Parallel Curriculum Units for Social Studies, Grades 6-12
- Jeanne H. Purcell - Connecticut State Department of Education
- Jann H. Leppien - University of Great Falls
"There is a freshness to Purcell and Leppien's approach transforming the curriculum into a platform for active investigation of our rapidly changing world. Your learners become 21st-century social scientists as they engage in probing timely issues and problems."
—Heidi Hayes Jacobs, Curriculum Expert and Author
President, Curriculum Designers, Inc.
Design Parallel Curriculum units for in-depth learning in social studies!
The Parallel Curriculum Model (PCM), as described in the best-selling book The Parallel Curriculum, is a framework for developing a dynamic curriculum that helps students acquire expertise in specific subject areas. This resource deepens teachers' understanding of how to use the PCM to provide rigorous learning opportunities for students in social studies.
In Parallel Curriculum Units for Social Studies, Grades 6–12, experienced teachers contribute sample social studies units that demonstrate what high-quality curriculum looks like within a PCM framework. Covering history, geography, sociology, and interdisciplinary studies, these field-tested units each contain:
- Teacher explanations of the unit design
- Connections to concepts, skills, and standards
- Step-by-step directions for delivering the lessons and units
- Modification strategies and methods for assessment
Use these examples to design your own units and enhance your ability to provide challenging curriculum tailored to the abilities, interests, and learning preferences of each learner.
"There is a freshness to Purcell and Leppien's approach transforming the curriculum into a platform for active investigation of our rapidly changing world. Your learners become 21st-century social scientists as they engage in probing timely issues and problems."
"All teachers want to provide high-quality curriculum for their students, but this goal is often not easily accomplished. The four social studies units in this book provide a clear view of what high-quality curriculum based on the Parallel Curriculum Model should look like and how it should be implemented. The units include high-end achievement targets; highly engaging lessons; innovative instructional strategies; activities that stimulate high-level thinking; and pre-, formative, and summative assessments. After reading these units, teachers will have a clear understanding of what makes high-quality curriculum."
