Social Studies Curriculum - Information and Help

Social studies in Washington State contributes to developing responsible citizens in a culturally diverse, democratic society within an interdependent world. Social studies equips learners to make sound judgments and take appropriate actions that will contribute to sustainable development of human society and the physical environment.

Social studies comprises the study of relationships among people, and between people and the environment. Social studies recognizes the challenges and benefits of living in a diverse cultural and ideological society. The resulting interactions are contextualized in space and time and have social, political, economic, and geographical dimensions.

Based on appropriate investigations and reflections within social studies, students develop distinctive skills and a critical awareness of the human condition and emerging spatial patterns and the processes and events that shape them.

Curriculum Information

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
http://www.k12.wa.us/CurriculumInstruct/SocStudies/default.aspx

Essential Academic Learning Requirements:
Civics
http://www.k12.wa.us/curriculumInstruct/SocStudies/civicsEALRs.aspx
Economics
http://www.k12.wa.us/curriculumInstruct/SocStudies/econEALRs.aspx
Geography
http://www.k12.wa.us/curriculumInstruct/SocStudies/geographyEALRs.aspx
History
http://www.k12.wa.us/curriculumInstruct/SocStudies/historyEALRs.aspx
Social Studies Skills
http://www.k12.wa.us/curriculumInstruct/SocStudies/socstudiesskillsEALRs.aspx

Adopted Curriculum

Kindergarten Place (K)
Atlas (K-6)
Family and Friends (1)
People & Places (2)
Communities Around Us (3)
Discovering Washington (4)
Regions and Resources (4)
Our United States (5)
History of US (5/6)
World and Its People (6)

Tips for Helping Students (ABCs of Elementary Social Studies)

These ABC tips will help you support your child during their elementary years.

Ask questions about social studies expectations in your child’s school.
Buy puzzles of the United States and the world. Children will connect the pieces and places.
Congratulate your child when he/she demonstrates good character traits.
Discuss significant and possibly controversial issues with your child when questions arise.
Encourage your child to communicate with family and friends in a variety of ways (postal mail, email, phone).
Find out about groups of which your child may become a member.
Get involved by voting or joining a civic organization.
Help your child understand basic economic principles such as wants, needs, saving and spending.
Inform yourself and your child about events happening around the world.
Join a library with your child.
Keep maps and reference books close at hand.
Listen to questions and comments from your child. These become “teachable moments”.
Make a calendar or timeline to record important family events.
Notice and point out features like rivers, streams, forests and dunes while traveling.
Observe and talk about changes in the environment such as seasons and farming.
Plot family trips on a map. Let your child assist in planning the route.
Question the activities in which your child is involved.
Read non-fiction articles and books related to social studies with your child.
Stay informed on current events.
Tell family stories to build a sense of history.
Urge your child to become an active participant in home, school and community affairs.
Visit museums, historic landmarks and other interesting places in the community with your child.
Work with your child to set up rules at home and to understand their importance.
Xerox and keep safe birth certificates and family records.
Yield results by modeling and expecting good behavior.
Zip through local schedules to locate cultural events and festivals to attend.

PTSA Enrichment Activities

Passport Club

Links