2014 - 15
Social Studies Curriculum Calendar Kindergarten Unit
Time Frame
My School and School Community
September – November
Myself And Others
November – January
My Family And Other Families
My Neighborhood
January – March
April – June
Essential Questions What is school and what does it mean to be a good citizen of a school community? What makes me a good citizen in school? How can members of a school influence the rules that have to be followed in the classroom, in the cafeteria, on the playground, and on the bus? Why are rules and consequences important? What are some roles and responsibilities we have at school? Who makes and follows rules? What makes a school community? Why are the symbols of our nation important? How am I alike and different from other people? What is the difference between what I need and what I want? Why do we need other people? How have I changed? How will I change? Why do people change? What is a family? How are families alike and different? What are some things families need and want? Why do families have to make economic decisions and choices? Why should different family members have different responsibilities? Do families need rules? What is a neighborhood? Why is “where” important? Can an individual really make a difference? Why are the symbols of our nation important? How does a community meet the needs of the people who live there?
2014 - 15
Social Studies Curriculum Calendar First Grade Unit
Citizenship
My Family and Other Families
History of My Family
Time Frame
September – October
November – January
February March
(Families Then & Now)
My Community
April – June
Essential Questions How do citizens participate in their government and community? Are rules and laws necessary? Why are rules and consequences important? Why do we have rules and laws? What is fair? What is the “common good” and who decides? What are our rights and responsibilities as members of our classroom and school community? How can a member of our school be a good citizen? What symbols represent our school, town and country? What is a family? Why do people live in families? What are the roles of the members in a family? What kinds of shelter do families live in? Why do families have beliefs, customs, and traditions? How do families meet their needs and wants? Why should we study the history of our families? How can we learn from our family history? How do we know what really happened in our family history? How have the needs and wants of families changed over time? Where do families live and how has this changed over time? What is a community? How has my community changed over time? How is my community different than others? What makes my community unique? How does my community help my family survive? How do maps help us understand the world? How does geography affect the way people live? Why does “where” matter? What is a decision? Why do people work? How do families decide what to do with the money they earn? Are everyone’s wants and needs the same?
2014 - 15
Unit
Social Studies Curriculum Calendar: Grade Two Time Frame Essential Questions
Citizenship
Suburban, Urban, and Rural Communities
Geography of Communities
Communities: Change and Interdependence
September – October
November – January
February March
April – June
How do citizens participate in their government and community? How does the American flag symbolize citizenship? How do we decide which rules and to incorporate into our family and school community communities? How are community leaders chosen? What role does the citizen have in the success of his/her community? Who makes the decisions in a community? Why is it important for citizens to be able to participate in decision making, problem solving, and conflict resolution within their community? What is a community? Why do different communities exist, such as rural, urban, and suburban? How will your role in the community change over time? Comparing communities of the past with communities today, what do you think communities will look like in the future? How does where we live influence how we live? How do the environment and geography affect people in a community? How do environmental and geographical factors influence a community and the people who live and work there? How do environmental and geographical factors influence the choices you make for your lifestyle? How does the environment and geography help you make daily choices in your life? How are needs and wants used to shape a community? How do different communities meet their needs and wants? How do families decide which of their wants will be satisfied based on the resources available to them? How do goods and services meet the needs of people in a community? Why is it important for producers to meet the needs and wants of the consumers in their community? How do the needs and resources of a community dictate the type of producers needed? How do taxes affect how people live? Why are people taxed?
2014 - 15
Social Studies Curriculum Calendar Grade Three Unit
Geography and Culture
Time Frame
September - November (10 weeks)
Communities Around the World: India
November – January (10 weeks)
Communities Around the World: Brazil
February – March (10 weeks)
Communities Around the World: Africa
April - June (10 weeks)
Essential Questions Why is “where” important? How does where we live affect how we live? What is culture? In what ways are all people similar? In what ways are all people different? Why is it important to understand other cultures? How does understanding our past help us to understand how we live today? How has geography affected the people of India? In what ways is the United States similar to India? In what ways is the United States different than India? Why is it important to understand other cultures? How has geography affected the people of Brazil? In what ways is the United States similar to Brazil? In what ways is the United States different than Brazil? Why is it important to understand other cultures? How has geography affected the people of Africa? In what ways is the United States similar to Africa (Kenya)? In what ways is the United States different than Africa (Kenya)? Why is it important to understand other cultures? How does the way we live today affect the way we will live in the future?
2014 - 15
Social Studies Curriculum Calendar: Grade Four Essential Questions Unit Time Frame How does the geography of New York State affect the way people Geography of live? New York State How do geographic features vary throughout New York state? Native Americans
September – November
Exploration Settlement In Colonial America
November March
American Revolution
Growth and Expansion of New York State and the Nation
Local and State Government
March - June
Infused throughout the year
How has the climate and geography of New York influenced the Native American way of life? What were the important accomplishments and contributions of New York’s Native American Indians? Why is it important to investigate people of the past? Why did the European explorers travel to the New World?
What were lasting economic, cultural, and social contributions made by the Dutch, English, and French colonists that helped shape our community, local region, and state? What role did the British play in the development of New York government? What were the different reasons that various groups settled in New York State? What were the causes of the American Revolution? What laws led to the decision to fight the British and what was the Patriots reaction to these laws? What were the viewpoints of the Patriots and Loyalists? What were the effects of the American Revolution? What role did New York play in the American Revolution? How did advances in transportation, communication, and technology in the 19th century change the United States? How did changes in transportation affect industrialization and expansion? What impact did the immigration of the late 19th century have in New York State? On various cities and towns? What contributions did immigrants make to New York State? How did the development of factories and industrialization impact New York State? What industries grew in New York State? What is the significance of New York state’s location and its influence on people and other places? What is democracy? What are the fundamental rights of Americans? What are the values and principles expressed in our founding documents and speeches and in patriotic songs and stories? Who are the people who worked to preserve and extend our freedoms? Why are they considered heroes? What are the basic purposes of government? How are leaders at the state and local levels elected? What are the duties and responsibilities of effective, informed citizens?
2014 - 15
Social Studies Curriculum Calendar: Grade 5 Unit
Time Frame
Essential Questions How have the key geographic and environmental characteristics of nations and regions in the Western Hemisphere affected the history, economies, and cultures of its nations?
Geography*
September – November
History
November – January
Government*
February – March
What changes in population of Western Hemisphere nations have taken place across time and place, and what has been the effect of these changes? How are nations in the Western Hemisphere geographically interdependent? What historical experiences have nations of this hemisphere shared? How have different people and nations seen these similar or shared experiences? What are similarities and difference among governments of the Western Hemisphere, such as governmental structures and functions, civic values and principles, and views of the role and rights of citizens?
How are nations in the Western Hemisphere economically interdependent?
Economics
April – June Why have some Western Hemisphere nations been more successful than others in meeting their wants and needs?
* In a Presidential Election year, the unit order will change to the following: Government, Geography, History and Economics