Social Science
What is Social Studies?
Social Studies
Themes
Science, math, language arts and social studies are core classes for
elementary school students. While it’s easy to figure out the basics of what
your child will learn in the first three classes, it’s not nearly as intuitive
to figure out what kinds of things your child will learn in Social Studies.
There are ten themes that have been put forth as national standards
by the National Council for the Social Studies.
Social Studies Themes
Culture:
Students look at the beliefs, values, behaviors, languages and other
ways of life of different groups of people, both contemporary and historical.
Students will compare and contrast cultures not only cross-culturally, but also
over time to see how people change, adapt and assimilate beliefs. This social
studies theme incorporates history, anthropology, geography and sociology.
Time, Continuity and
Change:
Students learn about the past as a way of understanding the human
experience over time. Also intended is to give students the resources to help
learn where their place in time is in relation to past events. Students will
explore how history has shaped the economic, political and social environment
over time and led it to the current environment.
People, Place and
Environment:
Students learn where the world’s population is physically located
and what each location has to offer its culture. Studies of people, place and
environment include an examination of weather, climate, geographical systems
and natural resources.
In addition to looking at how location affects culture and how
culture affects the land, students will begin to examine the phenomena of
immigration and the forces that lead a population to move from one place to
another.
Individual Development and
Identity:
Students learn how personal identity is shaped by the culture in
which a person lives, the social norms of his time and the institutions by
which he is surrounded. By looking at things from a psychological, sociological
and anthropological standpoint, students will examine how people physically
grow and change as well as how their group and individual interactions affect
their development of a sense of personal identity.
Individuals, Groups and
Institutions:
Students learn how the social, religious and political institutions
around us are formed and maintained and how they reflect the beliefs of their
members. In learning this, students will gain a better sense of how the
institutions can not only be changed and influenced by culture, but also that
schools, churches and governments also have the power to control and influence
culture.
Power, Authority, and
Governance:
Students will learn about different types of governmental
structures, with a particular focus on their own government as a way to learn
civic competence. This theme will also include a study of the purpose of
government, the power and limits of authority and how individual rights can be
served and protected by majority rule.
Production, Distribution,
and Consumption:
Students will learn about how the distribution of resources brings
about trade and exchange systems as well as ever-changing economic policies.
Trade, supply and demand will be looked at from a historical perspective as
well to examine the ongoing effects of technology on production and
consumption.
Science, Technology, and
Society:
Students will then learn about the influences that
scientific/technological discoveries and advances have on culture. Students
will be challenged to examine whether technology always brings about positive
social change and how global advancement can affect the institutions and social
norms of a culture.
Global Connections:
Students will look at the different types of global connections that
existed in the past, exist at present and may exist in the future. Students
will examine in-depth how these connections help to disseminate information,
set up trade systems and can even lead to war.
Civic Ideals and
Practices:
Students will learn about the civic ideals and practices in
different cultures and across time as a way to become fully participating
members of society. In particular, students will learn about what makes an
involved citizen and how the rights and responsibilities of citizens are
balanced in a democratic society. Students will also explore what it means to
be an involved member of society on the local, national and global level.
Courtesy:
National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies: A
Framework for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment
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