Social Studies 2
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 Second Grade
Students will learn about American symbols (e.g., the American Flag and the Bald Eagle) and the proper way to take care of the American flag. They will discuss the importance of being honest.
Week 2: Where is Our Country?
Students will learn the locations of various places in the United States. They will also learn ways to measure and describe distance.
Week 3: Rules and Responsibility
Students will extend and refine their knowledge of rules and the consequences of breaking them. They will learn that people in authority have limits on their authority.
Week 4: Good Citizens
Students learn some qualities of a good citizen and understand the benefits and consequences of fulfilling or not fulfilling their responsibilities. They will learn that privacy is a right guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
Week 5: History and Time
Students will learn that history tells the story of people and events from different times and places. They will also extend their knowledge of calendar time.
Week 6: Technology
The students will learn how to use technology in the media center and classroom. They will also learn about primary sources and how they help us learn about history.
Week 7: Explorers
Students will learn about world explorers (e.g., Christopher Columbus, Ponce de Leon, and Marco Polo) and U.S. explorers (e.g., Lewis and Clark, Sacagawea).
Week 8: North American Indian Nations
Students will learn that American Indians were the first inhabitants of North America. They will learn about American Indian culture.
Week 9: The Pilgrims Come to America
Students will learn about the Mayflower Compact and the hardships the Pilgrims suffered in America, including disease and scarcity. They will also learn how American Indians helped the Pilgrims survive.
Week 10: Changes in Communities
Students will explore ways the daily life of early colonists changed over time and how communities eventually became the cities and towns we live in today.
Week 11: Changes for American Indians
The students will learn about the impact of explorers and settlers on American Indians and how things changed as communities grew.
Week 12: Maps and Globes
Students will learn the purposes of and the differences between maps and globes. They will locate various places (e.g., North and South Poles) on a globe.
Week 13: Using Maps
Students will learn about types of maps. They will identify various locations in North America.
Week 14: Earth
The students will learn to identify the continents, oceans, equator, prime meridian and North and South Poles. They will also learn about using good judgment to be a responsible citizen.
Week 15: Presidents and Patriots
Students will learn about people who have made important contributions to our country’s history. They will also learn about individuals, events and documents that represent the U.S.
Week 16: Celebrate America
Students will discuss the importance of the Statue of Liberty. They will also recognize important American symbols like the Liberty Bell and the World War II memorial. They will learn about the contributions of an American Indian named Chief Joseph, as well as a Hispanic leader named Cesar Chavez.
Week 17: American Cultures
Students will compare and contrast American Indian cultures of the past to cultures found in the U.S. today, including African American, Hispanic and Asian American cultures.
Week 18: Government and Citizenship
The students will learn why people form governments. They will also learn various ways to become an American citizen.
Week 19: Rights and Responsibilities
Students will learn about major elected officials in their community (e.g., mayor, city commissioner). They will understand that rights and responsibilities reinforce each other and promote the common good.
Week 20: Scientists, Artists and Inventors
Students will learn about people from various backgrounds and cultures who made important contributions to our country.
Week 21: Families and Trade
Students will learn how trade helps families around the world meet their basic needs. They will discuss how scarcity affects the choices families make.
Week 22: Resources and Choices
Students will extend and refine their knowledge of human, natural and capital resources and the ways they are used. They will know that there are costs and benefits of making choices.
Week 23: Goods and Services
Students will extend and refine their knowledge of the requirements of various jobs, understand that most people work to produce goods or services, and understand that work provides income.
Week 24: Money and Markets
Students will understand the purpose of markets and the functions of a bank. They will also understand that people in different places depend on each other for goods and services.
