This guide provides descriptions of the social studies courses that are offered in Florida schools for students in grades six through eight. Specifically, the guide presents broad guidelines for course content and outcomes and is intended to assist educators in developing specific instructional plans for given subject areas. The guide is designed to ensure instructional consistency within academic disciplines among Florida's middle/junior high schools. The following types of social studies courses are covered in the guide: United States history, Florida history, geography, social studies, civics, law studies, and world cultures. The curriculum framework for each course contains three sections. The first, headed "Major concepts/content," provides a statement of the purpose of the course and a listing of the course topics or content. Items in the second section, "Intended outcomes," describe the knowledge and skills the students are expected to have once the course has been successfully completed. The third category, "Special note," provides additional information about a course such as legal requirements, laboratory activities, or exploratory guidelines. (DB)