Common Planner
K–12 Standards

Contemporary Issues

Other Tennessee Social Studies sets

Social Studies Practices

  • 1

    Collect data and information from a variety of primary and secondary sources, including:SSP.01

    1. 1

      Printed materialsSSP.01.1

    2. 2

      Graphic representationsSSP.01.2

    3. 3

      Field observations/Landscape analysisSSP.01.3

    4. 4

      ArtifactsSSP.01.4

    5. 5

      Media and technology sourcesSSP.01.5

    6. 6

      Oral HistorySSP.01.6

  • 2

    Critically examine a primary or secondary source in order to:SSP.02

    1. 1

      Extract, summarize, and paraphrase significant ideas and relevant informationSSP.02.1

    2. 2

      Discern differences between evidence and assertionSSP.02.2

    3. 3

      Recognize the significance of author’s purpose, point of view, and biasSSP.02.3

    4. 4

      Draw logical inferences and conclusionsSSP.02.4

    5. 5

      Assess the strengths and limitations of argumentsSSP.02.5

  • 3

    Synthesize data from a variety of sources in order to:SSP.03

    1. 1

      Establish accuracy and validity by comparing sources to each otherSSP.03.1

    2. 2

      Recognize disparities among multiple accountsSSP.03.2

    3. 3

      Frame appropriate questions for further investigationSSP.03.3

  • 4

    Construct and communicate arguments by citing supporting evidence to:SSP.04

    1. 1

      Demonstrate and defend an understanding of ideasSSP.04.1

    2. 2

      Compare and contrast viewpointsSSP.04.2

    3. 3

      Illustrate cause and effectSSP.04.3

    4. 4

      Predict likely outcomesSSP.04.4

    5. 5

      Devise new outcomes or solutionsSSP.04.5

    6. 6

      Engage in appropriate civic discourseSSP.04.6

  • 5

    Develop historical awareness by:SSP.05

    1. 1

      Recognizing how and why historical accounts change over timeSSP.05.1

    2. 2

      Perceiving and presenting past events and issues as they might have been experienced by the people of the time, with historical empathy vs. present- mindednessSSP.05.2

    3. 3

      Evaluating how unique circumstances of time and place create context and contribute to action and reactionSSP.05.3

    4. 4

      Identifying patterns of continuity and change over time, making connections to the presentSSP.05.4

  • 6

    Develop geographic awareness by:SSP.06

    1. 1

      Analyzing and determining the use of diverse types of maps based on the origin, authority, structure, context, and validitySSP.06.1

    2. 2

      Using the geographic perspective to analyze relationships, patterns, and diffusion across space at multiple scalesSSP.06.2

    3. 3

      Analyzing locations, conditions, and connections of places and using maps to investigate spatial associations among phenomenaSSP.06.3

    4. 4

      Examining how geographers use regions and how perceptions of regions are fluid across time and spaceSSP.06.4

    5. 5

      Analyzing interaction between humans and the physical environmentSSP.06.5

Source Analysis Skills: Students will analyze a variety of news sources to demonstrate an understanding of the responsibility of informed citizenship in the age of digital media.

  • 1

    Understand the importance of being well-informed and engaged, including identifying problems or dilemmas, proposing appropriate solutions, formulating action plans, and assessing the positive and negative results of actions taken.CI.01

  • 2

    Identify markers of verification, transparency, accountability, and independence in a news story.CI.02

  • 3

    Use a variety of methods to verify both written and visual information. CI.03

  • 4

    Distinguish between opinion and news, and examine for effective arguments and logical and/or illogical reasoning.CI.04

  • 5

    Evaluate the reliability of an anonymous source.CI.05

  • 6

    Compare and contrast varying viewpoints, perspectives, and sources on contemporary issues.CI.06

Geography and Environment: Students will see, understand, and appreciate the web of relationships between people, places, and environments using the knowledge, skills, and concepts within the five themes of geography.

  • 7

    Describe key geographic concepts, such as scale, pattern, sustainability, diffusion, and connectivity.CI.07

  • 8

    Describe how changing physical and human characteristics of a place can influence culture, economics, and politics at the local, national, and global level. CI.08

  • 9

    Examine key features of major world regions, and explain how current issues link or divide those regions.CI.09

  • 10

    Analyze how countries are interconnected in the modern world (e.g., improved transportation, communication technology, migration, trade, commodity chains, and multinational organizations).CI.10

  • 11

    Discuss the immediate and lasting impact of human-environment interactions on places and peoplesCI.11

Historical Impacts: Students will explore how historical events continue to have an impact on the contemporary world.

  • 12

    Distinguish between historical facts and historical interpretation.CI.12

  • 13

    Describe the relationships between past and current conflicts, including wars, domestic and global acts of terrorism, and other acts of violence.CI.13

  • 14

    Describe the relationship between historical events and the contemporary world, and analyze the lasting impacts of these events.CI.14

Politics: Students will analyze and explain how the U.S. government interacts with its citizens and the global community.

  • 15

    Examine the events that unify or challenge state sovereignty and stability (e.g., terrorism, independence movements, internal political/cultural conflict).CI.15

  • 16

    Describe the patterns of stability and change within political governance (e.g., elections, nullification, political representation, societal movements).CI.16

  • 17

    Discuss the evolving role of the United States in international affairs and the impact of current events on American policy.CI.17

Culture and Innovation: Students will explore the similarities and differences among people, including their beliefs, values, and traditions.

  • 18

    Define culture and compare the concepts of popular culture and local culture.CI.18

  • 19

    Examine the diffusion and impact of popular culture on local culture, as well as efforts to preserve local culture.CI.19

  • 20

    Analyze how the diffusion of culture, language, and religion play a role in contemporary issues.CI.20

  • 21

    Describe the effects of scientific, technological, and medical innovations in society.CI.21

  • 22

    Analyze the changing role of media and technology on the spread of information and the effects of global culture.CI.22

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, and Grade 12
Where can I read the official document?
Tennessee Social Studies Standards

Keep exploring

Keep exploring Social Studies standards

Sibling grade bands, other subjects in this jurisdiction, and the same subject across other states.