BPS District Social Studies Standards Book

9-12 Grade Levels

Grade Band 9-12 logoIn High School, your child will be studying about .... A high-quality Social Studies program is essential for all students. It provides a foundation for intelligent and precise thinking. Social Studies should also prepare every student to contribute to society as an informed citizen. To be a responsible and productive member of today’s society, a student needs to have a broad, connected, and useful knowledge of Social Studies.


SST-HS.C Civics Domain

SST-HS.C.01 Explain the historical and philosophical foundations of government.
  • SST-HS.C.01.1 
    Evaluate the thoughts of major political philosophers.
  • SST-HS.C.01.2 
    Explain the influence of British and colonial history on early America.
  • SST-HS.C.01.3 
    Evaluate the creation and impact of primary sources on political thought in the United States.
SST-HS.C.02 Analyze the structures and functions of governments.
  • SST-HS.C.02.1 
    Differentiate/compare forms and origins of governments.
  • SST-HS.C.02.2 
    Examine the role and purposes of government.
  • SST-HS.C.02.3 
    Analyze the structure, principles, and interpretation of the Constitution of the United States.
  • SST-HS.C.02.4 
    Explain the relationship among federal, state, tribal, and local governmental powers.
  • SST-HS.C.02.5 
    Explain the purposes, organization, powers, and processes of tribal and local governments.
SST-HS.C.03 Describe the rights and liberties of individuals.
  • SST-HS.C.03.1 
    Describe and examine the amendments to the United States Constitution and their application in the United States.
  • SST-HS.C.03.2 
    Describe the impact of court cases on rights and liberties of individuals.
SST-HS.C.04 Investigate the role and responsibilities of citizenship in society.
  • SST-HS.C.04.1 
    Explain how citizens can influence government.
  • SST-HS.C.04.2 
    Describe and evaluate the criteria and process for naturalization in the United States.
  • SST-HS.C.04.3 
    Explain how citizens’ personal and civic responsibilities are important to the preservation and improvement of United States constitutional republic.
  • SST-HS.C.04.4 
    Identify bias and evaluate its role in media sources.
  • SST-HS.C.04.5 
    Demonstrate active participation in civic life.

SST-HS.E Economics Domain

SST-HS.E.01 Analyze the concept of scarcity when making economic decisions.
  • SST-HS.E.01.1
    Analyze the basic concepts of economic thinking.
  • SST-HS.E.01.2
    Describe the difference between a command/centrally planned economy and market economy.
SST-HS.E.02 Compare and contrast how varying economic systems impact a nation and its citizens.
  • SST-HS.E.02.1 
    Describe the difference between a command/centrally planned economy and market economy.
SST-HS.E.03 Analyze how supply and demand impact the allocation of goods and services.
SST-HS.E.04 Analyze the various institutions that drive and support the market economy.
  • SST-HS.E.04.1 
    Explain the role of businesses and financial institutions in a market economy.
  • SST-HS.E.04.2 
    Evaluate the role of government in a market economy.
  • SST-HS.E.04.3 
    Explain the functions and role of money.
SST-HS.E.05 Evaluate the various macroeconomic measurements available to determine an economy’s size and strength.
SST-HS.E.06 Analyze how globalization has impacted various aspects of economies around the world.
  • SST-HS.E.06.1 
    Describe how trade generates economic development and interdependence.
  • SST-HS.E.06.2 
    Analyze the benefits and costs for individuals, producers, and governments in international trade.
SST-HS.E.07 Evaluate the elements of responsible personal finance.
  • SST-HS.E.07.1
    Evaluate career choices and the effect on the standard of living.
  • SST-HS.E.07.2
    Evaluate the effect of taxes and other factors on income.

  • SST-HS.E.07.3 
    Develop short- and long-term financial goals.
  • SST-HS.E.07.4 
    Analyze the cost and benefits of different types of credit and debt; and the rights and responsibilities of borrowers.
  • SST-HS.E.07.5
    Develop strategies to avoid and manage debt effectively.

SST-HS.G Geography Domain

SST-MS.G.01 Describe the physical processes that shape the Earth’s surface and how these affect the lives of people who live there.
  • SST-HS.G.01.1
    Describe the physical processes that shape the Earth’s surface.
  • SST-HS.G.01.2
    Explain the factors that cause different types of climates and ecosystems, and their latitudes/locations.
  • SST-HS.G.01.3
    Identify how major ecosystems provide raw materials.
  • SST-HS.G.01.4
    Analyze the physical and human characteristics of a place.
  • SST-HS.G.01.5
    Describe how combinations of human decisions and natural forces can lead to (or help people avoid) a natural disaster.
SST-HS.G.02 Analyze the movement of people, goods, ideas, technology, etc. throughout the world.
  • SST-HS.G.02.1 
    Explain how movement of goods, information, and population are affected by technology.
  • SST-HS.G.02.1 
    Describe patterns of settlement and explain why people settle where they do and how they make their living.
  • SST-HS.G.02.1 
    Explain the patterns, causes, and consequences of major human migrations.
SST-HS.G.03 Analyze the unifying physical and human characteristics of a region and their formal and informal boundaries.
  • SST-HS.G.03.1
    Describe the differences and similarities among cultures around the world.
  • SST-HS.G.03.2
    Analyze the physical and human characteristics of a region.
  • SST-HS.G.03.3
    Interpret how culture and experience influence people’s perception of places and regions.
  • SST-HS.G.03.4
    Identify factors that contribute to conflict and cooperation between cultural groups from multiple perspectives.
SST-HS.G.04 Use geographic tools to locate both the absolute and relative location of places and regions around the world.
  • SST-HS.G.04.1 
    Explain and use a variety of geographic tools to study the world on global, regional, and local scales and draw conclusions.
  • SST-HS.G.04.2 
    Apply the skills of geographic inquiry to analyze a geographic problem or issue.
SST-HS.G.05 Analyze how human beings are dependent upon, adapt to, and modify their environment to meet their needs.
  • SST-HS.G.05.1 
    Explain how people have modified the environment and used technology to make places more suitable for humans.
  • SST-HS.G.05.2 
    Analyze how human changes to the environment in one region or place can affect another.

SST-HS.H High School History Domain


SST-HS.WH World History History

SST-HS.WH_a World History Anchor Domain
  • SST-HS.WH_a.01 Analyze primary and secondary sources with attention to reliability, impact, and purpose.
  • SST-HS.WH_a.02 Examine the impact of multiple perspectives on social, political, and cultural development.
  • SST-HS.WH_a.03 Explain the relationship of events focusing on the link(s) between cause and effect.
  • SST-HS.WH_a.04 Compare how historical elements change over time.
  • SST-HS.WH_a.05 Analyze the significant contributions of people and policy, and the influence on an era.
  • SST-HS.WH_a.06 Connect the past to the present using current events.
SST-HS.WH_e1.b Era 1: Emergence of Civilizations and Religions Around the Globe.
  • SST-HS.WH_e1.b1 Explain multiple achievements of civilizations and connect them to the present.
  • SST-HS.WH_e1.b2 Describe the belief systems or religions of early civilizations.
  • SST-HS.WH_e1.b3 Explain the impact of the development of agriculture on the social, cultural, and economic lives of individuals.
  • SST-HS.WH_e1.b4 Explain how political systems impacted the people in Greece and Rome and how those political systems connect to the present.
SST-HS.WH_e2.b Era 2: Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
  • SST-HS.WH_e2.b1 Explain the causes and effects of Medieval social structures using primary and secondary sources.
  • SST-HS.WH_e2.b2 Explain how the relationship between religious and political bodies impacted the social, cultural, or economic developments of individuals.
  • SST-HS.WH_e2.b3 Explain the emergence of cultural interaction between Europe and other civilizations..
SST-HS.WH_e3.b Era 3: Age of Revolutions.
  • SST-HS.WH_e3.b1 Explain the causes and global effects of religious division.
  • SST-HS.WH_e3.b2 Explain the global connections developed during this era because of exploration.
  • SST-HS.WH_e3.b3 Examine and explain the influence of revolutions on social and political aspects of individuals' lives.
  • SST-HS.WH_e3.b4 Explain advancements related to science and technology and the global impact of these advancements..
SST-HS.WH_e4.b Era 4: Age of Global War and Globalization.
  • SST-HS.WH_e4.b1 Analyze the causes and global effects of the world wars.
  • SST-HS.WH_e4.b2 Explain how political or social ideologies shaped the 20th century.
  • SST-HS.WH_e4.b3 Explain the social, cultural, or economic changes influenced by globalization..

SST-HS.US United States History

SST-HS.US_a US History Anchor Domain
  • SST-HS.US_a.01 Analyze primary and secondary sources with attention to reliability, impact, and purpose.
  • SST-HS.US_a.02 Examine the impact of multiple perspectives on social, political, and cultural development.
  • SST-HS.US_a.03 Explain the relationship of events focusing on the link(s) between cause and effect.
  • SST-HS.US_a.04 Compare how historical elements change over time.
  • SST-HS.US_a.05 Analyze the significant contributions of people and policy, and the influence on an era.
  • SST-HS.US_a.06 Connect the past to the present using current events.
SST-HS.US_e3.b (1877-1941) Era3:
  • SST-HS.US_e3.b1 - Explain the causes and consequences of the Industrial Revolution on American society.
  • SST-HS.US_e3.b2 - Explain the social, cultural, and economic impact of local, state, and federal government policy on American people.
  • SST-HS.US_e3.b3 - Explain the impact of the United States’ transformation into an imperialist power.
  • SST-HS.US_e3.b4 - Explain the causes and effects of the United States’ entrance into World War I.
  • SST-HS.US_e3.b5 - Explain the political, social and economic changes of the 1920s.
  • SST-HS.US_e3.b6 - Explain the political, social and economic events of the 1930s.
SST-HS.US_e4.b (1941-2001) Era 4:
  • SST-HS.US_e4.b1 - Explain the causes and consequences of U.S. involvement in World War II.
  • SST-HS.US_e4.b2 - Explain the economic and/or social issues of the era and their long-lasting effects.
  • SST-HS.US_e4.b3 - Explain the United States' reactions toward the growth of communism.
  • SST-HS.US_e4.b4 - Explain the impact of rapid technological change on society.
  • SST-HS.US_e4.b5 - Compare and contrast how different groups competed for equality and the effectiveness of various movements.
  • SST-HS.US_e4.b6 - Identify and explain how domestic issues changed United States' perceptions of government.
SST-HS.US_e5.b (2001 - Present) Era 5:
  • SST-HS.US_e5.b1 - Connect the changing political and social climate to United States' involvement as a global superpower.
  • SST-HS.US_e5.b2 - Explain the social, cultural, and economic impact of changes because of technology.
  • SST-HS.US_e5.b3 - Explain the social, political, and cultural influences on government policies regarding global immigration.

SST-HS.ND North Dakota History

SST-HS.ND.01 Examine the physical and human geography of North Dakota and how it has changed.
  • SST-HS.ND.01.1 Identify the three landscape regions of North Dakota and describe the major features of the regions and the forces that formed them.
  • SST-HS.ND.01.2 Explain the human settlement patterns in North Dakota.
  • SST-HS.ND.01.3 Interpret current thematic maps to identify where people live and work, and how land is used.
SST-HS.ND.02 Explain the development and functions of North Dakota’s state and local governments, tribal governments and the role of citizens.
  • SST-HS.ND.02.1 Describe the structure, role, and formation of tribal governments, both present and past, in North Dakota.
  • SST-HS.ND.02.2 Describe the formation, structure, and modern role of the territorial, state, county, and local government of North Dakota.
  • SST-HS.ND.02.3 Explain the impact of political organizations and individual citizens on the political systems and institutions of North Dakota.
SST-HS.ND.03 Evaluate the major industries and economic activities in North Dakota.
  • SST-HS.ND.03.1 Describe the early economic activities of our state prior to 1900 and how they developed into North Dakota's modern economy.
  • SST-HS.ND.03.2 Identify the current economic activities in the state of North Dakota and evaluate their positive and negative impact.
SST-HS.ND.04 Analyze the historical and current events and their impact on the development of North Dakota.
  • SST-HS.ND.04.1 Identify the Native American groups in North Dakota before European contact and describe their culture.
  • SST-HS.ND.04.2 Analyze European exploration and early settlement of North Dakota and its impact on Native American groups.
  • SST-HS.ND.04.3 Describe the major factors that brought settlers to North Dakota.
  • SST-HS.ND.04.4 Analyze the effect of government policy, both historical and modern, toward Native American groups in North Dakota.
  • SST-HS.ND.04.5 Evaluate the growth and struggles of the modernization of North Dakota and the role the state has played in modern America.
  • SST-HS.ND.04.6 Use various primary and secondary resources to acquire, analyze, and evaluate information.