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CURRICULUM-

AMERICAN STUDIES, GRADE 9 1








Curriculum Map for American Studies, Grade 9

Central York School District- York, Pennsylvania

Matthew J. Monahan

Millersville University

November 28, 2016

CURRICULUM- AMERICAN STUDIES, GRADE 9 2

Overview

One of the purposes of public education in American has always been to build
strong citizens. Students with an understanding of history, and the skills necessary for
success in social studies, will be more likely embrace their civic duties and be more
engaged participants in American government and society. Korchnak (2012) establishes
that, Education is a concern of the federal government, a function of state government,
and the responsibility of local government (p. xi). The State of Pennsylvania does not
prescribe a standardized state test for any high school social studies course. The
responsibility for the degree to which students in the Central York School District use
American Studies content and skills to inform their lives rests with the district. The
American Studies course, at the 9th grade level provides a context from which high school
students study other social studies courses, including global studies, civics, and various
elective courses.
The 9th grade American Studies course curriculum in the Central York School
District (CYSD) must be rewritten to improve student understanding, to improve student
acquisition of 21st century knowledge and skills, and to aid in the improvement of 9th
grade test scores on state assessments. The curriculum map proposed here reflects the
Understanding by Design philosophy of Wiggins and McTighe (2005), who encourage
that curriculum planning begin with the end in mind. Goals for student learning, in the
form of Essential Questions (EQs) and Enduring Understandings (EUs), are the root and
focus of each unit. Student knowledge and competencies are geared toward EQs and
EUs, and assessment evidence evaluates student exhibition of skills rather than rote
content recall. The resources illustrate learning activities designed to engage students in
learning opportunities directed toward gaining those vital skills and competencies.
To expand student acquisition of 21st century knowledge and skills this proposed
American Studies curriculum map follows a prescription by Jacobs (2010) to upgrade
content. A meaningful content upgrade requires answers to three questions: 1) what
content should be kept: 2) what content should be cut? 3) what content should be
created? (Jacobs, 2010, pp.30-31). As a study of human relationships, societal patterns,
and critical turning points American Studies is crucial to global competency in the 21st
century. The focus should be fixed upon concepts that comprise historical themes and
concepts and help students to make connections between their lives, the history of the
United States, and the greater world.
As established, social studies is not a state-tested subject. With a focus on skills-
based instruction and assessment, an American Studies course is well positioned to
support tested subjects. Social studies teachers in CYSD are attempting to place more
emphasis on transferrable academic skills such as patterns, synthesis, context, reasoning
and interpretation. These skills are especially valuable in supporting English Language
Arts (ELA) exams. If students in a social studies class learn to analyze primary sources,
draw connections between historical themes and concepts, and form opinions, these skills
will serve them well in all academic disciplines and lead to increased performance in
tested subjects.
CURRICULUM- AMERICAN STUDIES, GRADE 9 3

Curriculum Map

The Rubicon Atlas software program supports, and provides the framework
for this rewrite of the CYSD American Studies curriculum in grade 9. The map is
available for review at
https://anngaudino.rubiconatlas.org/Atlas/Develop/View/UnitCalendar?TeacherID=
28&CurriculumMapID=38&EditMode=1&SubNavDevelop=1&

Implementation Timeline and Assessment of Results


Generally speaking, social studies teachers in CYSD have traditionally
taught American Studies using an industrial model of education, with less emphasis
placed in skills and individualized instruction and more emphasis placed on the
mastery of content. To reevaluate and update the teaching of American Studies may
initially be uncomfortable for educators whose teaching style is closer to the content-
heavy industrial model of education. Mary Parker Follett advised, We cannot be too
careful of the power of previous ideas. (Graham, 2003, p. 135). For that reason,
obtaining buy-in from American Studies teachers regarding the new curriculum is crucial
to its implementation and success. Fisher and Ury (2011) argue that people are unlikely
to approve a product if they are not involved in the process of creating and implementing
it. With that said, the timeline for implementation of this revised American Studies
curriculum map must focus on selling the salience of skills-based instruction with less
focus on traditional content and more focus on transferrable skills.
Martin (2007) advocates that a shift from conventional thinking to integrative
thinking involves a broader view of what is salient (p.41). The potential payoff is very
exciting. If teachers can direct student-centered instruction that makes connections
between historical events and the lives of students, social studies will be more relevant to
students. If students have opportunities, though student-centered instruction they will be
more engaged in social studies. Teachers are they key, however. As Olivia (2013)
argues, teachers arethe primary group in curriculum development. They initiate
proposals and carry them out in their classrooms (p.79).
Because much of the implementation of this curriculum will involve a shift
in mindset from what has been traditional, time and space will be necessary. In
order for this curriculum to be implemented in a fall semester, conversations with
American Studies teachers must begin during the previous spring semester. Such
conversations can take place first in department meetings informally. The formal
process of adopting the new curriculum will take place during the spring and
summer during allotted curriculum development time. Teachers and administrators
will need training to understand this new approach to social studies generally and
American Studies specifically. The effects of the new curriculum will be assessed
based on traditional and skills-based local assessments, student course evaluations
with specific questions about the curriculum, and results on the 9th grade ELA
Keystone exam. Teachers, in collaboration with building level leadership, will
assess this data and make suggestions for further adjustments to the American
Studies curriculum.
CURRICULUM- AMERICAN STUDIES, GRADE 9 4

Budget Plan

The implementation of this curriculum benefits from the fact that our district
has a 1:1 ratio of iPads to students at the high school level. All of the resources
included in the curriculum map are already in electronic form and may be shared
with students, and assessed using a learning management system (LMS) like
Schoology. CYSD currently subscribes to a paid version of Schoology. The real
cost to the district to implement this curriculum would be associated with faculty
development. Ideally all 13 teachers in the high school social studies department
would be involved in this development. Realistically the teachers who will teach 9th
grade American studies will participate in the implementation of the new
curriculum. Four teachers would be involved in one full day implementation
discussion, spanning 6.5 hours. CYSD pays substitutes $100/day ($105 after 20
days worked in the district within one school year). The cost would be four full day
substitute teachers at a total cost of $420.00. Additional paid professional
development hours will likely be needed during the summer. It is anticipated that
the cost of two days of conversation and planning will break down as follows:
$30.00 per hour for six hours, times four teachers for a total of $720.00. CYSD
pays facilitators of training $75.00/hour. A facilitator would cost the district
$1,387.50 in total. The total cost to CYSD of this curriculum implementation is
estimated at $2,527.50.

Conclusion
I recommend that the School Board of the Central York School District adopt the
revised curriculum for American Studies in grade 9, as outlined in the referenced
curriculum map. Its development, based on the Understanding By Design insures that
instruction is planned with EQs and EUs in mind. Many social studies teachers are
passionately attached to our content because it is fascinating and because we enjoy the art
of storytelling. The reality for teachers in CYSD, with our 1:1 ration of iPads to high
school students, is that content resources are available to students like never before.
Instruction should be focused on the ways in which we can help students develop skills
relevant to social studies rather than a focus on memorizing content.
In order to improve student acquisition of 21st century knowledge and skills, the
content of American Studies should be updated by deciding what content should be kept,
what content should be cut, and what content should be created (Jacobs 2010). As a
study of human relationships and societal patterns, American Studies is crucial to global
competency in the 21st century and we should embrace its potential for developing
transferrable critical thinking skills. The resources included in this curriculum map
illustrate skills-based instruction with a focus on Essential Questions and Enduring
Understandings that will serve our students well beyond a semester, or even a high school
academic career.
CURRICULUM- AMERICAN STUDIES, GRADE 9 5

References

Fisher, R. and Ury, W. (2011) Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In.

New York, NY: Penguin Books.

Graham, P. (ed.) (2003) Mary Parker Follett, Prophet of Management: A Celebration

of Writings From the 1920s. Washington, D.C.: Beard Books.

Jacobs, H.H. (2010) Curriculum 21: essential education for a changing world.

Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Jacobs, H.H. and Johnson, A. (2009) The Curriculum Mapping Planner: Templates,

Tools, and Resources for Effective Professional Development. Alexandria, VA:

ASCD.

Korchnak, L. (2012) Case Law and Common Sense: A Guide to Pennsylvania School

Law (4th ed.). Allison Park, PA: Educational Services Publishers.

Martin, R.L., (2007) The Opposable Mind: How Successful Leaders Win Through

Integrative Thinking. Boston, PA: Harvard Business School Press.

Oliva, P & Gordon II, W. (2013) Developing the curriculum (8th ed.). Upper Saddle

River, NJ: Pearson.

Wiggins, G. & McTighe, J. (2005) Understanding by design (expanded 2nd ed.). Upper

Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

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