Elementary Social Studies Program

     The elementary social studies curriculum guide was created in alignment with the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards encompassing the areas of historical thinking, problem solving, research skills, civics, history, geography, and economics.  It consists of a spiraling framework within grades K-5.  Skills and knowledge are repeated,  reinforced, and built upon to ensure mastery learning.  Cognitive, interpersonal, and participative skills are integrated within the content lessons.  These lessons are taught utilizing an integration of direct instruction, self-discovery, individual and small group activities, writing exercises, technology and oral communication activities.
     The elementary social studies program strives to develop an awareness of our diverse nation and the interdependent world in which we live. Students are encouraged to make informed and logical decisions and to be reflective of their actions.  Students are exposed to the past in order to understand the present and to plan for the future. Overall, the program was implemented to develop students as life long learners who actively participate in the ever changing world.

Program Overview

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Kindergarten

Kindergarten focuses on learning about themselves and their immediate surroundings.  Through various oral activities they build an understanding of families and develop their ability to communicate with family members.  They participate in poems, songs, and stories to learn about their school and community. They develop an understanding of how life is different today from the past and how families, schools, and communities have changed.  They discuss family celebrations and traditions and compare them to a historical events.  They look at national symbols and sing patriotic songs.  They learn about the importance of rules at home, in school, and in their community in order to keep safe.  They view their neighborhood through maps and signs, and learn to identify land and water forms.  They learn about community helpers and the types of jobs they perform.  They discuss ways to earn and save money and to identify needs like clothing, food and shelter.  They study weather, the seasons, and ways to conserve resources.  All of these skills are learned utilizing visuals, oral language, listening skills, writing skills, map skills and project oriented activities.

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Grade One

The grade one social studies program focuses upon the student’s place within their home, school, and community.  They develop an understanding of the rules necessary for safety at each location.  They learn about community jobs and the difference between needs and wants.  They identify spending and saving patterns.  They study different kinds of weather and locate landforms and waterways.  They develop an understanding of various holidays and identify symbols of our country.  Through the use of folktales, songs, and poems they develop an appreciation for their immediate surrounding and the diverse cultures within their surroundings.  Students use skills such as reading, map, globe, chart, graph, thinking and technology to obtain information.

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Grade Two

The grade two social studies program focuses upon where and how people live.  They develop an understanding of the makeup of a neighborhood and a community and how both change.  They identify their state and country and how their country is a part of the global world.  They study their family history and celebrations around the world.  They focus on how and where people live.  They develop an understanding of our earth’s resources and how to care for them.  They focus upon services within a community and the production of goods.  They identify components of our local, state, and federal government.  They learn about the first Americans, the thirteen colonies, and westward movement.  Citizen heroes are identified and characteristics of good citizenship are reviewed.  Students use skills such as reading, map, globe, chart, graph, thinking, and technology to obtain information.

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Grade Three 

The grade three social studies program focuses upon the study of communities.  Students begin with a focus on communities within and outside the United States.  They learn about rural, suburban, and urban communities.  They study the geographic location of communities within the mountains and near water.  They acknowledge the diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds within a community and the contributions individuals make to shape them.  They look at historical communities and study technological changes that have occurred regarding communication and transportation.  They learn about the economic system of a community and the natural resources available within various communities.  They study community government and develop an understanding of their rights and responsibilities as American citizens living within a democracy.  Students use skills such as globe, thinking, reading, map, research, writing, chart, graph, and technology to acquire information. 

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Grade Four 

The grade four social studies program focuses upon a regional study of New Jersey-the land, the people, the history, and the aspects involved with change.  Students identify and appreciate the diverse ethnic and racial groups living in New Jersey who have made contributions to our state.  The use of literature, maps, graphic organizers, songs, and primary and secondary sources enrich their understanding.  Students learn how the different regions of New Jersey have developed, the resources predominant in each region, and the people from the past to the present who have been involved in changing New Jersey throughout the years.  Students explore cities, symbols, cultural diversity, historical documents, inventions, citizen heroes, industry, social changes, the economy and the government.  Citizenship and responsibility will be focused upon as well as reading, map, globe, thinking, research, writing, and technology skills to integrate and enhance learning.

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Grade Five

The grade five social studies program focuses upon the development of our nation.  Emphasis is placed on events throughout history viewed through the eyes of the various individuals and groups involved.  Students learn about the explorers, the colonial settlements, the immigration patterns, westward expansion, and Native Americans.  Students compare and contrast values and institutions.  Students discuss the conflicts leading to the Revolutionary War and how people have created change within our democratic society.  Students learn how and when slavery was abolished within the context of the Civil War.  They learn about hardships faced by various minority groups and the significant contributions these individuals made to our nation in the areas of economics, politics, and cultural development.  Students study historical documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.  Students develop and understanding of those who have helped to build our nation during and after WWI and WWII.  Students will utilize skills such as reading, map, globe, thinking, research, writing, chart, graph, and technology while acquiring information.

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SOCIAL STUDIES COMPETENCIES
FOR MAP AND GLOBE SKILLS

PRIMARY LEVEL: Mastery achieved upon the completion of Second Grade

• Distinguish left from right.
• Categorize objects according to size.
• Use directional words. (up, down, in, out, over, under, through, above, below, across, by)
• Use cardinal directions. (north, south, east, west)
• Recognize the globe as a representation of the earth.
• Distinguish land from water across the globe.
• Make simple maps of familiar locations.
• Relate day and night changes to the rotation of the earth from east to west.
• Locate one’s own country and state on a globe.

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INTERMEDIATE LEVEL:  Mastery achieved upon the completion of Fifth Grade

• Locate the continents and major oceans of the world on a globe.
• Locate one’s own town, country, and well-known cities on a map.
• Locate and read a map’s title, symbols, and legend.
• Locate the poles, equator, and Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn on a map and a globe.
• Perceive distortions when a round earth is depicted on a flat map.
• Use and interpret map symbols.
• Interpret and create map legends.
• Read a direction on a map and a globe.
• Read distances on a map using a scale.
• Use and interpret latitude and longitude.
• Explain the cause of day and night in terms of the earth’s rotation.
• Relate time zones to longitude.
• Read diverse information from maps. (physical, political, rainfall, etc.)

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