History/ Social Studies Curriculum Overview

Preschool

Living, Learning, and Working Together

 

At the preschool and kindergarten level learning in history and social science is built on children’s experiences in their families, school, community, state, and country.  The picture books chosen for reading aloud, the stories told, and the songs they hear or learn are basic components of the curriculum.  Children listen to stories about the people and events we celebrate in our national holidays and learn why we celebrate them.  They also become familiar with our national symbols to help them develop a civic identity.(MA History and Social Science Framework 2003)

Civics

Geography

History

Economics

Overarching Question:

 

Why do people make rules?

 

Enduring Understandings:

 

We can all be respectful, kind and welcoming in out class.

 

We can identify and celebrate similarities and differences about ourselves.

 

Rules are made to keep ourselves, each other, and our materials safe.

 

We all help to create a safe and comfortable classroom community.

 

We all have a right to express our feelings and opinions.

 

We all have a right to participate in making some of our classroom decisions and rules.

 

Teachers are leaders in the classroom.

 

 

 

 

 

Overarching Question:

 

Where are we?


Enduring Understandings:

 

I live in ______________________

            Name of town

 

Our school is in ____________________

                        Name of town

 

A map is a symbol that represents a place.

 

Geography uses special words to describe where things are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overarching Question:

 

How do things change over time?

 

 

 

Enduring Understandings:

 

People change over time – physically and in other ways (e.g. learning new skills, etc)

 

People’s lives change over time.

 

We have routines for different times of the day.

Overarching Question:

 

How do we get what we  want and need?

 

Enduring Understandings:

 

Some people in my family work.

 

People work for a variety of reasons.

 

We can get what we want with money, by trading, by making it, and by reusing things.

 

Limited resources can be shared in different ways:  waiting your turn, dividing, using something together

 

 

.