Navigate Texas
A student-centered approach to middle school social studies in Texas
Engage Students in Meaningful Learning
Navigate Texas encourages learners to ask questions, investigate real-world issues, and engage in meaningful experiences. The result: History, geography, civics, economics, and culture that’s relevant to them!
Much More than Learning
Navigate Texas is all about student curiosity, discovery, and connection. Through interactive tools, diverse perspectives, and real-world applications, students:
- Build analysis, critical thinking, and collaboration skills.
- Understand the skills of the social studies discipline.
- Develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.
- Take action in ways that matter to grow into informed, active citizens.
Taking Ownership
The program empowers students to take ownership of their learning in a number of ways.
- Tier 1 Lessons give students opportunities to communicate and act on their new learning through Show What You Know.
- Active Learning Lessons invite students to build 21st century skills: collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity.
- The Video Library allows students to dig deeper into content at their own pace and in line with their interests and needs.
- Skill Builder Chats help students be ready for social studies by walking them through the skills of the discipline.
A Holistic Approach
The program is designed to support all learners at every stage of their learning. The ultimate goal is student mastery for all.
- Student mastery is checked at the end of Tier 1 Lessons through authentic writing exercises.
- Targeted support through Review and Reteach Lessons improves students’ vocabulary, content knowledge, and subject skills.
- Extended learning is delivered using Active Learning Lessons, which incorporate engaging activities such as simulations.
Contemporary World Cultures
Grade 6 students examine people, places, and societies of the contemporary world. Students use reading, writing, and discourse as they explore the geographic, economic, social, and political characteristics and concepts related to the regions of the world.
The course was developed through the lens of decision-making questions. Throughout each unit, students interact with a specific question to acquire new information, consider options, and arrive at their own decisions.
Grade 6 Topics
Unit 1: Introduction to Physical Geography
Unit 2: Introduction to Human Geography
Unit 3: Government and Economic Systems
Unit 4: The United States and Canada
Unit 5: Latin America
Unit 6: Europe
Unit 7: Russia and the Eurasian Republics
Unit 8: Southwest Asia and North Africa
Unit 9: Sub-Saharan Africa
Unit 10: South Asia
Unit 11: East and Southeast Asia
Unit 12: Australia and Oceania
Texas History
Grade 7 students examine Texas history, beginning with the natural Texas environment through contemporary Texas. Students use reading, writing, and discourse as they explore key concepts, events, and people related to Texas history.
The course was developed through the lens of decision-making questions. Throughout each unit, students interact with a specific question to acquire new information, consider options, and arrive at their own decisions.
Grade 7 Topics
Unit 1: Natural Texas: Physical and Human Geography
Unit 2: Exploration and Early Colonization
Unit 3: Mexican National Era: Colonization and the Empresario System
Unit 4: Texas Revolution
Unit 5: The Republic of Texas and Early Statehood
Unit 6: Civil War and Reconstruction
Unit 7: Texas Government
Unit 8: Cotton, Cattle, Railroads and Westward Expansion
Unit 9: Age of Oil
Unit 10: The Great Depression and WWII
Unit 11: Civil Rights and Conservatism
Unit 12: Contemporary Texas
U.S. History to 1877
Grade 8 students examine U.S. history, beginning with the early Colonial period through Reconstruction. Students use reading, writing, and discourse as they explore key concepts and events related to early U.S. history.
The course was developed through the lens of decision-making questions. Throughout each unit, students interact with a specific question to acquire new information, consider options, and arrive at their own decisions.
Grade 8 Topics
Unit 1: The Meeting of Cultures
Unit 2: The Thirteen Colonies
Unit 3: The Revolutionary Era
Unit 4: Establishing a New Government
Unit 5: The Constitution and Bill of Rights
Unit 6: The Early Republic
Unit 7: Age of Jackson
Unit 8: Westward Expansion and Industrialization
Unit 9: A Changing Society
Unit 10: The Road to War
Unit 11: The Civil War
Unit 12: Reconstruction