Social Studies

Our K-12 social studies curriculum emphasizes inquiry, critical thinking, and real-world application preparing students for civic responsibility, cultural understanding, and lifelong participation in community life.

Learners study History, Geography, Civics, and Economics, including Personal Financial Literacy. Grounded in the Colorado Academic Standards, instruction encourages learners to ask compelling questions, analyze multiple perspectives, evaluate sources, and use evidence to form well-reasoned conclusions. Beginning with foundational concepts in elementary grades and progressing toward deeper disciplinary thinking in secondary courses, students examine how people, places, and ideas interact across time and space. They learn how government works, how economies function, and how individuals contribute to society. These skills are essential for informed decision-making in an increasingly interconnected world.

Below you’ll find documents that outline the key units taught throughout the school year in social studies. These overviews provide a high-level snapshot of the instructional sequence for each grade level. Each unit, module, or topic is linked to a more detailed unit plan, which includes the standards, essential content, and instructional focus. While the site is accessible to all stakeholders, some linked resources, such as assessments or copyrighted instructional materials, may only be accessible to staff.

Elementary

Our K–5 inquiry units guide students to explore social studies, history, geography, civics, economics, and personal financial literacy, through meaningful questions, hands-on investigation, and evidence-based thinking. Each unit is aligned to the Colorado Academic Standards to help young learners make sense of their community, understand diverse perspectives, and build foundational skills for engaged citizenship.

Using the C3 inquiry process, students learn to develop compelling questions, investigate multiple viewpoints, and apply evidence to build deeper understanding. This approach ensures purposeful, connected learning that strengthens curiosity, reasoning, and real-world problem-solving.

In 4th grade, where the focus is Colorado history, TCM Exploring Social Studies: Colorado serves as the board-adopted resource that provides structured investigations and rich primary sources to guide student learning.

Learn About the C3 Inquiry Framework Learn about Exploring Social Studies: Colorado

View the Elementary Social STudies Curriculum

Middle

Middle school social studies empowers learners to investigate how people, places, and systems shape our world. Through analysis of geography, cultures, governments, economic structures, historical developments, and personal financial literacy, students build evidence-based reasoning, deepen their understanding of global and local contexts, and make meaningful connections to their own lives. Units are aligned to the Colorado Academic Standards and supported by shared common assessments that strengthen critical thinking and ensure consistent learning across D51.

Instruction is supported by the board-adopted McGraw Hill Voices and Perspectives Colorado and The DBQ Project, which provide robust resources aligned to the Colorado Academic Standards.

Learn about McGraw Hill Voices and Perspectives Colorado

Learn About The DBQ Project

View the Middle School Social Studies Curriculum

High

High school social studies is aligned to the Colorado Academic Standards and builds a strong foundation in world history, U.S. history, American government, and economics. These courses engage, equip, and empower students to examine complex historical and contemporary issues through multiple perspectives. Using Savvas World History Interactive, U.S. History Interactive, and Magruder’s American Government Interactive, learners work with rich content, primary sources, and digital tools that deepen their understanding of historical events, political systems, and modern challenges. Economics instruction is supported by TCI Econ Alive! 3rd Edition, helping students navigate economic principles and real-world financial decision-making. Together, the four required graduation courses - World History, U.S. History, American Government, and Economics - create a consistent and rigorous experience that prepares graduates to analyze the past, understand the present, and make informed choices beyond high school.

Learn About Savvas Interactive Learn About TCI Econ Alive!

View the High School Social studies Curriculum