The Social Studies PBAT
Consortium teachers do not impart content and wisdom which students absorb - rather, they encourage curiosity and independent thought.
The Consortium’s PBAT in Social Studies requires students to develop an argument about a debatable topic and support it with evidence from primary and secondary sources.
Consortium teachers of Social Studies do not impart content and wisdom which students absorb - rather, they encourage curiosity and independent thought, helping students raise questions and explore the myriad complex answers to them.
Students are expected to engage with their peers in class discussions in order to hone their ideas and build skills at persuasion and civil discourse. In this way, Consortium social studies classes include the skills necessary to be an active citizen.
Students demonstrate their mastery of these skills through their written PBAT, as well as through their presentation to a panel of the topic they have chosen to explore.
The social studies rubric has been designed by Consortium teachers. It has been revised several times in order to reflect the standards we value as social studies teachers and to best meet individual student goals. We are currently in the middle of the rubric revision process once again - and we hope to have the new rubric completed this fall or winter.
Social Studies Instruction & Interim Assessments in Consortium Schools
Interim Assessments, implemented in each social studies class a student takes, provide the practice and discipline our students need to reach the level of high competency described by the Social Studies rubric.
As the Social Studies PBAT asks students to develop a thesis answering a debatable question and support it with evidence, interim assessments in the discipline should demonstrate a student’s progress in building those skills. While the PBAT itself must be in the form of a persuasive piece of writing, interim assessments may be more varied in their form (although writing should be central to the projects).
Curriculum Designed by Consortium Teachers
Examples of Consortium Student’s Social Studies PBAT Work
Outstanding/Good: “Why Did the Civil Rights Movement Happen When It Did?”
Competent: “Nat Turner’s Rebellion”