Social Studies

 

In 2018, new Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Frameworks were released including an emphasis on “stronger attention to the intersection of history, social science, and literacy instruction, through the inclusion of literacy standards for history
and social science.” To that end, whenever possible students engage in interdisciplinary units involving reading and writing and presentations connected to the following

Building Community

Each new school year is the beginning of building a new class community. Educators and students will learn a little bit about one another and will take time to discuss what agreements, considerations, and decisions need to be made so all students feel safe and welcome.

Civics: Communities, Elections and Leadership

This unit centers on the supporting question “What does it mean to belong to or lead a group?” As we create classroom rules and learn to be respectful of each other, students will read stories together that help us think about what it means to be a member of a group and how to successfully participate as a group member or leader. Students learn about leadership and leaders from history, while thinking about what makes a good leader. They will learn about how leaders are chosen by elections, and they will learn about what it means to be a citizen.

History: Unity and Diversity in the USA

This unit supports students in thinking about our nation’s motto “Out of Many, One” and why it is a good motto for the United States. Students will demonstrate understanding of ways people show pride and belonging in the United States and learn about our unifying symbols, phrases and patriotic songs. Students also learn sequential patterns in seasonal events using a calendar and vocabulary relating to chronology and time, such as present, past and future.

Geography: Places to Explore

Students extend their prior learning about maps as they answer the supporting question “How can maps help people locate places and learn about them?”. Students learn terms for directions north, south, east and west. They learn about capitals and locate some important major capitals on the map. They will learn about physical features on maps, including continents, oceans, rivers, lakes, mountains. They also gain understanding that people from different parts of the world can have different ways of living, customs and languages.

Economics: Resources and Choices

To wrap up the year, students will better understand the concept of resources. They will learn a bit about what it means to be employed, earn income, and more. Lastly, they will discuss the concept of goods and services and the importance of saving.