United States History Studies Since 1877-Social studies skills

The student applies critical-thinking skills to organize and use information acquired from a variety of valid sources, including electronic technology. The student is expected to:

Use a variety of both primary and secondary valid sources to acquire information and to analyze and answer historical questions.

Analyze information by sequencing, categorizing, identifying cause-and-effect relationships, comparing and contrasting, finding the main idea, summarizing, making generalizations, making predictions, drawing inferences, and drawing conclusions.

Understand how historians interpret the past (historiography) and how their interpretations of history may change over time.

Use the process of historical inquiry to research, interpret, and use multiple types of sources of evidence.

Evaluate the validity of a source based on language, corroboration with other sources, and information about the author, including points of view, frames of reference, and historical context.

Identify bias in written, oral, and visual material.

Identify and support with historical evidence a point of view on a social studies issue or event.

Use appropriate skills to analyze and interpret social studies information such as maps, graphs, presentations, speeches, lectures, and political cartoons.

The student communicates in written, oral, and visual forms. The student is expected to:

Create written, oral, and visual presentations of social studies information.

Use correct social studies terminology to explain historical concepts.

Use different forms of media to convey information, including written to visual and statistical to written or visual, using available computer software as appropriate.

The student uses geographic tools to collect, analyze, and interpret data. The student is expected to:

Create thematic maps, graphs, and charts representing various aspects of the United States.

Pose and answer questions about geographic distributions and patterns shown on maps, graphs, charts, and available databases.

The student uses problem-solving and decision-making skills, working independently and with others, in a variety of settings. The student is expected to:

Use a problem-solving process to identify a problem, gather information, list and consider options, consider advantages and disadvantages, choose and implement a solution, and evaluate the effectiveness of the solution.

Use a decision-making process to identify a situation that requires a decision, gather information, identify options, predict consequences, and take action to implement a decision.