A scope and sequence for teaching elementary and secondary social studies is provided in a subject-by-subject format. Designed to meet the requirements of North Carolina's competency-based curriculum, materials may also be useful to other states and localities. Following a foreword and acknowledgments, material is divided into three main sections. A background and overview contains an introduction and discusses philosophy and rationale, role of thinking skills in the social studies curriculum, programs for exceptional children, and how to read the teacher handbook. The bulk of the document is presented in a section entitled "Social Studies Competency-Based Curriculum." Introductory material for this section includes a description of purpose, overview, and learning outcomes. Subsections are organized by the following grade levels: grades K-3, 4-6, 7-8, and 9-12. Within each subsection, major emphases and theme, knowledge, and skills for each grade level are presented individually in matrix format. Grade level themes are: grade 1, the individual and group relationships; grade 2, home and school; grade 3, communities; grade 4, North Carolina; grade 5, the Western hemisphere; grade 6, the Eastern hemisphere (Europe and the Soviet Union); grade 7, the Eastern hemisphere (Africa and Asia); grade 8, North Carolina history; grade 9, economic political, and legal systems; grade 10, world studies; and grade 11, United States history. Included in the nine appendices are materials on the Elementary and Secondary School Reform Act of 1984, the Standard Course of Study (North Carolina Administrative Code), the course requirements for high school graduation, the North Carolina Scholars Program, the secondary level testing requirements, and the textbook adoption prices in North Carolina. (LP)