Major Instructional Goals s1

Kindergarten

Rationale: The mission of social studies is to prepare young people for informed responsible citizenship now and in the future. This will be accomplished through the study of economics, civic/political, social/cultural, historical and geographical perspectives.

Description: The Kindergarten social studies program is designed to be the foundation of the social studies program. It will introduce students to their position in their family, school, community and the nation.

Major Instructional Goals

Principles of Constitutional Democracy Students will:  Knowledge of the Constitution as the fundamental law of our nation o Identify why laws and rules are made  Knowledge of the symbols of our nation o Identify the flag as a symbol of our nation o Recite the Pledge of Allegiance

Principles and Processes of Governance Systems Students will:  Knowledge of democratic principles of governance, especially as applied to school, community and state o Participate in a democratic decision-making processes o Explain how to resolve disputes peacefully in the classroom and on the playground  A general knowledge of how and by whom authoritative decisions are made, enforced and interpreted within these governance systems o Describe how groups need to make decisions and how those decisions are made in families and classrooms  Knowledge of the functions of the three branches of government o Explain what it means to make rues and how it is necessary to carry out or enforce rules

Economic Concepts and Principles Students will:  Knowledge of basic economic concepts, being able to explain and use them to interpret historical and current events o Identify examples of scarcity o Identify examples of opportunity cost

Elements of Geographical Study and Analysis Students will:  Reading and constructing maps o Identify maps and globes as geographic tools

Relationships of Individual and Groups to Institutions and Traditions Students will:  Cultures meeting the needs of people o Name common physical, social and emotional needs

Tools of Social Science Inquiry Students will:  Identify, select, use and create appropriate resources for social science inquiry o Identify visual, graphic and auditory aids (posters and recordings) o Identify primary and secondary sources (diaries, letters, people, interviews, journals and photos) o Identify library and medial resources (videos, electronic resources, periodicals and books) o Identify artifacts (building structures and materials, works of art representative of cultures, fossils, pottery, tools, clothing, musical instruments)