Social Studies
Social studies is an academic discipline that explores human society and the relationships among individuals within a society. It encompasses a wide range of subjects, including geography and history, which play key roles in understanding the world. Geography focuses on the physical features of the Earth, such as landforms, climates, and ecosystems, as well as human activities and how they interact with the environment. It helps us understand the spatial connections between people and places. History, on the other hand, examines past events, cultures, and civilizations to understand how they have shaped the present. By studying history, we gain insight into the struggles, achievements, and changes experienced by societies over time. Together, geography and history provide valuable perspectives that help us better understand current events and make informed decisions about the future.
Kindergarten Social Studies Curriculum
The social studies curriculum for kindergarten introduces young learners to basic concepts about themselves, their community, and the world around them. It focuses on helping children understand who they are, where they live, and how they relate to others. In geography, students learn about simple maps, directions (like left and right), landforms, and different places in the world. History at the kindergarten level involves learning about personal and family history, important holidays, and famous people from the past. Through stories, songs, and hands-on activities, children begin to explore ideas like time, change, and traditions. The goal of the kindergarten social studies curriculum is to build a foundation of curiosity, respect for others, and a sense of belonging in the wider world.
Kindergarten Syllabus
3-5 year old
1. Myself and My Community
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Understanding personal identity (name, age, family)
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Recognizing similarities and differences among people
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Learning about roles of family members and community helpers (teachers, firefighters, doctors, etc.)
2. Rules and Responsibilities
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Importance of classroom and school rules
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Understanding fairness and cooperation
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Practicing good citizenship (sharing, helping, listening)
3. Geography Basics
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Introduction to maps and globes
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Identifying land and water on a map
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Understanding basic directions: left, right, near, far
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Recognizing physical features (mountains, rivers, homes)
4. History and Time
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Understanding the concepts of past, present, and future
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Learning about personal and family history
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Introduction to important holidays and symbols (e.g., national flag, birthdays, seasonal events)
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Stories about famous people from the past (e.g., Martin Luther King Jr., local heroes)
5. Culture and Traditions
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Exploring different cultural traditions and celebrations
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Learning about foods, clothes, and music from around the world
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Respecting and appreciating diversity
6. Daily Life and Environment
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Understanding needs vs. wants (food, shelter, toys)
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How people live and work in different places
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Taking care of the environment (basic recycling, cleanliness)
This syllabus is designed to be engaging and interactive, using stories, songs, art, play, and hands-on activities to introduce big ideas in ways young learners can understand and enjoy.
Grade 1 Social Studies Curriculum
The Grade 1 social studies curriculum builds on the foundational concepts introduced in kindergarten, helping students deepen their understanding of their community and the world around them. In geography, students learn to read and interpret simple maps and globes, recognize land and water features, and explore the concept of location using cardinal directions. They also begin to understand how people adapt to and change their environments. In history, first graders are introduced to important events, historical figures, and national symbols, with a focus on understanding the past and how it shapes the present. Students learn about timelines, family traditions, and cultural celebrations. Overall, the Grade 1 curriculum encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and a growing awareness of civic values, helping children develop a sense of identity and community.
Grade 1 Syllabus
5-6 year old
1. Self and Family
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Understanding identity and family roles
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Comparing families and traditions
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Creating simple family trees and timelines
2. Community and Helpers
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Recognizing community members and their roles (e.g., police officers, doctors, teachers)
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Understanding the importance of rules and laws
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Exploring how people work together to build a community
3. Basic Geography
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Identifying and using simple maps and globes
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Recognizing landforms (hills, rivers, oceans, mountains) and bodies of water
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Understanding directions: North, South, East, West
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Learning about homes and environments in different regions
4. History and Time
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Understanding past, present, and future
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Learning about historical figures (e.g., George Washington, Nelson Mandela, Florence Nightingale)
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Recognizing national symbols and holidays
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Creating timelines of events and personal growth
5. Culture and Traditions
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Exploring different cultures and languages
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Celebrating cultural holidays and festivals
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Respecting similarities and differences among people
6. Citizenship and Responsibility
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Understanding rights and responsibilities at home and school
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Practicing kindness, honesty, and cooperation
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Introduction to local government and community rules
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7. Economy Basics
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Learning about needs and wants
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Introduction to goods, services, and simple trade
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Recognizing money and how it's used in daily life
This syllabus supports learning through interactive activities like drawing maps, role-playing, storytelling, and project work to help children understand the world around them.
Grade 2 Social Studies Curriculum
The Grade 2 social studies curriculum expands students’ understanding of the world by exploring more complex ideas about communities, geography, and history. In geography, students learn to use maps and globes with greater detail, identifying continents, oceans, countries, and major landforms. They also explore how geography influences how people live, work, and travel. In history, second graders study local and national historical events, important figures, and how communities have changed over time. They are introduced to timelines and learn to compare the past with the present. The curriculum also emphasizes the importance of rules, responsibilities, and citizenship, helping students understand how they can contribute to their community. Through stories, projects, and discussions, Grade 2 students begin to develop a broader perspective of the world and their place in it
Grade 2 Syllabus
6-7 year old
1. Communities and Neighborhoods
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Exploring different types of communities (urban, rural, suburban)
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Understanding how people live, work, and play in communities
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Learning about important places in the neighborhood (school, library, post office)
2. Map Skills and Geography
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Using maps and globes to locate countries, continents, and oceans
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Identifying landforms (mountains, valleys, deserts) and bodies of water (rivers, lakes)
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Understanding cardinal directions (North, South, East, West)
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Learning about natural resources and how people use them
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Recognizing weather and climate in different regions
3. Local and National History
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Learning about local history and early settlers
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Studying important national symbols (flag, anthem, monuments)
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Learning about key historical figures and events
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Understanding how communities change over time
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Introduction to timelines and sequencing events
4. Culture and Traditions
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Exploring cultures, customs, and celebrations around the world
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Understanding how culture shapes food, clothing, language, and art
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Comparing traditions across families and countries
5. Citizenship and Government
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Learning about good citizenship (respect, honesty, responsibility)
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Understanding rules, laws, and the purpose of government
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Introduction to leaders in the community, state, and country
6. Basic Economics
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Understanding needs and wants
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Identifying goods and services
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Learning how money is earned and used
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Exploring simple ideas about saving and spending
Grade 3 Social Studies Curriculum
The Grade 3 social studies curriculum encourages students to explore their world more deeply by examining communities, cultures, geography, and history on a broader scale. In geography, students learn to read and analyze more detailed maps, understand geographical terms, and explore how landforms, climate, and natural resources influence where and how people live. In history, they begin studying the development of communities over time, including indigenous cultures, early settlers, and local historical events. Students learn about cultural traditions, government systems, and the importance of cooperation and civic responsibility. The curriculum also introduces basic economic concepts such as needs and wants, goods and services, and trade. By the end of Grade 3, students gain a stronger sense of global awareness and begin to make connections between the past and present, preparing them to be thoughtful, informed citizens.
Grade 3 Syllabus
8-9 year old
1. Understanding Communities and Cultures
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Explore different types of communities: local, national, and global
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Understand cultural diversity and respect for others
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Study traditions, celebrations, food, clothing, and beliefs of various cultures
2. Map Skills and World Geography
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Use maps, globes, and digital tools to locate continents, oceans, countries, and regions
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Identify physical features: mountains, plains, rivers, deserts, and forests
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Understand basic geographic terms: equator, hemisphere, latitude, longitude
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Study how geography affects how people live, travel, and use resources
3. History and Historical Thinking
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Learn about the history of local and national communities
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Study significant historical events and figures (explorers, leaders, inventors)
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Use timelines to understand the sequence of events
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Explore how communities have changed over time
4. Government and Citizenship
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Understand the purpose and basic structure of government (local, state, national)
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Learn about laws, rules, and the role of leaders
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Discuss the responsibilities and rights of citizens
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Explore symbols of government and national identity (flag, anthem, constitution)
5. Economics and Daily Life
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Understand the difference between needs and wants
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Explore goods, services, producers, and consumers
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Learn how money is earned, saved, and spent
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Discuss trade and how people exchange goods and services
6. Environment and Human Interaction
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Study how humans interact with the environment (farming, building, transportation)
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Learn about environmental conservation and protecting natural resources
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Understand the impact of natural disasters and weather on communities
Grade 4 Social Studies Curriculum
The Grade 4 social studies curriculum takes students on a deeper journey into the study of geography, history, government, and culture, with a focus on their own country and its regions. In geography, students learn to interpret a variety of maps and understand physical and political features, such as rivers, mountains, borders, and regions. They explore how geography affects human activity, including settlement, agriculture, and transportation. In history, fourth graders study the early history of their country, including indigenous peoples, exploration, colonization, and the formation of states or provinces. They examine key historical events, figures, and movements that helped shape the nation. The curriculum also introduces basic government structures, civic responsibilities, and economic principles such as production, consumption, and trade. By exploring these topics, students begin to develop a more complete understanding of their country's development, diversity, and their role as active, informed citizens.
Grade 4 Syllabus
10 year old
1. Regions and Communities
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Explore different regions of the country or world (e.g., regions in the U.S. or other countries)
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Study the geography, economy, culture, and climate of various regions
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Compare and contrast life in urban, rural, and suburban communities
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Understand the connection between geography and human activity (e.g., farming, industry, trade)
2. Advanced Map Skills and Geography
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Use detailed maps and globes to identify continents, oceans, countries, and regions
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Understand map symbols, keys, and scale
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Study physical and political features on maps: rivers, mountains, borders, cities
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Learn about latitude and longitude and how they are used to locate places
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Understand the concept of hemispheres and time zones
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Investigate how people adapt to and modify their environment
3. Early American History and Exploration
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Study the early history of the United States, including Native American cultures and first explorers
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Learn about the arrival of Europeans, colonization, and the 13 original colonies
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Explore the causes and key events of the American Revolution
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Study the establishment of the U.S. Constitution and early government
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Understand the impact of slavery and the abolition movement on American history
4. Government and Citizenship
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Learn about the structure of the U.S. government (local, state, and national)
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Understand the roles and responsibilities of elected officials (e.g., President, Governor, Mayor)
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Study the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the democratic process
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Explore the importance of voting, rights, and responsibilities as citizens
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Learn about national symbols (flag, pledge of allegiance, monuments)
5. U.S. History and Important Figures
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Study significant historical figures in U.S. history (e.g., George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, Martin Luther King Jr.)
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Understand their contributions and impact on the country
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Learn about key historical events (e.g., Civil War, westward expansion, women’s suffrage)
6. Economic Systems and Resources
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Study the basic concepts of economics: supply, demand, and trade
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Understand how goods and services are produced, distributed, and consumed
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Learn about different types of economies (market, command, mixed)
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Discuss natural resources, conservation, and renewable energy
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Understand how money is used in the economy and explore simple concepts of budgeting and saving
7. The Environment and Sustainability
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Explore how human activity affects the environment (pollution, deforestation, urbanization)
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Learn about environmental conservation and sustainability
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Study local and global efforts to protect the environment (e.g., recycling, climate change awareness, wildlife protection)
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Understand how geography influences climate and weather patterns
This syllabus engages students through activities like researching historical events, creating maps, discussing citizenship, and examining economic systems. Projects, field trips, and group discussions provide deeper understanding and engagement.