Integrated Civic Curriculum
(Community High School, West Chicago)
Community High School in West Chicago uses an integrated approach to
civics education in the classroom. The curriculum is designed to provide
students with numerous opportunities to engage in activities embedded in
democratic principles and knowledge. Community High School’s philosophy is
to create effective citizens who positively contribute to the global community.
The integrated approach to civic education provides more depth than
traditional social studies courses; follows themes throughout; reflects
educational research on best practices; scaffolds essential themes and
knowledge, sequences content and skills, is used as a model for other
schools; and includes a variety of lesson strategies.
The social studies department curriculum is organized around the question
of What is an effective citizen in a global community? Each course has a
guiding question related to that question which corresponds with the course
of study. Each unit of study also has a guiding question related to the course
question. The questions provide opportunities for in-depth study, rather than
simple memorization of facts and dates, as well as a historical context for
current issues.
The four year sequence builds off the knowledge learned in the previous
course and simultaneously prepares students for the next course in the
sequence. The sequence starts with a broad look at the world and narrows to
look at U.S. Government:
- Freshman – World Geography (How do different aspects of the global community interact with each other?)
- Sophomore – World History (How does history impact the global community?)
- Junior – American History (What does it mean to be an American?)
- Senior – American Government (What is an effective citizen?)