First Grade Social Studies Content Standards
First grade students are expected to:
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Develop social skills and citizen responsibilities
- Discuss different methods of voting and making rules such as direct democracy (everyone votes on the rules) and a representative democracy (a smaller elected group votes on the rules) by using examples in their classrooms, schools, and community. (For example, students get individual votes to make classroom rules and first grade gets one vote for Walkathon shirt)
- Build values of responsible classroom participation by learning the importance of good sportsmanship, the rights and opinions of others, classroom and school rules
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Explore geographic, economic, and environmental worlds
- Use maps and globes to develop an understanding of the physical world (i.e. locate community, state, country, continents, the four oceans)
- Construct a simple map using cardinal directions and map symbols
- Describe how location, weather, and physical environments affect the way people live (i.e. clothing, shelter, food, transportation)
- Understand the concept of the exchange and the use of money
- Understand that our economy needs people to do different kinds of jobs (i.e. manufacturing, services, work in the home)
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Learn about the symbols, icons, and traditions of the United
States
- Learn songs that express American ideals
- Discuss national holidays
- Recognize the flag, Statue of Liberty, U.S. Constitution, and Declaration of Independence
- Know the Pledge of Allegiance
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Develop awareness of past and present
- Use stories of today and fairytales, folktales, and legends of the past to discover and compare the ways in which people, places, and things around the world have changed over time (i.e. schools, communities, families, transportation, methods, clothing, games, and jobs)
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Develop awareness of cultural diversity
- Learn to appreciate the diversity in classrooms, schools, and the world
- Recognize that despite our varied ancestries, we share principles, goals, and traditions
- Recognize the ways in which Native Americans and immigrant populations have helped define California and American history