Social Studies
Students build their own understanding of the past and present.
In social studies classrooms, students build critical thinking, problem-solving, reading, and writing skills.
Students better understand our world by sharing their stories and learning the stories of others. Students build citizenship skills to make choices about themselves and the world around them.
Portrait of a Graduate
The Portrait of a Graduate guides social studies instruction for all students. Through social studies classes, students develop the Portrait of Graduate skills such as
- Communicator
- Collaborator
- Ethical and Global Citizen
- Creative and Critical Thinker
- Goal-Directed and Resilient
Developing Thinking Skills
Student learning focuses on thinking activities that are important in other subjects. Students have chances to apply skills across the curriculum. These skills include:
- Wondering and asking questions
- Including multiple experiences and stories
- Making original connections
- Using problem solving
- Reasoning based on evidence
- Monitoring and self-directed learning
Kings Glen Elementary School Students and Staff Making History, One Marker at a Time
Students from one Springfield elementary school are responsible for nominating 3 of the 5 new Virginia historical highway markers highlighting Black history chosen in Governor Northam’s Black History Month Historical Marker contest.
FCPS Heritage Months, Celebrations and Traditions
Learn more about heritage months acknowledged by FCPS and the Fairfax County School Board.
Program of Studies
Elementary
Kindergarten - Grade 3
Students in kindergarten through grade 3 are introduced to a study of history, geography, civics, and economics. Students learn:
- basic concepts of chronological time
- physical and human geography
- citizenship education
- economic choices
Grades 4 - 6
The content studied in grades 4, 5, and 6 are divided into three different curriculums:
- Virginia Studies
- World History
- United States History to 1865.
Design Principles for Cultural Responsiveness
FCPS is committed to creating a curriculum where all students:
- See themselves
- Notice their identities are affirmed
- Receive the resources they need to reach their fullest potential
Disciplinary Literacy
In social studies, students learn reading and writing practices for nonfiction texts.
Balanced Assessment
Social studies classrooms provide many opportunities that help students show what they can do with what they know, including:
- Multiple choice
- Short answer
- Discussion
- Debates
- Writing
- Tests
- Exams
- Projects
- Portfolios
FCPS in the News
- Prasidha Padmanabhan got more women of color added to history lessons
- Jessica Park is a 7th grade U.S. History teacher at Liberty Middle School
- Reston students’ suggestion among winners of Virginia Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Historical Marker Contest
- Virginia students learn financial basics before graduation
