FINAL+Philosophy

=MISSION = Shanghai American School, in partnership with parents, fosters the development of each student's personal potential through a balance of the academic, physical, social, emotional and ethical aspects of life. SAS provides a challenging American core curriculum with an international perspective that inspires a passion for learning and intellectual vitality. =SOCIAL STUDIES PHILOSOPHY= Social studies instruction at Shanghai American School recognizes all students as lifelong learners and responsible citizens who engage their talents and abilities in our global community. Social studies instruction will provide active learning experiences integrating the skills, analysis and research necessary for all students to inquire, problem-solve, and make informed decisions in school, personal, and civic settings. The social studies at SAS will provide the tools required for students to construct an understanding of the human condition.

=Essential Conditions = For effective learning in the Social Studies and Social Sciences at Shanghai American School students must have consistent access to 21st century learning and instruction that:
 * Provides qualitatively unique experiences that reflect the development of critical thinking skills through the teaching and exploration of the Social Studies and Sciences that adapted to student's needs for constructing meaning.
 * Encourages the intellectual risk-taking essential for deep, enduring understandings of the Social Studies and Sciences within a classroom culture and atmosphere of mutual respect.
 * Fosters cultural understanding and connections which fosters respectful curiosity and appreciation of the contributions of diverse civilizations and cultures.
 * Affords students an opportunity to "construct" their own unique meaning of the social sciences within a defined framework, with focus given to uncovering patterns, trends, and various points of view.
 * Reflects a codified curriculum that is also, fluid, flexible, and meaningfully integrated with technological resources.
 * Uncovers new thinking about the social sciences.
 * Embraces social inquiry and fosters the importance of being a civic-minded, contributing member of a global society.
 * Prepares students to discern, interpret, analyze and utilize the vast information available in an increasingly wired, technological world.
 * Empowers students with the intellectual inquiry and life-long learning skills (Research, critical thinking and current affairs focus) needed to guide participation and action in a diverse human ecosystem.

 =**Essential Teaching Agreements **=

SAS Educators of the Social Studies and Social Sciences will…

1. Create student assessments and activities that demonstrate critical, creative, and ethical thinking. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. Provide frequent opportunities for students to communicate ideas and understandings in writing. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. Assess student skills and understandings using at least one cornerstone assessment per semester or trimester within each grade level or course. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. Plan collaboratively across and transcending grade levels <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">5. Align instruction with SAS adopted Standard and Benchmarks at the appropriate grade level. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">6. Provide students with plentiful opportunities to make authentic connections to the world around them. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">7. Integrate media and informational literacy targeted toward proficiency in methods of inquiry, analyzing, organizing, and using data into planning and instruction <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">8. Incorporate a variety of primary and secondary resources, which accommodate a wide range of interests and reading abilities. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">9. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Integrate current and valid social science concepts, principles, and theories with the broader curriculum (art, music, P.E., global languages, etc)