Board approves revised Grade‑6 Social Studies (human geography) aligned to new state framework

Harford County’s board approved a revised Grade‑6 social studies curriculum on July 15 that reorganizes sixth‑ and seventh‑grade content into a two‑year human geography sequence aligned to Maryland’s updated framework.

Curriculum staff said the previous sixth‑ and seventh‑grade programs were taught inconsistently across the county and that the new approach spirals geographic thinking and inquiry skills across thematic case studies (movement, human systems, environment, place and region). Teachers explained that the change prioritizes inquiry, deliberation and source analysis and will give students repeated practice with geographic tools and civic skills across units.

The team acknowledged specific concerns raised by board members during earlier review — for example, stronger contextual materials for discussions about communism, clearer examples showing the positive impacts of market systems, and explicit guidance for teachers on how to handle controversial topics such as anthropogenic climate change. Staff committed to further edits, replacement of problem links and curated background resources; they also outlined PD, school‑embedded coaching and an evaluation plan that includes walkthroughs, teacher surveys and submission of student artifacts.

Board members who had not been able to access updated Canvas pages asked for a joint process to review materials without compromising student records; staff and the superintendent said the curriculum template will be finalized and viewable to board members once the writers finish the July edits. The board approved the revised Social Studies 6 scope and sequence on a recorded vote with several abstentions noted.

The district plans a staged rollout: Grade‑6 materials and PD will be implemented in the coming school year, with Grade‑7 changes phased in for the following year.