Indiana Social Studies S.9.6

Social StudiesGrades 9–12Social Problems

The Standard

Design school- and community-based projects to address a local aspect of a social problem.

2026 Indiana Academic Standards: K-12 Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify a local part of a larger social problem and gather evidence that shows what is happening. They design a school or community project with clear steps, needed help, and a way to check results.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can turn a litter count at the school entrance into a two-week cleanup and bin proposal. The plan names who approves it, who does each task, what it costs, and how students will count litter afterward.
Common Misconceptions: Students may propose solving a whole national problem instead of one local part. They may treat a poster as a complete project or count posters made instead of checking whether conditions improve.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: A five-minute count finds 18 wrappers near the school entrance. Sketch a two-week student project with an action, needed approval, supplies, and a way to compare litter counts.

Lesson moves

In pairs, tally litter in two schoolyard spots for five minutes and mark both counts on a campus map.
Ask, 'Would a new bin or a cleanup day cut litter more?' Have students defend a choice using their counts.
Give groups action, cost, permission, and result cards for three litter plans, then have them build one workable plan.
Have students write a request to the principal for a bin trial, naming its location, upkeep, and a two-week litter count.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to S.9.6, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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