Social Studies Update

Last year, our Social Studies team met to review and update the curriculum. Some changes were minor (updating digital links and resources or purchasing an additional mentor texts) and some units have more significant changes. Please be sure you visit the Elementary Curriculum tab on the Park Hill website and view the updated curriculum documents. All changes made will be listed in the front matter under "Curriculum Revisions Tracking 2023-2024" since this is the school year the changes were made. If there are new resources, you can find those in Coach's Corner in Schoology.

This summer, members of our Instructional Coaching team had the opportunity to receive training from member's of DESE's Civics and Patriotism Advisory Committee. The information shared was about the work completed and lessons created to address Civics and Patriotism standards and instruction in the classroom. Below you will find information about the project timeline and how this project addresses Missouri House Bill 3002 and Missouri House Bill 2. You will also find buttons to access the lessons created by the advisory committee. The advisory committee created lessons to address priority standards related to civics and patriotism, as well as lessons for special days such as Patriot Day, Veteran's Day, Constitution Day, etc. The lessons contain all needed materials (worksheets, anchor charts or work examples, video links, recommended texts in Epic, etc.) should you choose to use them. Please note, these lessons are not required. We simply wanted to make sure you were aware that the lessons are available for use when you teach these standards and topics.

Civics provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate effectively in their communities and in the political process.

• Civics includes the knowledge, inquiry, and analysis of rights, duties, and responsibilities of individuals within their local, state, and national governments.
• Civics includes understanding and exercising rights and responsibilities within the community and nation.
• Civics includes describing and evaluating the political systems, laws, and institutions of local, state, and national governments.

These civic indicators prepare and empower individuals who are capable of making informed decisions and contributing to a more perfect union.

Patriotism is a knowledgeable connection and service to the United States of America in its journey to be a more perfect union.

• Patriotism includes knowledge and understanding of the common good and civic attitudes.
• Patriotism includes knowledge, inquiry, and analysis of our past and present.
• Patriotism includes an understanding of the connection between rights and responsibilities.
• Patriotism includes understanding and valuing human experiences.
• Patriotism includes understanding and celebrating shared values.

Patriotism inspires individuals' civic action wherever they are and however they can.