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Author: Dessie Olson

Published on

Date:                   October 3, 2025

To:                        Middle & High School Administrators

From:                 Dessie Olson, Social Studies Specialist

                                Adam Eskelson, Director, Social Studies

Subject:          Social Studies Curriculum Maps

Summary:

7-12 Social Studies Core Curriculum Maps are in the District Document Center in Teaching and Learning/Social Studies. Core social studies courses include World Geography, World History, U.S. History II, and United States Government & Citizenship. Significant information follows:

  • Social studies curriculum maps are not pacing guides, but maps that unpack the Utah Social Studies Standards to support classroom instruction.
  • The introduction pages of the curriculum map provide further details about the different features of the map and how they can support instruction.
  • Curriculum maps can be used in conjunction with our approved textbooks and primary source documents.

Rationale: 

Curriculum maps serve as the Guaranteed Viable Curriculum for social studie core content courses and can be used to support the work of PLCs.

Expectations for Implementation: 

  1. Communication
  1. Collaboration: 

Keywords: social studies, curriculum maps, world geography, world history, United States History, U.S. History, Unites States Government and Citizenship, 

Published on

To:             All Administrators

From:        Dessie Olson, Social Studies Specialist

Adam Eskelson, Director, Social Studies

                 Tiffany Hall, Executive Director, Teaching and Learning

Subject:    American Founders and Constitution Month

Summary:

In 2023 the Utah Legislature designated September as American Founders and Constitution Month. Significant information follows:

  • Communication from Ryan Bartlet, USBE Director of Strategic Communications:
    • What: Each September, Utah observes American Founders and Constitution Month—a time to reflect on the vision, courage, and principles that shaped our nation. This annual observance is an opportunity to help students connect the founding ideals of liberty, justice, and self-governance to their own lives and roles as citizens. As educators and leaders, we have the privilege of guiding them to see how the Constitution continues to influence our communities and the freedoms we enjoy today.
    • Whether through classroom discussions, school-wide events, or creative student projects, we invite you to join in making this a meaningful, memorable experience for your students.
  • Please read the supporting letter from Governor Cox
  • Resources provided by USBE are located in the DDC and teacher resources are found in the Social Studies for Teachers Resource Canvas.

Rationale: 

In response to 2023 HB 179 and shared at the request of USBE.

Expectations for Implementation: 

  1. Communication
  • Principals are responsible to share this information with students, partent, faculty, counselors, and others in the school community.
  1. Collaboration: 
  1. Evaluation
  • Successfully sharing the information with faculty and providing students with an opportunity to learn about the U.S. Constitution and American Founders.

Keywords: American Founders and Constitution Month, Civics, social studies, Constitution Day, HB179

Published on

Summary:

We have a new list of approved textbooks for 7-12 core social studies/history courses. When ordering textbook materials for social studies/history courses, please select from the approved list for the core classes:

  • Utah Studies
  • US History I
  • World Geography
  • World History
  • US History II
  • US Government & Citizenship. 

Expectations for Implementation: 

  1. Communication: 
  • The approved list of textbooks and the buy guides are located in the District Document Center under Teaching and Learning >> Social Studies. 
  • When ordering new textbook materials, teachers must select from the approved list. 
  • Depending on the available budget, teachers may choose from physical and/or digital materials. 
  • We recognize not all teachers will purchase materials. Purchasing social studies textbook materials is at the discretion of school administrator and/or teacher. 
  • For teachers using textbook materials as their main source of curriculum, it is important to update their materials within the school budgetary timeline for purchasing social studies materials. 
  • Schools purchase the materials. The T&L Department can help coordinate your order.
     
  1. Collaboration: 
  1. Timeline: 
  • August 20, 2025 through next adoption cycle (potentially 2032)

Keywords:  text books, social studies, history, approved materials, 7-12 

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