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Social Studies
News & Announcements
National Constitution Day Mock Trials for 3rd Graders!
The annual Constitution Day mock trial event is a great way to enrich social studies instruction in your classroom. Judge Robert J. Wonnell of the Kansas 10th Judicial District Court in Olathe, Kansas began this program with third graders at Forest View Elementary School over 10 years ago.
Students make connections with the third grade social studies content by learning about their community and the civic duties that people perform, such as following the law, showing respect for others, and serving on a jury. By participating in the mock trial, students learn about the court system, the branches of government, and the Constitution of the United States!
As students listen to the evidence presented during the mock trial, each classroom functions as a jury that weighs the evidence and deliberates the facts to reach a verdict that is submitted to the Judge in real time. Students learn at the end of the event what the collective jury from across the nation decides — guilty or not guilty! Judge Wonnell will conclude the event with Q & A time.
The Sand Creek Massacre Inquiry Kits
The Sand Creek Massacre Foundation is pleased to announce that Inquiry Kits (thematic sets of high-quality primary and secondary sources) about the massacre are now available for educators on their website.
America 250 / Colorado 150
The America 250 / Colorado 150 Commission is dedicated to honoring the diverse experiences of all who have called Colorado home, recognizing that our state’s history is intricately woven into the broader American story. As the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, Colorado will simultaneously commemorate its 150th anniversary of statehood, marking a historic and uniquely unified celebration.
Colorado’s anniversaries will be an opportunity for every Coloradan to come together as we:
- Celebrate Colorado by acknowledging our complete history
- Honor what makes Colorado unique
- Embrace our shared destiny as we strive toward a more perfect union
There are numerous opportunities to get involved!
- Join your local organizing committee! For more information: Get Involved
- Visit the America 250 / Colorado 150 website for more ways to be part of something big!
Academic Standards
Preparing students for the 21st century cannot be accomplished without a strong and sustaining emphasis on the social studies. The social studies provide cornerstone skills that are the key to opening doors for a more diverse, competitive workforce and responsible citizenry.
Curriculum Support
Article IX, Section 16 of Colorado's constitution states, "Neither the general assembly nor the state board of education shall have power to prescribe textbooks to be used in the public schools." However, CDE can still serve as an advisor to help districts and schools adopt, adapt, develop, or use the materials of their choice.
- The 1192 Resource Bank
- 15 VOLUNTARY Annotated Resource Sets for Teaching About the Historic and Civic Contributions of the LGBTQ community.
- A Holocaust and Genocide Implementation Guide
- The Holocaust and Genocide Education Resource Bank
- Nine Sample Lessons for Secondary Teachers to Teach About the Colorado Constitution!
- Nuu~ciu Strong: A Colorado Fourth Grade Resource
- Guide, Lessons About the Ute People of Colorado.
- Nuchiu Strong: A Kindergarten - First Grade Resource Guide
- Elementary Primary Source Sets
- Social Studies Online Resource Bank
- Disciplinary Literacy in Social Studies
Instructional Support
Instructional support is grounded in CDE's shared approach to Best, First Instruction as well as practices and strategies supported by professional organizations and scholars at the leading edge of social studies education.
- High Impact Instructional Strategies in the Social Studies: This document outlines research based, high impact instructional strategies for the social studies.
- Social Studies Lesson Planning for Learning and Reflection A sampling of lesson planning processes and ideas developed by teachers as part of the District Sample Curriculum Project.
- High Impact Instructional Strategies for the Social Studies Classroom Modules: These modules represent a few high impact instructional strategies for the social studies classroom. While there are numerous teaching strategies for effective social studies instruction, the research on high-impact instruction in social studies (in terms of a positive impact on student learning) focuses primarily in two areas: historical thinking, and civic knowledge and skills for citizenship.
Community
There are many opportunities to connect and grow as a professional educator with the larger Social Studies education community.
Social Studies Information
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The Gilder Lehrman National History Teacher of the Year Award The National History Teacher of the Year Award recognizes outstanding K–12 American history teachers across the country. The 2026 award & honors outstanding elementary or secondary school teachers. Nominate a teacher today!
- Social Studies Instruction and Reading Comprehension: Evidence from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study A new study finds that social studies instruction in elementary school improves student's reading scores! Here are the 2 key points from the study:
- Increased instructional time in social studies—but not in ELA—is associated with improved reading ability.
- The students who benefit the most from additional social studies time are girls and those from lower-income and/or non-English-speaking homes.
- Civics as a Graduation Requirement In 2004, the Colorado State Legislature passed a bill requiring all high school students to pass a course in civics. This is the only state graduation requirement. Specifically, the law states, "Satisfactory completion of a course on the civil government of the United States and the state of Colorado ... shall be a condition of high school graduation in the public schools of this state. Here is the full text of the law: CRS. 22-1-104.