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Overview

The Paulding County School District K–12 Social Studies Program, within the Teaching and Learning Department, is dedicated to developing students who are knowledgeable, thoughtful, and active participants in their communities, nation, and world. Our program ensures that all students are literate and well-versed in history, geography, government, and economics, preparing them to be informed citizens and critical thinkers in the 21st century.

Through hands-on, engaging, and rigorous curriculum, students explore the past and present to understand how people, places, and events shape society. Social Studies instruction helps students connect what they learn in school to the real world—building the knowledge and skills necessary for responsible citizenship, college readiness, and career success.

Program Goals

The Social Studies program in Paulding County is designed to:

  • Develop historical thinking skills through analysis of primary and secondary sources.

  • Build geographic awareness and understanding of the relationships between people and their environments.

  • Foster an understanding of civic responsibility and the structure and function of government.

  • Encourage economic literacy through exploration of personal finance, entrepreneurship, and global markets.

  • Promote critical and creative thinking through inquiry-based learning and evidence-based argumentation.

  • Cultivate respect for diverse perspectives and cultural understanding.

By engaging students in these practices, the program empowers them to examine the world from multiple viewpoints and make informed decisions that contribute to their communities and society at large.

Curriculum and Standards

Social Studies instruction in Paulding County is aligned to the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) for Social Studies. The standards establish clear expectations for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level.

Instruction emphasizes:

  • Inquiry-based learning through questioning, research, and investigation.

  • Development of analytical and communication skills through reading, writing, and discussion.

  • Integration of technology and digital resources to explore primary sources, maps, and historical documents.

  • Opportunities for project-based learning, debates, simulations, and community-based experiences.

Assessment and Civic Engagement

Students are assessed through a combination of classroom-based tasks, performance assessments, and standardized measures aligned to state expectations.
In addition to academic learning, the Social Studies program promotes civic engagement and service learning, encouraging students to apply their knowledge and skills to make a positive difference in their schools and communities.