History and Social Studies

GCISD Social Studies Education A comprehensive social studies program spans from Kindergarten through twelfth grade. GCISD is one of the first districts in the state of Texas to require Social Studies at the nine-twelve grade levels. An Advanced Placement program is offered at both Grapevine High School and Colleyville Heritage High School. Enrichment classes such as PALS and Student Leadership are available for secondary students, as well as active Social Studies clubs which support student involvement in History Fair, Citizenship Bee, Geography Bee, Federal Reserve Economic Essay Contests and Multi-cultural Contests. TEKS - Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies were adopted in July of 1997. Training for the new TEKS will be in place during the current school term with implementation of the TEKS planned for the 1998-99 school term. Project ABCD, with revisions correlated to the TEKS, will remain the curriculum guide for GCISD Social Studies. New Textbook Adoption - The Harcourt Brace Social Studies textbook series Stories in Time was adopted K-6 for GCISD. Elementary educators will focus this year on textbook familiarity, identifying areas for support and refinements. In the spring of the 1997-98 school year, training in the use of support technology will be offered. Technology for each of the grades 1-6 has been received for use in computer labs. TAAS - The TAAS is administered in the 8th grade American History course as a prescriptive only. This year scores dropped significantly across the state owing to the changes in types of information tested. While GCISD scores fell five points, the district remains above regional and state mean scores. A seminar on TAAS teaching strategies for six-eighth grade instructors is planned for February 25. 1998. American History End-of-Course Exam - In the 1996-97 school term GCISD students participated in the pilot End-of-Course exam. Scores are not currently available. The End-of-Course exam will have its benchmark year in the upcoming 1997-98 school year and will be in place in the 1998-99 school year. Vertical Team - A Social Studies Vertical Team was put into place in January of 1997. The fourteen member team represents all Social Studies disciplines sixth-twelfth grades. The target date for a final product providing rigor, depth, and alignment of history - social science courses is the fall of the 1999 school year. Currently the team is ahead of schedule and will offer a product on skills in the spring of 1998.

Committees/Programs: Foreign Exchange Program: This program offers students around the world an opportunity to study in the United States, while offering GCISD students an opportunity to have an education enriched by interaction with citizens of other countries, including their customs, languages, religions, social structures and beliefs. The program ensures that only acceptable organizations participate with GCISD in the best interest of our schools, our students, our host families, and foreign students who take part. Multi-Cultural Advisory Council (MCAC): This committee furthers recognition of multi-cultural interests in our community, our district staff, and our schools. It also serves as a liaison for the foreign exchange program. Heritage Foundation: This community organization offers many educational opportunities for GCISD students. Architreasures - a contest for third grade students and community members which involves locating and identifying historic architecture. The contest is traditionally held in the spring, with winners announced at Main Street Days. Slide show of the development of the Grapevine/Colleyville area, as well as important community landmarks. Field trips (Old Downtown Grapevine and the Tarantula Train Station.) Integration into elementary curriculum; an inservice was conducted for third grade teachers in October. Currently, we are working with culture dolls at the second grade level and culture boxes at the third grade level.

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