INTRODUCTION
History is more than memorizing a list of names and dates. History is everything that has happened since the beginning of time; however, that definition is so broad it would make it impossible to tell the story. Therefore, our study of history considers the period, which began five to six thousand years ago, when people began to keep records and continues to the present time.
Today we consider the study of history and social sciences to be an academic discipline – a formal field of study of definite time periods that we teach as year-long courses as World History, United States History, Economics and American Government.
Our goal is to prepare students to think critically about the events and issues that have shaped our past. Therefore, students are expected to develop the critical thinking skills that will enable them to: use historical perspectives; gain a cultural perspective; compare and contrast; problem solve; identify cause and effect; analyze; distinguish fact from opinion; identify values; hypothesize; evaluate; synthesize; understand geography; assess consequences, and take a stand.
Critical thinking is the reasoned judgment of information and ideas. These skills are needed if our students are to become effective citizens empowered to exercise their civil rights and assume responsibilities in a time when they are experiencing history every day.