Planned Instruction for Social Studies

UpperMorelandSchool District

Planned Instruction for Social Studies

Course: First Grade Social Studies

Focus: Family and Neighborhoods

National Social Studies Standards

NCSS: I Culture

NCSS: IITime, Continuity and Change

NCSS : IIIPeople, Places and Environment

NCSS : IV Individual Development and Identity

NCSS : VI Power, Authority and Governance

NCSS : XCivic Ideals and Practices

Course Description:

The K-5 Social Studies program provides a foundation for developing essential skills enabling students to become active, responsible citizens. Purposeful activities based on essential questions provide opportunities to develop high level thinking skills, integrate concepts across curriculum, and become aware of cultural diversity.

All first grade students will learn about the roles and responsibilities in the family and compare different kinds of families. Students will also learn about the neighborhood in which they live in and the rules that govern their neighborhood.Simple map skills and concepts will be incorporated into instruction. Emphasized topics include orienting places on a map and interpreting simple map symbols.They will gain an understanding of various national holidays celebrated throughout the year.

Specific and measurable objectives directly related to the academic standards to be achieved by the students:

The specific objectives for this course are delineated in the Upper Moreland Township School District Social Studies Scope and Sequence based on the standards set forth in Expectations of Excellence: Curriculum Standards for Social Studies published by the National Council For The Social Studies (NCSS). Specific objectives are also listed in the corresponding Pennsylvania State Standards for History, Geography, Economics, and Government.

Content to be used to reach objectives:

In order to provide a meaningful social studies education that encourages active and differentiated learning a variety of instructional strategies, activities, and materials will be utilized.

Materials:

Supplemental Reading Materials

Instructional Activities:

A standards-based Social Studies program requires the use of a variety of activities to stimulate creative and critical thinking. Below is a list of best practice activities.

Student-centered discussions
Hands-on learning with manipulatives
Student reflection
Various reading strategies
Use of multi-media resources

Estimated Instructional time to be devoted to achieving objectives

36 weeks, 2 to 3 days a week, approximately 2 - 2 ½ hours a week

(Alternating with Science)

Procedure for measurement of student progress on the stated objectives:

A variety of assessments will be used to measure student progress. These include:

Teacher observations
Student response sheets
Performance assessments
Use of multi-media resources
Student reflection/response journal
Student-centered discussions
Super 3 research process

An explanation of how student grades will be determined:

Students will be evaluated in the areas of class work, class participation, and teacher observations.

June 2008