General Objectives

The Social Studies department has activities from k-4 to the 12th grade. The courses are taught with an average of 3-5 hours of instruction per week from 1st grade on. Instruction is done in both English Social studies courses (with an estimated 65% of the total program) and Spanish "sociales" classes. The program emphasizes the american and Latin American heritages. In K-4 and k-5, social studies is the basis of the entire curriculum, and through 5th grade, this area is will integrated to other subjects. in the secondary school, it is treated as a separate academic subject although integration exists for certain topics. Starting in 2nd grade, a teacher other than the homeroom teacher provides additional instruction in Spanish for "Social Studies", while the homeroom teacher continues instruction instruction in English for "Social Studies" class. The "sociales" course continues through 6th grade, and from 7th grade on, the subject is taught in either Spanish or English. For middle and high school, a department structure helps to provide continuity and revision in the area. Instruction in this field usually takes place in the homeroom or social studies classroom, though other school facilities (library,computer room, campus at large) are also used. Field trips are part of the curriculum.

Preprimary

The social studies program is the basis for instruction in K-4 and K-5. Concepts in math, language, science, and the Life Curriculum are built on the various units of the social studies program. The curriculum is constantly revised as are the ways in which student progress is assessed. Parents' input is encouraged and is often made part of the educational process.

In preprimary the program allows the children to progress and master objectives as they mature and explore their environment. The teachers closely monitor the students' progress in the given curriculum objectives

Primary

Starting from the 2nd grade, the minimal requirement for social studies is three 45 min. periods a week. "Sociales" is taught by a specialist, independently from social studies, during 19 periods a year.

Social studies encompasses the study of ecology (water, air, soil, and recycling) integrated with science; of basic geography (with emphasis on map skills), of geographical features and of native American cultures. ""Sociales" covers the understanding of the economy, government and laws of Cali, Valle, and colombia, and of pre-Colombian history and native Indian cultures

Social studies and "sociales" teachers complement their teaching with readings, field trips, reports, and art projects. Students observation (anecdotal), tests, and quizzes are frequent means of evaluation.

Middle School

The Middle School program recognizes that our current students will become not just spectators of world events, but citizens of the world. These future citizens must have the skills, knowledge and attitudes that will make them active and intelligent participants. The "sociales" program in 6th grade educates these citizens by teaching human and children rights and how the Colombian constitution of 1991 is a response to many current issues. Some of these issues are further explored in 7th and 8th grades.

A solid understanding of geography is an essential part of a good learning experience social studies. Therefore, the middle school program bonds the knowledge of space and basic map skills in 6th grade with the history of ancient civilizations in 7th grade and the geography and history of the United states in 8th grade. Special guest speakers are often invited to enhance the understanding of topics.

Teachers address the needs of the students both as individuals and as a group. A time is set by teachers for tutoring children who need reinforcement, and meetings with parents take place to discuss the progress of the students. Students are required to demonstrate an understanding of materials through tests, quizzes, homework, class work, projects, maps , reports, essays, and oral presentations. In 7th and 8th grades, essay writing is essential to the program. the use of English is emphasized throughout.

Through meetings with the teachers, the Department ensures that the program fulfills its objectives with no gaps or overlaps.

High School 

The department centers its efforts on presenting students with the political, economical and socio-cultural forces, events and developments that impact upon them. Historical, geo-political and current events are found in all courses 9th throughout 12th. Teachers make an effort to relate current topics with historical developments so that students can better understand the society in which they live.

A basic curriculum is followed and revised every year with the purpose of updating topics as current developments demand. A variety of sources is used, including textbooks, primary sources, newspapers, magazines, novels, short stories, TV, programs, and movies. Students are encouraged to use a word processor when working on projects and reports. Supplementary readings selected to provide reinforcement and enrichment to the topics being studied are assigned or recommended. In 9th grade (Colombian Studies) and 11th (Introduction to Political Science and economics), teachers develop their own teaching materials since no specific classroom textbook is used. Library research and group work are essential to these programs.

Selected students participate in extracurricular activities such as the model UN, debated and forums. Two computer search programs are used extensively as part of these activities. In 11th grade, "Career week", an activity designed to help students in their career selection process, is integrated to the Social Studies program.

A wide variety of evaluating techniques are used, and parents are informed regularly about the students' progress.

High School Courses 

Colombian Studies. This is a survey course for freshmen that introduces
students to the main developments in Colombian history from Colonial Times
to the Independence Period. The course also touches upon important economic
developments and introduces the students to basic concepts in this area.
Colombian geography, both social and physical complement the course. This
is a required course and it is taught in Spanish. Current teacher: [Ms.
Piedad Gómez]

World History. A survey course, taught to sophomres, that introduces the
student to the most important political, economical, social and cultural
developments in history, from a western perspective. The course is required
and is taught in English. Current teacher [Ms. Marielle Metz ]

Politics and Economics. An introductory course to political and economic
theories, issues and trends in the world. Emphasis is made on current
events in Colombia and the United States. The course is mandatory for all
juniors and is currently being taught by [Mr. Richard Probasco]

Colombia and the World. An in depth course in Colombian historiography from
the time of independance to the present. Importante political, economical
an social trends and issues are studied. The courses draws on primary
sources as much as possible and guess speakers are sometimes invited to
participate. It is required for all Seniors. Current teacher [Ms. Nelly
Guerra]

Philosophy. A survey course on the main philosophical ideas and theories
from Greece to the present. Required for all Sophomores. Current teacher
[Mr. CLaudio Iribertegui]

Current Issues. An elective course, taught by various members of the
faculty, that examines, from different perspectives, particular issues that
make part of the student's present world. Offered to juniors and seniors.
Not open every year.

Psychology. A survey elective course that briefly explores various schools,
theories, and thinkers in the area of psychology. The student has time to
explore his own feelings and thoughts as they relate to the topics being
surveyed. Offered to Juniors. Not open every year.

Conclusions. In general, many activities in Social Studies at all levels support the goals and principles established by the school. Some of these are explicitly stated in the preprimary and primary curriculums and are evident in the middle and high school curriculums. The Social Studies area particularly emphasizes the bilingual and binational component of the school's mission. Strengths

The main strengths in the Social Studies learning area are:

1. It allows students to use both English and Spanish by offering courses in English or Spanish, or both languages.

2. It provides the thematic base for most of the primary curriculum.

3. It relates its curricular topics to the experiences and surrounding environment of the students and at the same time emphasizes current issues.

4. Its flexible curriculum allows the teachers to permanently update and adapt it to the growing students' needs.

Suggested Strategies

• To expand the departmental structure to cover both secondary and primary schools.
• To create the time necessary for meetings between the teachers working in the different school sections.
• Develop workshops and study groups to achieve a unification of curricular and evaluative criteria.
• Promote the observation of classes between colleagues to share experiences and ideas. -Continue to ask for student input on issues concerning the curriculum and its implementation.