Social Studies 1
Description
Melamed Academy’s Elementary Social Studies curriculum is designed to give students a comprehensive overview of all key concepts in an exciting and experience-based learning environment.
Core curricular standards are covered in weekly installments. Text-based lessons include audio support to support developing readers. As the student reads, he answers quick comprehension-check questions and scores points in his “game” and earns prizes.
Multimedia, pictures, maps, and videos round out the instructional part of the lesson. Next, the students participate in activities and projects related to the units. Virtual field trips zoom the students to the site of the action, as they explore virtual exhibits, museums, and faraway locations.
Units include:
Week 1: Welcome to School
Students will learn about the American flag, the Pledge of Allegiance and the history of Labor Day. They will also discuss the importance of being kind to others.
Week 2: Location and Distance
Students will learn the locations of various places in their community. They will also discuss fair ways to make decisions.
Week 3: Rules and Responsibility
Students will discuss similarities and differences in rules and responsibilities at home and at school. They will also learn about responsibilities of authority figures at home and school.
Week 4: Good Citizens
Students will understand some basic civic values (e.g., fair play, honesty, sportsmanship) and learn about some ways to handle things if they are bullied.
Week 5: Time
Students will understand broad categories of time (e.g., past, present, and future) and will apply calendar time to events in their school and community.
Week 6: History
Students will discuss what history is and how they can learn about history. They will also discuss family traditions and expand their knowledge of Columbus Day.
Week 7: Past, Present, and Future
Students will learn to order events sequentially and use vocabulary that indicates sequence. They will also learn the meaning of past, present and future.
Week 8: Changes in Transportation
Students will compare life now with life in the past. They will refer to a primary source photograph and locate physical features on a map.
Week 9: Fact or Fiction
Students will distinguish between fact and fiction and recognize the difference between real people and fictional characters.
Week 10: The First Thanksgiving
Students will expand their knowledge of the history of this American holiday. They will discuss reasons the pilgrims came to America and what life was like for them in a new land.
Week 11: Maps
Students will learn about the parts and purposes of maps. They will identify physical features on maps and globes.
Week 12: Earth
Students will learn about land forms and bodies of water found on Earth. They will become familiar with a globe and learn to point out the continent, country and state where they live on a map or globe.
Week 13: Who’s in Charge?
Students will learn about authority figures at home, in school and in the community. They will also learn examples of power without authority.
Week 14: I Am Responsible
Students will describe the characteristics of responsible citizenship. They will explain how decisions can be made and conflicts can be resolved in fair ways.
Week 15: Celebrate America
Students will expand their knowledge of how American symbols and patriotic activities reflect the shared values, principles and beliefs of Americans. They will also discuss how diversity and respect for others help make America a great place to live.
Week 16: American Monuments
Students will expand their knowledge of important buildings, statues and monuments associated with American history. They will identify people from the past who have shown character ideals and principles.
Week 17: Patriotism and Presidents
Students will expand their knowledge of presidents and other patriotic men and women in the U.S. prior to 1880 (e.g., George Washington, Betsy Ross, Crispus Attucks).
Week 18: Rights and Responsibilities
Students will learn about major elected officials (e.g., president, governor) and understand that there are sources of authority for those who make laws and rules.
Week 19: Communities
Students will learn about ways location, weather and the environment affect people in different communities. They will compare life in the U.S. with life in other places.
Week 20: Changes in Communities
Students will expand their knowledge of the ways location and the environment affect people. They will understand that people make choices based on scarce resources.
Week 21: Goods and Services
Students will know the differences among buyers, sellers and producers and between goods and services. They will recognize that money can be used in the exchange of goods and services.
Week 22: Jobs People Do
Students will expand their knowledge of different types of work benefit families and communities. They will discuss how human resources are used to produce goods and services. 6.1.4.B.1,6.1.4.C.5, 6.1.4.C.6, 6.1.4.C.7, 6.1.4.D.20
Week 23: Money and Trade
Students will learn ways people exchange goods and services, including bartering and using money. They will also identify goods that come from other countries and discuss different ways to save money.
Week 24: Spend or Save?
Students will recognize the importance of saving money and will understand that an opportunity cost is giving up one thing for another.
