Social Studies Curriculum

Grade 2 - Unit 1

 

 

September - November		December - March		April  -  June
Active Citizenship	Rural, Urban and Suburban		Geography of Communities		Change and Interdependence

• Themes, Understandings And Overarching Essential Questions For This Unit
  
• Specific Essential Questions For This Unit
  
• By The End Of This Unit Students Should Know
  
• By The End Of This Unit Students Should Be Able To
  
• Enrichment Resources

Themes, Understandings And Overarching Essential Questions For This Unit

Theme 1: Individual Development and Cultural Identity

• Understanding: All people are similar.  All people are different.
• Essential Question: How do our holidays explain who we are?  (How does culture explain who we are?)

Theme 6: Power, Authority and Governance

• Understanding: American Government exists to help its citizens.
• Essential Questions: What is the role of Government?

Theme 7: Civic Ideals and Practices

• Understanding: American citizens must be informed and involved in their government and communities.
• Essential Questions: What does it mean to be an American?

Theme 8: Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems

• Understanding: Decisions are based on needs, wants and consequences.
• Essential Question: How do our needs and wants affect our decisions?

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Specific Essential Questions For This Unit

Theme 1: Individual Development and Cultural Identity

• Why do we celebrate Constitution Day, Columbus Day, Election Day and Veteran’s Day?

Theme 6: Power, Authority and Governance

• Why do citizens need rules?
• Why do communities collect taxes?

Theme 7: Civic Ideals and Practices

• How do citizens show patriotism toward their country?
• Why do citizens vote?

Theme 8: Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems

• Why do citizens need rules?
• Why do communities collect taxes?

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By The End Of This Unit Students Should Know

Theme 1: Individual Development and Cultural Identity

• Key Ideas:: Constitution Day, Columbus Day, Election Day and Veterans Day are important national holidays.
• Vocabulary: ballot, celebration, courage, election, explorer, hero, history, honor, memorial, monument, parade, president, vote, veteran
• Key People and Places: Christopher Columbus, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, The White House

Theme 6: Power, Authority and Governance

• Key Ideas: We have rules and laws to make sure that we are treated fairly and equally. Governments collect taxes to pay for things that help the community and nation.
• Vocabulary: citizenship, community, currency, environment, equality, expense, goods, government, income, justice, laws, liberty, money needs, revenue, rules, scarcity, service, taxes, wants

Theme 7: Civic Ideals and Practices

• Key Ideas: We show patriotism toward our country in many different ways. Voting is an important right and responsibility in our Government.
• Vocabulary: appreciate, anthem, choice, decision, flag, freedom, loyalty, patriotism, pledge, responsibility, rights, roles, symbol

Theme 8: Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems

• Key Ideas: We have rules and laws to make sure that we are treated fairly and equally. Governments collect taxes to pay for things that help the community and nation.
• Vocabulary: citizenship, community, currency, environment, equality, expense, goods, government, income, justice, laws, liberty, money needs, revenue, rules, scarcity, service, taxes, wants

 

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By The End Of This Unit Students Should Be Able To

Theme 1: Individual Development and Cultural Identity

• Explain the significance of celebrating Constitution Day, Columbus Day, Election Day and Veteran’s Day.

Theme 6: Power, Authority and Governance

• Identify responsibilities of citizens in a community.
• Provide examples of rules and laws and consequences.
• Explain the importance of following rules.
• Identify what government does with money collected from taxes.

Theme 7: Civic Ideals and Practices

• Explain the importance of voting.
• Identify ways of showing patriotism.

Theme 8: Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems

• Identify responsibilities of citizens in a community.
• Provide examples of rules and laws and consequences.
• Explain the importance of following rules.
• Identify what government does with money collected from taxes.

 

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Enrichment Resources

 

 

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