Social Studies

The purpose of social studies instruction in Walla Walla Public Schools is to help students become knowledgeable, lifelong learners with the ability to make informed and responsible decisions as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic and global society.  Receiving a well-grounded foundation and understanding of social studies concepts provide students with unique and diverse viewpoints to examine their role in the community, state, nation, and the world in order to actively participate in our democracy.

Social Studies Frameworks

• K-5
• 6-8
• 9-12

Essential Academic Learning Requirements

• Civics
• Economics
• Geography
• History
• Social Studies Skills

Classroom-based assessments are now being used to make sure students are getting key skills and knowledge in social studies.
Classroom-based assessments are built from the state’s learning standards. State curriculum specialists create tasks and questions that model good assessments and provide these to local school districts. As their name suggests, these assessments are given in the classroom by a teacher.

Beginning with the 2008-09 school year, students in the fourth or fifth grade, seventh or eighth grade, and the eleventh or twelfth grade are required to complete at least one classroom-based assessment in Civics.  These Civics assessments may be selected from a list approved by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

• Click here to see all assessments available for Social Studies.

Bridging Documents explain how specific social studies programs and instructional materials can help teachers and students complete a particular CBA. (Please note that all of the programs listed above are part of non-profit organizations.)

• Social Studies Bridging Documents and CBA Resources

Elementary students experience Social Studies instruction in a variety of ways: the traditional textbook, classroom-based assessments, and integration with other subject areas such as language arts and writing. Textbooks for kindergarten through third grade and fifth grade are from the Stories in Time series, published by Harcourt.  Students in grade 4 study Washington state - its history, geography, economy and current issues. 

Students learn about their classroom communities, families, communities, cultures and, finally, the early days of United States history and development.

Secondary school students receive social studies instruction as part of their school day.  Below you will find a listing of textbooks used in middle and high school classrooms.