Fifteen major concepts form the basis of the New York State schools K-12 social studies program. They are: (1) change, (2) choice, (3) citizenship, (4) culture, (5) diversity, (6) empathy, (7) environment, (8) human rights, (9) identity, (10) interdependence, (11) justice, (12) political system, (13) power, (14) scarcity, and (15) technology. The course content for seventh and eighth grade social studies is coordinated with major concepts and model activities and divided into 15 major units covering the time period of pre-1500 to post World War II. Unit one discusses the global heritage of the U.S. people prior to 1500. The European exploration and colonization of the United States are presented in unit two. The creation of the nation is the focus of unit three. Unit four discusses the formation of the new government. Life from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War is the subject of unit five. Unit six discusses events of the Civil War. The industrialization of the United States is the topic of unit seven. Unit eight describes the expansion of the United States into a global power. The period between World War I and II is described in unit nine. Unit ten develops the causes for World War II and its consequences. The changing nature of the U.S. people from World War II to the present is outlined in unit eleven. Unit twelve presents citizenship in today's world. Methods for integrating students with handicapping conditions are appended. (SM)