Kindergarten Social Studies

Geography

Culture

Culture encompasses similarities and differences among people, including their beliefs, knowledge, changes, values, and tradition.  The students will explore these elements of society to develop an appreciation of and respect for the variety of human cultures.

Understand the diversity of human cultures

identify personal attributes, such as physical characteristics, that are common to all people (K-SS[HB/1]I/IT)

identify, understand, and appreciate differences among people (K-SS[HB/1]I/IT)

recognize how individuals learn to do skills and customs from their culture (K-SS[HB/1]I/IT)

recognize all cultures have family units where decisions are made (K-SS[HB/1,2]I/IT)

Discuss cultures and human patterns of places and regions of the world

understand that some differences among people are a result of their culture (K-SS[HB/1]I/IT)

identify similarities and differences in food, clothes, homes, games, and families in different cultures (K-SS[HB/1]I/IT)

explain how means of transportation may be diversified in different cultures in response to the environment (K-SS[HB/]I/IT)

compare family customs and traditions among cultures (K-SS[HB/1]I/IT)

describe customs of the local community (K-SS[HB/1]I/IT)

Recognize the contributions that individuals and people of various ethnic, racial, religious, and socioeconomic groups have made to the development of civilizations

recognize contributions of different cultures around the world (K-SS[HB/1]I/IT)

explain the value of family traditions and customs (K-SS[HB/1]I/IT)


Understand how to use maps, globes, and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process and report information from a spatial perspective

explain what a globe and map represent (K-SS[HB/1,6]I/IT)

use personal directions such as up, down, left, right, near and far to describe relative direction (K-SS-I/IT)

locate places in community such as the student’s home and the classroom on the campus (K-SS[HB/1,3]I/IT)

Recognize the interaction between human and physical systems around the world

identify the human characteristics of places such as types of houses and ways of earning a living (K-SS[HB/1,3]I/IT)

describe how weather impacts daily life (K-SS[HB/5]I/IT)

describe seasons (K-SS[HB/5]I/IT)

Demonstrate how to identify and locate major physical and political features on globes and maps

identify the concept of physical features as in mountains, plains, hills, oceans, and islands (K-SS[HB/4]I/IT)

describe how landforms and bodies of water influence where and how people live (K-SS[HB/4]I/IT)

describe personal connections to place, especially place as associated with immediate surroundings (K-SS[HB/1]I/IT)


Economics

Globalization of the economy, the explosion of population growth, technological changes and international competition compels the student to understand both personally and globally, production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.  The student will examine and analyze economic concepts such as basic needs versus wants, using versus saving money, and policy-making versus decision-making.

Describe potential costs and benefits of personal economic choices in a market economy

identify basic human needs (K-SS[HB/1]I/IT)

explain how basic human needs of food, clothing, shelter, and transportation are met (K-SS[HB/1]I/IT)

understand that people create shelter according to both culture and environment (K-SS[HB/1,3]I/IT)

Give examples of the interaction of businesses and governments in a market economy

recognize how jobs are similar and different from one community to another (K-SS[HB/3]I/IT)

explain why people have job (K-SS[HB/3]I/IT)

Understand fundamental economic concepts

distinguish between needs and wants (K-SS[HB/1,3]I/IT)

recognize that all jobs are significant and realize that some jobs are interdependent (K-SS[HB/3]I/IT)


World History Period 1/ Period 2

History

History involves people, events, and issues.  The student will evaluate evidence to develop comparative and causal analyses, and to interpret primary sources.  He/she will construct sound historical arguments and perspectives on which informed decisions in contemporary life can be based.

Identify major events, people, and patterns Tennessee, United States, and world history

define history as the story of our past (K-SS[HB/5]I/IT)

recall events in the past and present in order to recognize that individuals have a personal history (K-SS[HB/5]I/IT)

illustrate a family history to demonstrate that every family has a heritage (K-SS[HB/1]I/IT)

Understand the place of historical events in the context of past, present, and future

recognize that change occurs over time (K-SS[HB/5]I/IT)

observe how sites in neighborhoods and communities change over time (K-SS[HB/3]I/IT)

Explain how to use historical information acquired from a variety of sources

recognize that each family has a family tree (K-SS[HB/1]I/IT)

recall family stories and celebrations to develop a personal history (K-SS[HB/1]I/IT)

Governance and Civics

Governance establishes structures of power and authority in order to provide order and stability.  Civic efficacy requires understanding rights and responsibilities, ethical behavior, and the role of citizens within their community, nation, and world.

Discuss the structure and purposes of governance

recognize that a person is a citizen of the country in which he/she is born (K-SS[HB/4]I/IT)

understand that rules are created to protect an environment (K-SS[HB/2]I/IT)

know that family structures can change (K-SS[HB/1]I/IT)

identify authority figures in the home, school, and community (K-SS[HB/2]I/IT)

explain how authority figures make and enforce rules (K-SS[HB/2]I/IT)

explain the use of voting as a method for group decision-making (K-SS[HB/2]I/IT)

Describe the Constitution of the United States and the Tennessee State Constitution in principle and practice

recognize the need for rules for daily living and fair treatment of others (K-SS[HB/2]I/IT)

identify purposes for having rules (K-SS[HB/2]I/IT)

be aware that laws and rules are followed and created by the people, school, community, and country (K-SS[HB/2]I/IT)

Understand the rights, responsibilities, and privileges of citizens living in a democratic republic

know rules of safety including signs and signals (K-SS[HB/2]I/IT)

define cooperation (K-SS[HB/2]I/IT)

Recognize the qualities of a contributing citizen in our participatory democracy

identify the flags of the United States and Tennessee (K-SS-I/IT)

recite the Pledge of Allegiance (K-SS-M/IT)

explain the reasons for national patriotic holidays such as President’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and Independence Day (K-SS[HB/5]I/IT


Individual Groups and Interactions

Personal development and identity are shaped by factors including culture, groups, and institutions.  Central to this development are exploration, identification, and analysis of how individuals and groups work independently and cooperatively.

Recognize the impact of individual and group decisions on citizens and communities

describe how individuals meet their needs and wants through different means (K-SS[HB/1]D/IT)

know that individuals choose jobs that impact their lives, families, and communities (K-SS[HB/]D/IT)

explain that people learn in the context of families, peers, schools, and communities (K-SS[HB/1,2]I/IT)

give examples of how learning and physical development affect behavior (K-SS[HB/1]I/IT)

explain the consequences of an individual’s decisions and actions (K-SS[HB/2]I/IT)

Understand how groups can impact change at the local, state, national, and world levels

recognize that individuals have a space or develop an understanding of space and spatial relationships (K-SS[HB/1]I/IT)

understand that cooperation is necessary when working within large and small groups to complete tasks (K-SS[HB/2]I/IT)

work independently and cooperatively to accomplish goals (K-SS[HB/2]I/IT)

describe how groups are made up of people who work, play, or learn together and share common interests (K-SS[HB/1,3]I/IT)

use picture clues and picture captions to aid comprehension to acquire information (K-SS[HB/ALL]I/IT)

utilize community resources such as field trips, guest speakers, and museums for historical awareness (K-SS-I/IT)

Process Skills

The student will use social studies process standards to acquire information, analyze, problem solve, communicate, and develop a historical awareness

use picture clues and picture captions to aid comprehension (K-SS[HB/ALL]I/IT)

utilize community resources such as field trips, guest speakers, and museums (K-SS[HB/ALL]I/IT)