Social Studies Department at Curriculum Carousel 2009

Welcome to the South Miami Senior High Social Studies Department Homepage.

The Social Studies curriculum at South Miami Senior High is designed to meet the needs of a diversified population. The department offers Advanced Placement and Honors courses in grades nine through twelve. A wide variety of electives are offered, including Law Studies and Psychology. The Social Studies Department fulfills the needs of the students to develop critical thinking in Social Science classes. Geographic, economic, political, environmental and technological knowledge are all key elements in the Social Studies classroom. The department believes a curriculum which imparts this knowledge is the catalyst for preparing students for the 21st century.

Links

The News (PBS)
the.News is a place for teens to find out about people, places and things close to home and around the world. Watch the videos, and follow the links for more information.


a good source for online content related to current events.


United States Library of Congress features a great number of online resources, including the American Memory project.

World History Textbook Online
Writing About History - A good intro for how to write a paper in the field of history and the differences between primary and secondary resources (University of Toronto)

 

Department News

  • Dr. Keith Astuto of South Miami Senior High received Special Recognition from the Miami-Dade County School Board at its July meeting. Dr. Marta Pérez presented the award to commemorate Dr. Astuto’s first place finish in the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s 2009 Lesson Plan of the Year competition. The contest evaluates teachers from six different states in the southeastern U.S. served by the Atlanta FRB. Principal Gilberto Bonce was also present for the honor.
    School Board Member Dr. Marta Pérez (left) presents a special recognition award to South Miami High Social Studies teacher Dr. Keith Astuto as school principal Gilberto Bonce looks on.
    Dr. Keith Astuto addresses the Miami-Dade School Board, alongside board member Dr. Marta Pérez (partially obscured) and South Miami High principal Gilberto Bonce.
  • Three Cobra scholars were among the four-dozen high school students from Miami-Dade County to participate in the Summer Institute for National Security Studies at Florida International University this summer. Seniors Dalny Ruel, Osman Lopez, and ascending senior Juan Acosta took part in a simulated energy policy negotiation among government and industry groups in Brazil. Accompanied by Dr. Keith Astuto of the Social Studies department, the students reviewed governmental organization, conventional & alternative energy technologies, and data maps of Brazil’s natural resources. During the final negotiation session, Dr. Astuto portrayed Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to give the session an added dose of realism.

    FIU is planning two simulation activities this school year in preparation for the 2010 Summer Institute, so be on the lookout for announcements about them each semester.

    Dr. Keith Astuto, in the role of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, addresses the final negotiation session of FIU’s Summer Institute for National Security Studies.
    Lead negotiators from the final session, including Cobra senior Juan Acosta (center), pose with Dr. Keith Astuto (standing) at FIU’s Summer Institute for National Security Studies.
  • Please join the Social Studies Department in congratulating the following students and teachers who were honored at a luncheon at Bonaventure Country Club in Weston, Tuesday, May 19, for winning the Florida Stock Market Game and the Invest Write Competitions.
    • Christina Garcia- Alario (Invest Write Winner - 2008 1st Place State Winner/7th Place National Winner)
      • Teacher: Mary A. Galeri
    • Saranhais Zerpa (Invest Write Essay Contest- Spring, 2009 First Place State Winner)
      • Teacher: Keith Astuto
    • Chris Rascon, Sara Rojas, Julio Sanchez, Ashley Simpson, Noland Torres, and Esmee Vera (Stock Market Game - Spring 2009 1st Place District Winner/3rd Place State Winner)
      • Teacher: Patricia Coyle