This social studies guide is designed to serve as a companion document to the New York Framework and State Standards. The guide provides teachers with a wealth of information, strategies, learning experiences, sample assessments, research, and specific discipline materials to be used in the social studies curriculum development process within each school/district. The guide is divided into three major sections: (1) "Planning a Standards-Based Curriculum: Curriculum Essentials"; (2) "Planning a Standards-Based Curriculum: Learning Experiences"; and (3) "Planning a Standards-Based Curriculum: Assessment Models." This guide is not a final, complete document. The final version will be available in hardcopy, as a Compact Disc for use on CD ROM, and is accessible on the Internet at: http://www.nysed.gov. (EH)