Media U.S. History: Amazing Facts in U.S. History Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622237050)
    • Mark Twain Media U.S. History Puzzles: U.S. History Puzzles, Book 2 Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622236893)
    • Mark Twain Media U.S. History Puzzles: U.S. History Puzzles, Book 3 Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622236909)
    • Mark Twain Media World Civilizations: World Civilizations and Cultures Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622236954)
    • Mark Twain Media World History: Jumpstarters for World History Resource Book Grade 4-8 (ISBN: 9781622236916)
    • Mark Twain Media History Projects: Hands-On History Projects Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622236939)
    • Mark Twain Media Literacy in History: Literacy in History and Social Studies Resource Book Grade 6-8 (ISBN: 9781622236718)
    • Mark Twain Media World Geography: World Geography Resource Book Grade 6-12 (ISBN: 9781622236855)
    • Mark Twain Media World Geography: Discovering the World of Geography Resource Book Grade 6-7 (ISBN: 9781622236862)
    • Mark Twain Media World Geography: Discovering the World of Geography Resource Book Grade 7-8 (ISBN: 9781622236879)
    • Mark Twain Media World Geography: World Geography Puzzles Resource Book Grade 6-12 (ISBN: 9781622236923)
    • Mark Twain Media Geography Warm-Ups: Geography Warm-Ups Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622236831)
    • Mark Twain Media Exploring Antarctica: Exploring Antarctica Resource Book Grade 5-8 (ISBN: 9781622237012)

Assessment Methods

  • Formative: Discussions, timeline analyses, peer feedback on civic simulations.
  • Summative: Portfolios (e.g., historical essays, policy briefs), projects (e.g., documentaries, voter campaigns), rubrics (1-4 scale for historical accuracy, critical thinking, leadership).

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