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Social studies is the integrated study of the social sciences to prepare young people to become responsible citizens. Responsible citizens display social understanding and civic competence. Social understanding is knowledge of social aspects of the human condition, how they have evolved over time, the variations that occur in differing physical environments and cultural settings, and the emerging trends that appear likely to shape the future. Civic competence is the readiness and willingness to assume citizenship responsibilities and to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a pluralistic, democratic society in an interdependent world.

Stressing the mastery of integrated knowledge helps student move from what is known to an understanding of the unknown, to see relationships and patterns and begin to make generalizations, to understand the interrelatedness of the subject and skills areas, and to succeed in learning. An integrated curriculum helps student learn how to learn.

Core Curriculum

The core curriculum at all levels emphasizes:

1. Higher level thinking and process skills
2. Citizenship/Character practices and principles
3. Basic American values
4. Economic Literacy
5. American Democratic Governance
6. Global Awareness and Geographical skills
7. Cultural Diversity and Geographical skills
8. Technology

Content Standards

For all grade levels, students will understand:

1. Culture
2. History
3. Geography
4. Government (Citizenship)
5. Economics
6. Technology

Curriculum Development

Social studies is an instructional program that provides K-12 students the opportunities to learn and understand the role of the family, school, and community; Guam’s culture and history; the history of the United States; the history and geography of the world; and American government and citizenship.

Professional Development

In coordination with the University of Guam and other higher educational institutions, the Department of Education provides workshops that relate to culture, history, geography (Global Perspective), government (Citizenship), economics, and technology.

Program Development

The Department of Education coordinates with local and national resources for the following social programs:

• High School Mock Trial Program
  • The Guam High School Mock Trial is an educational program sponsored in partnership between the Department of Education (DOE) and the Guam Superior Court. The local program started in 1974, and provides an intensive hands-on experience in law and public policy, set in the context of the American judicial system.
    
    Teams are made up of three witnesses and three attorneys on each side of the case. The attorneys prepare opening statements, conduct cross examinations and make closing arguments. The teams are judged on their presentation skills rather than on the legal merits of the issue being tried.
    
    Sixteen public, private, and military schools are invited annually to participate in the program. The mock trials are scheduled from January through March, with meetings beginning in October. Trials for the local competition begin in January and are held at the Guam Superior Court Building. The champions are invited to participate in the national competitions held in May in the mainland. Guam’s initial participation in the national championship was in May 1990.
    
    For more information, please contact Daniel M. Camacho, Guam state coordinator at Tel: (671) 475-0444/0450.
     

• Guam Close Up Program
  • The Guam Close Up Program provides students with opportunities to participate in educational, civics and fundraising activities in Washington D.C., New York, and throughout the Pacific Basin.
    
    The focus of this program is for the student to gain knowledge about various aspects of the U.S. Government. Students enhance civic learning in the school and community, actively take part in issues and processes of public policy, help fellow students interact with government officials, civic leaders and experts and promote citizen participation in the school and community.
    
    In addition, the program provides members with opportunities for leadership. All public, private, and military school students in grades 9 to 12 are eligible to participate through membership through their school Close Up Club. Guam receives student and teacher-advisor fellowship grants on an annual basis. Close Up Clubs have also been established at high schools in all our neighboring islands.
    
    For more information, please contact your respective high school principal.
     

• The Junior Statesmen of America Summer School (JSFA)
  • The Junior Statesmen Foundation of America offers a challenging, dynamic academic experience to students who have a passion for politics and government through the Junior Statesmen Summer School Programs. The month long summer school programs are held at Stanford, Princeton, Yale, Georgetown, and Northwestern Universities in June/July.
    
    In the past twelve years, 299 Guam students have graduated from the JSFA Summer School Programs; 45 in 2003. A rigorous curriculum is at the heart of the summer school. Designed with student leaders in mind, the program includes an in-depth introduction to American government, politics and public speaking. Classes meet six days a week, and the collegiate environment stresses substantial reading, research and writing.
    
    Through the Department of the Interior, Guam receives three scholarships that cover full tuition and round trip airfare to the Junior Statesmen Summer School session of the student’s choice. Visits to sixteen public, private and military schools are coordinated and scheduled to be held in the month of March. Application deadline is April 30.
    
    For more information, please contact the Curriculum and Instruction Division at Tel: (671) 475-0446 through 0450.
     

• The Gates Millennium Scholars
  • The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) is funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
    
    Established in 1999, the GMS provides outstanding African-American, American Indian/Alaska Natives, Asian/Pacific Island-American and Hispanic-American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in any discipline.
    
    Selection process is competitive and based upon academic achievement, community service, and leadership potential. Application deadline is February 1. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. The applicant must also be entering a U.S. accredited college or university as a full-time, degree-seeking freshman with demonstrated leadership abilities through community service, extracurricular or other activities.
    
    For more information, please contact the Curriculum and Instruction Division at Tel: (671) 475-0446 through 0450.
     

• We the People... The Citizen and the Constitution
  • We the People … The Citizen and the Constitution enhances students’ understanding of the American constitutional democracy and the contemporary relevance of the Bill of Rights.
    
    The primary goal of the program is to promote civic responsibility and competence in students. This is accomplished by emphasizing student involvement and encouraging students to relate important concepts and principles to historic and contemporary situations as well as to their own experience. The instructional program helps students develop critical thinking, problem-solving activities, cooperative learning, and public speaking skills.
    
    The We the People … instructional program complements regular school curricula by providing upper elementary (grades 4-6), middle school (grades 7-9), and high school (grades 10-12) students with a course of instruction on history and principles of democracy in the United States.
    
    For more information, please contact the Curriculum and Instruction Division at Tel: (671) 475-0446 through 0450.
     

• Project Citizen
  • Project Citizen is a portfolio-based civic educational program for middle school students. The program promotes competent and responsible participation in state and local government.
    
    The textbook is a process oriented instructional guide designed for use in grades 6-9. The curriculum involves an entire class of middle school students. The project focuses on the role of state and local governments. It actively engages students in learning how to monitor and influence public policy and encourages civic participation among students, their parents, and members of the community.
    
    As a class project, students work together to identify and study a public policy issue, eventually developing an action plan for implementing their policy. The final product is a portfolio displaying each group’s work. In a culminating activity the class presents its portfolio in a simulated legislative hearing, demonstrating their knowledge and understanding of how public policy is formulated.
    
    For more information, please contact the Curriculum and Instruction Division at Tel: (671) 475-0446 through 0450.
     

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