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Social Studies

Social Studies is important in the foundational development of leadership, character, and citizenship. Here at Advantage Academy, you are a leader, valued community member, and contributor. In the social studies classroom, students study citizenship, history, geography, economics, government, culture, technology, and society.

K-2: Curriculum centers on what it means to be a responsible member of your school, family, and community.

3-5: Students practice problem solving, decision making, and independent thinking skills.

6-12: Students will learn the importance of patriotism, the basic democratic values of our state and nation, and explore other cultures and societies around the world.

SOCIAL STUDIES HIGHLIGHTS

Leadership in the Classroom: Every student and every member of the Advantage Academy family has a role to play in leadership. In class, students will have the opportunity to volunteer and campaign for specific class jobs and tasks. Students will improve their communication skills, learn how to build and maintain trust, and manage conflict.

Character and Social Skills: We believe in providing the best learning opportunities to prepare students' mind, body, and spirit. In social studies, students will create a future vision board to showcase what being a Champion means to them. Students engage in daily conversations about specific character traits that align with the personal vision and talk about skills involving creativity, communication, collaboration, character, citizenship, and critical thinking, and problem-solving.

Citizenship and Service Learning: We prepare students to be productive, competent, and ethical leaders. Each week students evaluate personal citizenship, civic participation, and demonstration of habits and interpersonal skills. Students get involved in the local community through service-learning projects. 

Milestones in Academics: Each semester, students have a milestone project that is based on facts and concepts regarding American History and the Founding Fathers. Distinguished work is recognized with a certificate and medal.

SOCIAL STUDIES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

The Power of Why Character Program incorporates the study of character traits with an emphasis on moral values and beliefs. The program includes classroom discussion of character traits, followed by an at-home discussion of traits and values with family members and a student reflection. The purpose of the program is to build character, develop purpose, and motivate students by connecting classroom learning to the real world.

Students receive 16 Social Studies Weekly publications throughout the school year. Each newspaper edition contains easy to read, visual articles driven by guiding questions that challenge and engage students to explore civics and government, geography, economics, and history.

All students have the opportunity to have PenPals from other countries. In partnership with PenPal Schools, students will be able to communicate with another student in a different country. Students will be able to read, write, and create original projects online to share with their penpal in a safe, secure learning environment.

All sophomores have the opportunity to take Drive Through History course using David Barton’s resources from Wall Builders. In this course, students examine the American beliefs and its principles of citizenship that exemplify character, morals, and ethics. Students take a field trip to Aledo, Texas, to tour the WallBuilders’ Collection Museum.

DIVERSITY AND SENATE BILL 3

Advantage Academy is proud of our community diversity and our mission to prepare each student for the global society by meeting their unique needs - mind, body and spirit. Here at Advantage Academy we strive to improve school culture through the promotion of civic  and cultural competency in our teaching methods, our character and leadership curriculum,  and through our family engagement programs.

During the Second Special Session of the 87th Legislature, Senate Bill 3 (SB3) was passed which prohibits teachers from teaching one viewpoint of any topic that is considered controversial. Teachers must teach subjects in an objective manner free from political bias. Teachers are not permitted to use classrooms as their own political forums or their own political viewpoints and cannot state any favoritism for a political party, movement, or candidate.  Instead, teachers are expected to engage students in an open, objective, age-appropriate discussion about the sensitive portions of our nations’ history and highly controversial current events, without personal bias and without causing divisiveness among students.

Advantage Academy supports this bill and will actively participate in the development of the social studies curriculum. We are committed to training teachers on the appropriate ways to address topics of interest to improve class discussions and students’ understanding of said topics, as outlined by Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Our classrooms are a special place of healthy well rounded discussions of one's own personal family values and motivations with a strong understanding of the truth of America’s ideals, principles and its history, based on facts and not on theory.

As a school, we seek to work on building and nurturing a culturally and racially diverse community, anchored in intersectional justice and respect for all individuals, identities and differences.  We seek to provide educational equity for all students so that every child receives the education and services they need to reach their full potential, no matter their socioeconomic status, ability, race or gender.

Parents and community members can be reassured that their child will receive curriculum and instruction that develops their child’s civic knowledge, character and leadership with the appreciation of the importance and responsibility of participating in civic life. 

For more information about Senate Bill 3, click here.