Hartford School District

Social Studies Curriculum

Grade 1

Pilgrims and Native Americans-History
Enduring Understandings - Students develop an understanding of the differences between the past and the present and the reasons for the differences
1st GE's / Essential Questions / Knowledge and Skills / Sample Activities and Resources
1-2:8
Students connect the past with the present.
1-2:9
Students show and understanding of how humans interpret history. / What are the differences between the life of a pilgrim and present day Americans? / Classify objects from long ago and today.
Explore objects and looking closely at similarities, differences, and change.
Describe ways that school life has both changed and stayed the same over time.
Collect information about the past. / Read informational texts about Pilgrims.
Generate a focus statement. Gather facts and sort facts.
Research and make a class big book
Make a chart comparing life then and life now.

Grade 1

Holiday Traditions-Cultural Geography
Enduring Understandings - People in the same community can have different holiday traditions based on their cultural background.
1st GE's / Essential Questions / Knowledge and Skills / Sample Activities and Resources
1-2:13 Students analyze how and why cultures continue and change over time. / What are the differences and similarities between the students’ family holiday traditions? / Identify ways a culture is expressed through celebrating holiday traditions. / Read holiday books about different cultures.
Interview family members about personal holiday traditions.
Record personal holiday tradition by drawing picture, dictating a report or writing a report
Make a graph comparing the different holiday class traditions

Grade 1

Community Workers - Civics, Government and Society and Economics
Enduring Understandings - A community is a system of related people with various jobs and responsibilities.
1st GE's / Essential Questions / Knowledge and Skills / Sample Activities and Resources
1-2:17
Students examine how access to various institutions affects justice, reward and power.
1-2:19
Students show understanding of the interconnectedness between government and the economy / How do community workers (fire fighters, police officers, teachers, doctors) promote the common good? / Identify ways in which local institutions promote the common good (police enforce rules and laws, fire department, ambulances)
Identify jobs people do in the community and the value these jobs bring to the community / Read books about different community jobs.
Have community members visit to talk about their jobs.
Make a big book about people’s jobs and how the jobs promote the common good.

Grade 1

Math Farm Unit -Economics
Enduring Understandings - Farms and farmers produce food goods and have an integral role in the economic sustainability of a rural and world community.
1st GE's / Essential Questions / Knowledge and Skills / Sample Activities and Resources
1-2:18 Students show an understanding the interaction /interdependence between humans, the environment and the economy.
1-2:20 Students make economic decisions as a consumer, producer, saver, investor and citizen. / Where does food come from?
How is food produced?
What is a farmer’s job like? / Participate in activities as a buyer or seller.
Discuss where goods come from.( milk- cow bacon- pig)
Identify economic activities that use resources in the local region.(maple syrup production, logging)
Recognize the difference between basic needs and wants
Explain why people earn, spend and save. / During Farm unit, students role play being a famer by planning and buying animals.
Make a chart of farm products.
Read informational books about farm and farm products.
Answer the question Do you want to be a farmer?

Grade 1

School Citizenship
Enduring Understandings - Through the discussion of civic issues that arise in school, the students will learn about rules, fairness, and collective decision making. It is not necessary to create individual unit(s) of study.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of their role in society and participate in their school and community in a positive manner.
1-2 GE's / Essential Questions / Knowledge and Skills / Sample Activities and Resources
1-2:14
Students act as citizens.
1-2:15
Students show understanding of various forms of government.
1-2:16
Students examine how different societies address issues of human inter-dependence. / How can we be responsible members of a group?
Why are rules important?
How can we contribute to our classroom, our school, and our community? / Describe what it means to be a responsible member of a group.
Describe his/her role as a member of the group.
Demonstrate positive interaction with group members.
Express his/her point of view on a variety of issues.
Participate in setting and following rules of the group, school and community.
Identify rules or safety laws that solve a specific problem.
Explain why rules and laws are written down.
Identify the consequences of not following rules or laws.
Describing characteristics of good leadership and fair decision-making and how that affects others.
Explain that people have rights and needs.
Identify how the groups to which a person belongs influence how she or he thinks and acts.
Define their own rights and needs – and the rights and needs of others.
Give examples of ways that she or he is similar to and different from others.
Identify examples of interdependence among individuals and groups.
Practice communication skills with individuals and groups.
Describe feelings and situations that might lead to conflict.
Describe ways that people solve problems. / PBiS
Second Step
Responsive Classroom
School-wide Behavior Plan
Class Council
Morning Meeting
I Care Language