Secondary School, Social Studies Curriculum

Characteristics of Gifted Students and the Social Studies

The interdisciplinary nature of the social studies mirrors the way many gifted students view the world. Michael Piechowski explored the importance that gifted adolescents place on discerning connections underlying concepts, and on pursuing, uncovering, and creating meaning in their lives. A relentless quest for and relishing of complexity mark the intellectual and emotional life of many gifted students. At the same time, heightened sensitivity to ethical questions, moral issues, and social justice concerns tend to develop at a young age and lead in the high school years to intense passions for humanitarian causes and justice concerns. The study of secondary-school social studies can outfit gifted students with practical knowledge and skills that will sustain their pursuit of meaningful political and social activities throughout their lives.

High School Offerings

Twenty-first-century high school reform movements are generating multiple options for advanced learning in all subject areas. In the social studies, opportunities range from honors classes, Advanced Placement courses, both virtual and on-campus, and International Baccalaureate courses, to dual enrollment options, that is, college courses taught in high schools by college instructors. In addition, historical and governmental institutions, such as the National Archives and the Library of Congress, offer online learning experiences, and institutions of higher learning, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Yale University, offer courses without charge to all students with Internet access. In a more traditional vein, secondary schools continue to provide enrichment opportunities to engage students in active problem solving and real-world learning through the Future Problem Solving International Program (FPSIP), Community Problem Solving (CmPS), and simulated experiences, such as Model United Nations and Model Judiciary.

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