Fairfax High School
3501 Rebel Run
Fairfax, VA 22030
Tel: 703.219.2200
fcps.edu/FairfaxHS
City of Fairfax Schools
The City of Fairfax School Board is committed to increasing the academic achievement of all of our students, strengthening the climate in which student learning takes place, and expanding our faculty’s professional learning communities to further enhance learning and achievement.
Providence Elementary School
3616 Jermantown Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
703.460.4400
fcps.edu/ProvidenceES
Superintendent Ann Monday
City School Board
Road Map to Success in History and Social Studies
“Students need to think critically and have excellent study skills,” says Amy Smith, chair of Lanier’s Social Studies Department. The same goes for all of the middle school curriculum areas, Smith explains. “This is what all four of the department chairs try to help students master. And parents can help.”
Following is the menu of courses that students can choose from to help them achieve success in history and social studies:
Elementary School
Grades K-6
- Curriculum is defined by the Program of Studies (POS) of Fairfax County Public Schools and the Standards of Learning (SOL) by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- Content includes: history, geography, economics, civics
Middle School
- Grade 7: U.S. History 7 Honors, U.S. History 7
- Grade 8: Civics / Economics Honors, Civics / Economics
High School
- Grade 9: Pre-AP World History, World History / Geography 1
- Grade 10: AP World History, World History / Geography II
- Grade 11: AP U.S. History, U.S. Virginia History
- Grade 12: AP Government, Government
Read on to learn more about the outstanding history classes and the professionals who teach them in the City of Fairfax Schools.
THE PATH TO SUCCESS IN SOCIAL STUDIES
What is the most important thing students need to know when they leave middle school?
“Students need to think critically and have excellent study skills,” says Amy Smith, chair of Lanier’s Social Studies Department. The same goes for all of the middle school curriculum areas, Smith explains. “This is what all four of the department chairs try to help students master.”
And parents can help. When it comes to social studies, Smith suggests that once a week, parents discuss current events with their kids. “Pick a topic that is in the news, and if you don’t know what is age appropriate refer to the Kids Page in The Washington Post.
“The entire family will likely learn something new, and students will also come to realize that their parents are curious and engaged about what is going on in the world. That is a critical message to send.”
Understanding history — present and past — also supports the 7th grade social studies curriculum, which covers U.S. history from 1877 to today. When students get to 8th grade, parents can help reinforce lessons that focus on that year’s course of study: Civics and Economics.
“In 8th grade, students focus on the role they play in the larger world and are required to do eight hours of community service. I encourage them to volunteer at a local charitable organization, and pick something they like so the experience is truly meaningful.”
Social Studies in high school
When it comes to mastering the topics taught in social studies class, Department Chairperson Maureen Keck says the key is for students to have terrific study skills.
“This is not unique to social studies, but because so much of the curriculum is based on being able to read about historical events and comprehend the information, students need to be able to read and write independently, have good analytical skills, and be able to focus in on the key concepts,” she says. “If they can hone those skills, and have the desire to learn the material, they can be successful at anything.”
Doing homework well is another critical skill. “No matter what class they are taking, I encourage my students to go through their social studies books and make outlines of the information they are learning. If they develop an outline for each chapter, they will have a simple guide to follow by the time they need to prepare for a test.”
Which classes should kids take? In 9th grade, students have the option of World History and Geography I, or a class that is new this year: Pre-Advanced Placement World History. “Although the basic World History class provides an excellent review of pre-history to 1500, I highly recommend the pre-AP class for freshman because it gives them a taste of an advanced placement course will be like, and more importantly it gives them the opportunity to learn how to analyze information,” Keck explains. “This is essential for success in the classes they’ll take in the coming years.”
In 10th grade, Keck says students can choose between the highly-challenging AP World History class, or World History (1500 to current times) and Geography II.
The following year, options include AP U.S. History or U.S. History, and in 12th grade students can take AP Government (which focuses on foreign policy), or the general Government class. Other options include Psychology, Sociology, and AP Psychology.
The big question Keck is often asked, she says, is which class to take: the AP version, or the “regular” one. “I know parents want a definitive answer, but the truth is that it depends on the student,” she shares. “Those with good study skills who are excited about learning the material will do beautifully in an AP class. The other courses are chock full of information, too, but we work a little harder on teaching them to study well. Either way I recommend students take a social studies class all four years of high school.”
What else can parents do to help? “Structure your child’s life, make sure they know school is a priority, and help them organize their time. I have children and know how tough it can be—but if you do this, the benefits will pay off for the rest of their lives.”