K-12 Social Studies

Contact Teaching and Learning Center

 Address: 505 S. Main Street, Suite 400, Las Cruces, NM 88001

 Phone: (575) 527-6054

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Content Information

Our Mission Statement

The mission of the Las Cruces Public Schools Social Studies Program is to promote civic competence. According to the National Council for Social Studies, “the primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.” Through access to high quality standards-based curriculum, the culturally and linguistically relevant social studies classroom environment explores the complexity of human experience through problem-solving and analytical discourse promoting authentic and skill-based learning. Las Cruces Public School teachers utilize research-based and proven pedagogical practices that focus on inquiry and historical thinking to embolden civic-minded and culturally literate members of society. 

Services Offered: 

  • Support and Coordinate Curriculum Focused Activities 

  • Professional Development 

  • Direct Teacher Support 

  • LMS Support 

  • Curriculum Adoption & Material Management 

  • Support District-Level School-Community Partnerships 


State and National Standards 

National Standards 

Common Core for Social Studies Reading and Writing 

K-4 State Standards 

5-8 State Standards 

9-12 State Standards 

Instructional Guides 

K-5 Instructional Guides 

6-8 Instructional Guides 

9-12 Instructional Guides 

Adapted Materials K-12 

Elementary  

K-5 Adopted Textbook Materials 

Middle School  

6th and 8th Grade Adopted Textbook Materials 

7th Grade Adopted Textbook Materials 

High School  

World History and Geography, Student Edition 2018 

United States History & Geography: Modern Times © 2018 

United States Government: Our Democracy, Student Edition 2018 

 District Initiative:  

DBQ Project https://www.dbqproject.com/ 

Accelerated learning in Social Studies will focus on the practice and refinement of historical thinking. Students will engage in historical inquiry to consider compelling questions and write arguments or informational text based on the evidence presented. In order for students to answer these questions they will need to employ skills such as sourcing, contextualizing, corroborating and close reading. This practice is supported and outlined in the C3 Framework presented by the National Council for Social Studies.  

Las Cruces Public Schools has purchased the DBQ Project and will be providing professional development to support accelerated learning K-12. 

Elementary Social Studies

Secondary Social Studies

Jamie Patterson

Jamie Patterson

K-12 Social Studies Content Specialist

Jamie Patterson, originally from Silver City, New Mexico started her career in education in 2005. She received her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education Social Studies, as well as a master’s degree in Curriculum Instruction and Learning Technologies from New Mexico State University. She loves all things social studies related, including building curriculum and classroom activities, implementing new learning strategies, and discussing history with teachers and students. Her goal is to help students gain a better understanding of the world around them to strengthen the community for a better tomorrow. On a personal level she enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with my family. 

Leah Pearson

Leah Pearson

K-8 Social Studies Content Specialist

I started my professional career as a teacher in 1997. I was an educational assistant for a year in 1990. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and special education. I also have a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership. The favorite part of my job is to go into schools and work with students and teachers on social studies content and activities. I have a beautiful, supporting family (my husband, two daughters, three dogs and a cat). I love to read (anything about history) and work out in my yard.