Understanding & Implementing the Standards in Social Studies

Social Studies Standards Documents

Standards Overview Webinars for Teachers

• K-5 Teachers
• 6-12 Teachers

Instructional Shifts

What instructional shifts do the standards require? Teachers must think about four instructional shifts as they are planning for effective implementation of Iowa’s social studies standards. Check out Iowa Academic Standards in Social Studies Instructional Shifts Overview (96.37 KB) .pdf . They are:

• Realize democratic principles
• Engage in disciplinary literacy practices
• Purposeful use of primary sources
• Integrate content and skills purposefully

Additional Resources

• Deconstructing standards to understand the student learning expectations is a key aspect of standards implementation. The Iowa Social Studies Standards Deconstructing Template (57.55 KB) .docx provides a framework for this work.
• The curriculum revision process is an important component of ensuring a viable and rigorous curriculum for each and every student in a school setting. The  Checklist for Social Studies Curriculum (215.8 KB) .pdf  guides districts through a comprehensive process when they are undergoing the social studies curriculum revision process.