History/ Social Studies Curriculum

Overview

Grade 1

 

True Stories and Folktales from America and from Around the World

 

In first grade, children listen to and read folk tales and true stories from America and from around the world. They learn about major historical events, figures, and symbols related to the United States of America and its national holidays and why they are important to Americans. The grade 1 curriculum continues to strengthen children’s identity as American citizens.(MA History and Social Science Curriculum Framework 2003)

Civics

Geography

History

Economics

Overarching Question:

 

How can I be a responsible citizen?

 

Enduring Understandings:

 

Citizens in a community have both rights and responsibilities.

 

Responsible citizens show a variety of positive traits.

 

Rules are made so that everyone is treated fairly.

 

Major holidays are celebrated to remember certain important leaders and events of the past.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overarching Question:

 

Why do we need maps and globes?


Enduring Understandings:

 

A map is a representation of physical space.

 

Symbols and cardinal directions are used to determine where objects and places are located on maps and globes.

 

The United States and Massachusetts can be identified by their physical shapes on maps and globes.

 

The locations of the capital cities of Washington D.C. and Boston are identified on maps by specific symbols

 

The seasons change in the Northern Hemisphere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overarching Question:

 

Why do we need to know about the past?

 

Enduring Understandings:

 

Knowing about the past helps us to better understand our country today.

 

Past and present times are different.

 

There is a sequence to events in history.

 

Major holidays are celebrated to remember certain important leaders and events of the past.

 

The patriotic symbols have specific meanings.

 

The United States of America has people with different ethnic origins, customs, and traditions.

 

Overarching Question:

 

What are wants and needs?  

 

Enduring Understandings:

 

Resources are limited.

 

People make choices because they can not have everything that they want.

 

Goods and services satisfy people’s needs and wants.

 

We depend on others to meet our wants and needs.

 

 

 

 

.