Content Standards and Curriculum Guidance Documents

 

For questions about these standards and documents email opicsi@mt.gov
Return to the K-12 Content Standards home page.

 

Access the 2021 Montana content Standards for Social Studies (Satchel).

Access the 2021 Montana Content Standards for Social Studies (Official PDF).

Access the 2021 Montana Content Standards for Social Studies (Excel).

Webinar: New Standards for 2021: Overview and Planning for Implementation (February 8, 2021)

Model curriculum guides, professional development, and resources will be added as time allows.

Tech Directors: To access a machine readable version of the official Montana Content Standards for Social Studies, please visit the IMS Global CASE Network site.  Create a free login, select Montana Office of Public Instruction, and view or download the standards. The CASE version of the standards can be uploaded to student information systems, curriculum mapping programs, and a variety of other uses. Learn more about the CASE Network CASE Network FAQ

Of special interest to: Teachers interested in IEFA

Re: Short Films by Indigenous Filmmakers (with teaching guides)

 

The Big Sky Film Institute is once again partnering with the Montana Office of Public Instructions Indian Education Unit to share films made by and about Native people. According to their Facebook post in the Teaching Montana History Facebook group:

The 2023 season of the NFI Film Club [Native Filmmaker Initiative] presents "Celebrating Cultures & Honoring Traditional Practices," a triptych of films curated to engage Montana youth with unique and uplifting stories of Native and Indigenous individuals ... who are building strength through their communities and upholding traditional practices in the modern day. Our films are selected and ready for teacher registration, each one accompanied with an accompanied discussion guide, streaming link to view the film and an invitation to join our live filmmaker Q&A with film teams and OPI’s Indian Education Specialist, Mike Jetty.

Here's more from their website:

The Native Filmmaker Initiative Film Club is a virtual youth education outreach program that screens a curated selection of Indigenous-made documentary films in classrooms across Montana. Following the screenings, filmmakers visit classrooms virtually for a live Q&A and discussion activities rooted in Montana's Indian Education for All Essential Understandings. Film Club discussions are led by the Big Sky Film Institute in collaboration with Montana Office of Public Instruction’s Indian Education Specialists as well as participating filmmakers to talk in-depth about the process of filmmaking....

 

Running October through December, each Film Club event will focus on diverse Indigenous subjects and topics. Consult the discussion guides to help adapt the Film Club activities into social studies, science, history or other areas of study. Films are available to view in advance of Film Club discussions and each classroom will receive access to discussion guides and instructions on how to join the live Q&A.

 

 

Visit the Native Filmmaker Initiative website to register your classroom to view one or more of this year's films. Registration includes a screening link to the film with details to join a live filmmaker Q&A and accompanied discussion guides. Email Director of Education, Julia Sherman, at julia@bigskyfilmfest.org for more information, or to be added to their Youth Programs email list.

Looking for Guidance?

Need advice on how to incorporate Montana History or IEFA into your classroom or how to meet the new social studies standards? The Montana Historical Society’s Teacher Leaders in Montana History are here to help. These Montana educators have a passion for history, collaboration, and education, and they are eager to help you find resources. Each teacher leader is ready to work with individual teachers, schools, and districts and are available to consult, mentor, and present at PIR days. Learn more. 

Critical Race Theory

Someone asked me recently if our new fourth-grade textbook teaches Critical Race Theory (CRT). The answer is no--none of MTHS or OPI's Indian Education lessons teach Critical Race Theory. Some of them do teach about the history of discrimination. Confused about what you can and cannot teach? Here's an FAQ sheet. 

Have you had parents ask if you are teaching CRT? Consider using the question as an opportunity to open a dialog. Since CRT means different things to different people, consider kindly saying, "explain to me what you are worried about, and I'll tell you if I teach it" and then address their specific concerns. (H/T to Teacher Leader in Montana History Dylan Huisken for this excellent advice.)

Teaching Montana History Is on Facebook!

If you spend time on Facebook, I hope you'll join--and actively participate--in our closed Teaching Montana History Facebook group. It's a great way to connect to other teachers.

 

 

 

Upcoming Opportunities for Educators:

Grades 6-12 Social Studies Teachers in Eastern Montana

Re: One day Teaching Historical Thinking Workshop in Sidney during MFPE

Those of you who won't be able to make it to MFPE in Missoula this year--and especially if you live in Eastern Montana--consider attending this one-day workshop for grades 6-12 social studies teachers: Teaching Historical Thinking through Indigenous Histories.

This is a FREE workshop and attending educators will receive a stipend to cover the cost of their travel (including a hotel room for those traveling over 90 miles).

At the workshop, educators will explore tribal histories of the upper Great Plains using primary sources and learn strategies for historical thinking, and student-led historical research.

The workshop is a collaboration between the Montana Historical Society, National History Day in Montana, and the State Historical Society of North Dakota. It is sponsored by the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Great Plains Region, coordinated by the National Council for History Education.

Where: Sidney High School, 1012 4th Ave SE, Sidney, MT 

When: Thursday, October 16 (teachers' convention break), 9 am - 4 pm

Who: 6-12 teachers (priority given to teachers in Eastern Montana)

Benefits: travel stipend, lunch, 6 renewal units

Apply for priority consideration by October 1.

Questions? Contact Melissa Hibbard

Civics Bee

The Mansfield Center is partnering with the National Chamber of Commerce Foundation to host the 2026 Montana Civics Bee for middle school students. Students who participate will strengthen their civics, writing, and public speaking skills, and form friendships with other young leaders along the way!   

A brief overview of the Montana Civics Bee:  

  • 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students must submit a 750-word (max) essay proposing their ideas for improving their community by February 3rd, 2026.
  • Top-scoring essays will be invited to participate in a regional bee near them in spring 2026 for the chance to win cash prizes. Finalists from each regional bee will be invited to compete in the Montana State Civics Bee in Helena in late spring/early summer 2026 for the chance to win cash prizes at the state level.  
  • The winner of the State Bee will be sent on an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, DC to compete in the National Civics Bee in fall 2025 for the chance to win $100,000 towards college.

The United States is experiencing a crisis in civic education among younger generations, and the Mansfield Center is working to combat this issue by offering opportunities for young Americans to engage with civics and strengthen our democracy moving forward. We are thrilled to gather students from across the state for these exciting events!  

To apply, visit the National Civics Bee webpage [my.reviewr.com] and create an account to access the application portal.  

For additional resources to prepare your students visit our resource platform [drive.google.com]

   Reach out to Kate Koenig at kate.koenig@mso.umt.edu with questions! 

2026 Civics Bee Flyer

EconoQuest Conference

The Montana World Affairs Council is excited to invite your school to the 2025 EconoQuest Conference, happening October 27–28 at Montana State University in Bozeman. This free, two-day event is designed to help students explore career opportunities in some of Montana’s fastest-growing industries, including bioscience, agriculture, photonics and quantum, and more! Through interactive panels, MSU lab tours, and hands-on simulations, students will connect directly with industry leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of our state.

Conference highlights include a scavenger hunt at the Museum of the Rockies, an international trade competition with a $1,000 grand prize, and an industry banquet featuring keynote speakers and Montana trivia. There is no registration fee with all meals provided and schools can apply for scholarship support to help cover the cost of transportation, lodging, and substitute teachers. The scholarship application deadline is Friday, September 19. Register your school today at montanaworldaffairs.org/econoquest [montanaworldaffairs.org] and give your students a one-of-a-kind opportunity

Teacher workshop explores Indigenous histories through primary sources 

BISMARCK, N.D. — The State Historical Society of North Dakota in collaboration with the Montana Historical Society invites grades 6-12 social studies educators to participate in a free professional development workshop, “Teaching Historical Thinking Through Indigenous Histories,” Thursday, Oct. 16, at Sidney High School in Sidney, Montana. 

Educators will explore the tribal histories of the upper Great Plains using primary sources aligned with the North Dakota Native American Essential Understandings standards and Montana’s Indian Education for All standards. Participants will also learn strategies to guide student-led historical research. 

North Dakota educators will earn five professional development hours, and Montana educators will receive five Office of Public Instruction renewal units. Lunch and a travel stipend are included. This workshop is sponsored in part by the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Great Plains Region, coordinated by the National Council for History Education. 

Space is limited. Learn more and register for the workshop by Oct. 7 at ndstudies.gov/teacher-workshops [history.us5.list-manage.com]. For more information, contact Education Outreach Supervisor Madison Milbrath, shsprograms@nd.gov or 701.328.2794.  

 

The 2025-26 United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) Scholarship application deadline is almost here!

Two students from Montana will be selected to receive one $10,000 scholarship each, along with a trip to Washington, D.C., March 7-14, 2026. Attending the entire Washington Week public service and leadership program and the college scholarship are one, inseparable award!

The application is available right now on the OPI Student Scholarships & Student Exchange webpage, and complete application packets must be submitted electronically by 11:59 pm, October 6, 2025.

Questions? Contact Kristen Bokovoy, USSYP Coordinator, at Kristen.Bokovoy2@mt.gov or 406-444-2417.

Freedom Week

Freedom Week and Other Commemorations generated a lot of responses.  Please keep sharing your good ideas and/or resources you like. 

Freedom to Read

School librarian Andrea Feige said that during Freedom Week she was "going to do a 'Freedom to Read' lesson that covers censorship and book bans around the country and in Montana. It usually leads to some pretty fantastic discussions with my 8th graders."  

Everyday Native

In celebration of American Indian Heritage Day in September, Indigenous Peoples Day in October, and Native American Heritage month in November, Everyday Native offers a free online resource for grades 4-12 that brings modern Native perspectives to Native American history. Based on primary sources, the resource is designed to enhance existing curriculum across many subjects, emphasizing the everyday life of Native Americans as opposed to popular stereotypes created by movies, TV, books, and news media.

The resource contains award-winning short films featuring Native youth's stories, photographs by noted photographer Sue Reynolds, poems by acclaimed Native American poet Victor Charlo, discussion questions, ideas for classroom discussion and integration, and much more. Everyday Native's new Integration Ideas content, authored by Great Falls Public School District’s award-winning Indigenous teacher Jordann Lankford, makes it even easier for educators to incorporate these IEFA learning activities into their classrooms. To access Everyday Native's free resources for your classroom, create your free account here.

National Constitution Center Resources

The National Constitution Center has launched two new resources, the Interactive Declaration of Independence and the America at 250 Civic Toolkit. These free digital resources anchor the Center’s nationwide strategy to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026 and inspire renewed curiosity about the founding principles that continue to shape American democracy. 

Friends of the Montana Constitution

Committed to "promoting and enhancing the public’s understanding and appreciation of the 1972 Montana Constitution; advancing civics education at all levels about the 1972 Montana Constitution; and recognizing and celebrating the 1972 Constitutional Convention and its delegates," this organization has a rich website of resources, including a chart comparing the US and Montana Constitutions. This looks to me as if it could be the basis of a great government lesson (with kids completing the chart). If you create such a lesson, I'd love to see it! 

GEEO Teacher Travel Programs
 
Full list of all  programs with links to each trip's webpage.
  • Summer 2026 programs are officially live!
  • Our final sale on Winter 2025 programs has been extended.
  • We've added a new hiking trip to the Canary Islands for spring break.
  • Check out our new family trip to Peru next summer.
  • Explore our recommended combo trips to maximize your time abroad next summer.

 

Library Mapping Resource

Montana Place Names

The Montana History Portal is pleased to be the new home for the Montana Place Names map. This map is the companion to the book, Montana Place names from Alzada to Zortman, written and published by the Montana Historical Society.  Each point in the map links to an information item in the collection Montana Places Names from Alzada to Zortman. Each information page has an interactive map in the left side panel that allows you to pan and zoom on the point in the standard map or satellite view. Links on the right of the page take you back to the full map and, if available, show you an image of the place from our collections. This map and the corresponding information are an excellent addition to the History Portal, and we hope you enjoy browsing and learning more about Montana places.

 

Support Student Civic Engagement in Montana

America250 is asking for support for programs that  boost student engagement with Montana history and civics! Check out the flyer below, and Learn more and check out their social studies resources at https://www.america250mt.org/resources

MTHS Traveling Trunks

The HUB course also provides a brief overview of our traveling trunk program. These hands-on history footlockers use replica and real artifacts, photographs, and documents to bring history alive for students. Teachers get the trunks for two weeks; the rental fee is $25. Each footlocker comes with a user guide that has lesson plans and readings. These are all posted online and can be downloaded and used without ordering the trunk.

The footlockers are really popular, and teachers often reserve them months in advance, so I was surprised to see that some my favorites are still available this spring, including Coming to Montana, Montana State Symbolsand Through the Eyes of a Child

New HUB Course

Looking for a quick tour of the lessons and strategies we've integrated into the Montana: A History of Our Home curriculum?

We now have a one-hour class on OPI's Teacher Learning HUB to introduce educators to the key historical themes and topics integrated into the curriculum. (Participants receive one renewal unit.) 

Winter in Montana is challenging for travel. During these months, Humanities Montana speakers can still visit your community — virtually — to present their humanities programs! Whether you are booking programs for the classroom, at a museum, or with a community center, speakers are available for virtual and in-person visits to provide free public humanities programming.

You can learn more about Montana Conversations or book Speakers in the Schools presenter on our website, you can learn about grant opportunities.

Subscribe to Humanities Montana.

Check the OPI Professional Learning Opportunities Portal for courses and workshops.

 

 

 

Social Studies Resources

All K-12 Grade Levels:

Of special interest to Government Teachers

  • Define the term sovereignty. (Okay! This one isn't basic, but according to the article "Sovereignty is a type of political power, and it is exercised through some form of government." In addition, "The defining aspects of sovereignty are the international relationships carried out as sovereign nations.")

  • What are the three types of sovereigns in the United States? (Federal, state and tribal governments) 

  • What section of the U.S. Constitution recognizes tribal sovereignty? (Article VI, Clause 2) 

  • What are treaties and why are they important to understanding sovereignty? (Because "treaties are agreements made between sovereign entities...by signing a treaty, both sides are showing that they recognize the sovereignty of the other.")

  • Teacher Leader in Montana History Elysia Bain shared some useful resources for teaching about tribal sovereignty 
    The first is this article, published in Indian Country Today in 2014: "Professor Breaks Down Sovereignty and Explains Its Significance," by Shaawano Chad Uran, professor of American Indian Studies at the University of Washington. 

    Elysia has her government students read the article and then answer some basic questions:

Some other "check for comprehension" questions:

  • Is the sovereignty of tribal nations the same as or different from the sovereignty enjoyed by individual states? (Different)

  • According to Professor Uran, if tribes are "domestic dependent nations" (which is how the Supreme Court has defined them), how can they still be sovereign? (Absolute power, independence, and autonomy is not necessary for sovereignty to exist. and rights "not explicitly given up to the US Federal government are still held by the tribes.")

  • Professor Uran does not think tribal nations should be blamed for their economic dependence on the United States. Why not? ("Tribal economies were based on access to land" and "lands were ceded to the U.S. by treaty in exchange for tribal economic security and other provisions.")

    Elysia follows this activity by having her students watch the four-and-a-half-minute video "Sovereign Rights, Sovereign People." 

    Looking for more short videos? Check out the National Museum of the American Indian's four minute "Nation to Nation" and twelve-minute "The 'Indian Problem'", two other videos created as part of NMAI's "Nation to Nation" exhibit. 

     Do you have resources that work really well with your class that you'd like to share? Let me know!

3-12 Grade Levels:

  • National Archives Educator Resources Lower elementary through high school

  • History Labs  (“History Labs are research and investigative learning experiences that provide teachers with the necessary information, resources, and procedures to teach a full range of historical thinking skills by taking students through a process that is methodologically similar to that employed by historians.” The site includes a template for creating your own and History Labs made by other teachers--upper elementary through high school).

Elementary

Middle School

Jr. High - High School

  • For High School, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) offers free, innovative classroom products. These online learning resources form the foundation of a global civics curriculum, empowering young people with the essential knowledge, skills, and perspective to be responsible citizens, take on the challenges of global competition, and steer through partisan rhetoric and disinformation.  Review their resources that could be used in a science classroom.  For more information contact Lori Matza, lmatza@cfr.org.

    • World101An award-winning collection of multimedia explainers for students with little or no background knowledge of international relations and foreign policy. With accessible, jargon-free language and instructor-designed teaching resources, lessons on the World101 platform are non-partisan and developed in partnership with CFR experts.
      • *We are soliciting applications for our CFR Education Ambassador 2022-2023 program. A great opportunity for middle school and high school social studies teachers.  
    • Model Diplomacy: The Model Diplomacy simulation program invites high-school students to step into the shoes of decision-makers on the National Security Council or United Nations Security Council to debate the world’s most pressing issues with dozens of full-length case studies, an expanding library of short-form scenarios covering current and historical events, and exclusive video content featuring commentary from foreign policy experts.
    • Convene the CouncilDeveloped in partnership with iCivics, one of the nation’s leading providers of educational games, Convene the Council empowers students to understand the basics of how U.S. foreign policy gets made and the ways in which countries and international organizations can influence foreign policy priorities. Twenty gameplay scenarios reveal how foreign and domestic policy are intertwined, and how decisions made in one corner of the world can affect us all. Spanish version available. 

 

High School

Councils

Standards Revision Information

New standards were adopted on November 5, 2020.  Effective date is July 1, 2021.

 

Adoption Timeline and Meetings

The Board of Public Education (BPE) approved the Social Studies at their November 5, 2020 meeting. Please check the BPE website for further details.  The implementation date for the new standards is July 1, 2021.

 

10-55-138

(Board of Public Education) Notice of Public Hearing on Proposed Adoption, Amendment, and Repeal - K-12 Social Studies Content Standards.

 

Standards Revision

Revision Information

2017 - 2027 COMPLETE REVISION SCHEDULE - This schedule may change based on resource availability or other factors.

  • To learn about the process and how to get involved, take the Montana Content Standards 101 course on the Teacher Learning Hub (1 renewal unit)

Standards Drafts

Negotiated Rulemaking Committee Meetings

Economic Impact Surveys