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Philosophy:
The Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools recognizes the need for active learning, inquiry and the development of critical thinking. In order to become better citizens, students should receive a balance of content information and process skills. Social Studies content, including culture, geography, economics, governance, and individual, groups and interactions, should be examined within its historical context. Historical study provides the background knowledge necessary for intelligent political and personal judgment preparing students for productive citizenship. Students should be provided the necessary skills for acquiring information from both primary and secondary sources, analyzing and interpreting data, problem solving, and placing items in historical context. Students should be expected to communicate their comprehension of the content and results of the investigative process.
Contact Information:
Todd Wigginton – K-12 Social Studies Coordinator
todd.wigginton@mnps.org
Phone # 615-259-8778
Fax # 615-214-8661
Becky Verner - Social Studies Program Assistant
Project Manager - Teaching American History Grant
rebecca.verner@mnps.org
Phone # 615-259-8778
Fax # 615-214-8661
Damon Harding – Senior Clerk
damon.harding@mnps.org
Phone # 615-259-8778
Fax # 615-214-8661
Social Studies Education Information:
Tennessee Social Studies Process Standards
Tennessee Social Studies Content Standards
Tennessee Social Studies Academic Vocabulary
Tennessee Council for Social Studies
National Council for Social Studies
Tennessee Council for History Education
National Council for History Education
Tennessee Geographic Alliance
National Council on Economics Education
Additional Social Studies Information:
For additional Social Studies Resources online complete the following (3) steps:
1). Go to www.portaportal.com.
2). Type the term MNPSSOCSTUDIES in the Guest Access text box for Guest Name.
3). Click Visit.
Academic Competition Opportunities:
MNPS Social Studies Projects Fair Grades 3-5
This competition integrates the skills assessed on the standards based report cards. It is also designed to prepare students for the National History Day competition in grades 6 through 12. For more information contact the MNPS Social Studies Department.
Tennessee History Day Grades 6-12
The mission of National History Day is to provide students with opportunities to learn historical content and develop research, thinking and communication skills through the study of history and to provide educators with resources and training to enhance classroom teaching. Students choose historical topics related to a theme and conduct extensive primary and secondary research through libraries, archives, museums, oral history interviews and historic sites. After analyzing and interpreting their sources and drawing conclusions about their topics’ significance in history, students present their work in original papers, exhibits, performances and documentaries. These products are entered into competitions in the spring at local, state and national levels where they are evaluated by professional historians and educators. The program culminates in a national competition each June held at the University of Maryland at College Park.
Tennessee Geography Bee Grades 4-8
Each year thousands of schools in the United States participate in the National Geographic Bee using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society. The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography. Schools with students in grades four through eight are eligible for this entertaining and challenging test of geographic knowledge.
Areas of Local Interest:
Teaching American History Grant
Discover B.A.H.A.! (Bringing American History Alive) | 
