Academics: Social Studies - Troy School District

Social Studies

Grades Kindergarten-12th Grade

Troy School District students develop an understanding of key concepts in the following Social Studies topics: Elementary: Civics, History, Economics, and Geography; Middle School: World Geography, World History & Geography, and Integrated U.S. History; High School: World History & Geography, U.S. History & Geography, Civics, and Economics.

Kinder-5th Grades

Kindergarten Social Studies Curriculum

Kindergarten Curriculum

Unit 1: Civics

Unit 2: History

Unit 3: Economics & Geography

Through the Kindergarten curriculum, "Myself and Others", children learn about the world around them, starting with their own classroom and expanding into their community, country, and world. Through a variety of classroom experiences, students begin to develop skills in history, geography, economics, and civics. Kindergarteners experience how stories, poems, and songs relate to their world. Good citizenship skills are emphasized as students learn to make good choices and help others. Students begin to explore the core democratic values.

1st Grade Social Studies Curriculum

1st Grade Curriculum

Unit 1: Civics

Unit 2: History & Geography

Distinguish Between Producers & Consumers
Distinguish Between Goods & Services
Scarcity & Choice
Why People Trade
How To Earn Money
Why People Use Money
Distinguish Between Past, Present & Future
Investigate Family History
Use Historical Sources to Draw Conclusions About Family and School Life In Past
Compare Life Today to Life In The Past
U.S. Holidays

Unit 3: Geography

The first grade social studies curriculum, “My School and Family,” introduces students to their world as they explore their own school, family, neighborhood, and country. First grade students compare and contrast families and schools of today with those of the past, while discovering the important part natural resources, government, and citizenship play in their lives. Students are taught skills in history, geography, civics, economics, problem solving, and study skills, with literature being used to reinforce these social studies concepts. They learn that although their world consists of diverse peoples, we all have a lot in common. First graders continue to expand their knowledge of citizenship as they explore the core democratic values.

2nd Grade Social Studies Curriculum

2nd Grade Curriculum

Unit 1: Civics

Unit 2: History & Geography

Unit 3: Economics

The social studies curriculum in second grade focuses on the concept of community and includes an in depth study of Troy, past and present. Through interactive experiences, students gain knowledge about their community’s history, government, economics, and geography, while learning problem solving and study skills. Students compare their own community with others around the country and world, discovering similarities and differences. Second grade students continue to explore the core democratic values.

3rd Grade Social Studies Curriculum

3rd Grade Curriculum

Unit 1: Civics

Unit 2: Geography

Unit 3: History & Economics

Unit 3: History

Exploration to Statehood (1837)
Indigenous Beliefs / Histories
Interaction / Modification of Environment
Indigenous / Explorers Interactions
Daily Life in Settlements
Statehood Timeline / Major Events

Unit 3: Economics

Scarcity / Choice / Opportunity Cost
Influence of Incentives
Role of Location / Natural Resources in Economic Development
Entrepreneurs & Natural / Human / Capital Resources à Goods & Services
Entrepreneurship
Specialization & Interdependence
International Economy / Trade

The third grade social studies curriculum focuses on regions. Students begin by examining regional communities in Michigan and then go on to explore the five regions of the United States. Students actively participate in inquiry-based lessons that emphasize knowledge of history, geography, economics, and political science as they compare and contrast the US regions. Third graders continue to expand their knowledge of citizenship as they further explore the core democratic values.

4th Grade Social Studies Curriculum

4th Grade Curriculum

Unit 1: Civics

Unit 2: History & Economics

Unit 2: History

Statehood (1837) to Present
Economic Development & Resources
Economic Activity in Past & Present
Underground Railroad
Automobile Industry Beginnings
Emergence of Labor Movement
Threats to Natural Resources / Govt Response

Unit 2: Economics

Good / Services & Economic Questions
Characteristics of Market Economies
Positive / Negative Incentives
Substitute / Complementary Goods
Specialization & Division of Labor
Competition: Buyers & Sellers
Role of Money in Exchange of Goods & Services
Factors of Unemployment / Employment

Unit 3: Geography

Fourth grade students take part in an in-depth study of Michigan’s geography, history, economics, and government. Students are given the opportunity to discover differences and similarities between Michigan and other states. Students use knowledge of core democratic values to take a stand on current public policy issues.

5th Grade Social Studies Curriculum

5th Grade Curriculum

Unit 1: Beginnings to 1620

Unit 2: Colonization & Settlement - 1585-1763

Unit 2:

Colonization & Settlement 1585-1763

European Struggle For Control
- Southern / New England / Middle Colonies
- Patterns of Settlement
- Impact of Geography / Economies
- Human Interactions / Economies
European Slave Trade & Slavery in Colonial America
- Triangular Trade Routes / Goods & People
- Middle Passage
- Life of Enslaved
- Maintenance of Culture & Histories
Life in Colonial America
- Daily Lives & Differing Perspectives
- Emerging Labor Forces
- Regional Differences

Unit 3: Revolution & New Nation - 1754-1800

Unit 3:

Revolution & New Nation 1754-1800

French & Indian War
Cause / Effect of Major Events
Differing Views on Representative Government
Role of 1^st & 2^nd Continental Congress
Declaration of Independence
Key Players
Revolution & Its Consequences
- Advantages / Disadvantages
- Course of War / Treaty of Paris
Creating The Constitution
- Articles of Confederation / Challenges /
- Constitutional Convention / Compromise / Slavery
- Ratification / Federalism / Bill of Rights

Students in fifth grade study the historical development of the United States, from the settlement by native peoples through colonization and, later, the American Revolution. They focus on the major events and people that have impacted our country's development. Fifth graders are introduced to ways in which business and industry have affected the economy over the years. Through interactive lessons, geography, problem solving, and study skills are expanded. Students also increase analytical skills by taking a position on an issue, and writing persuasive arguments on topics of social relevance. Fifth grade students further their knowledge and understanding of core democratic values upon which our government is based.

First page of the PDF file: New Chart K-5 Social Studies and Science Sequence

6th Grade

6th Grade: Social Studies 6

Social Studies 6 is a geography-based course that introduces students to the physical and human geography of the world. Students will explore patterns of natural and human characteristics and use case studies to examine how the physical environment has provided both benefits and obstacles to human society. In doing so, students will explore how humans have used, adapted, or modified their environment and the consequences. Students will examine a variety of global issues that come from human activities such as migration and settlement, culture and cultural diffusion, population and demographic changes, resource use, and increasing networks of trade and economic interdependence. Students will investigate how local, national, and international governmental and non- governmental organizations respond to contemporary issues. The different regions of the world will be used to illuminate examples of how these global issues or problems affect people in places around the world. They will deepen their understanding of the disciplines of history, geography, economics and political science. Students will explore how all of these social studies fields are both complementary and interdependent.

First page of the PDF file: Social_Studies_Less_More_Chart_021623

7th Grade

7th Grade: Social Studies 7

The seventh grade social studies curriculum focuses on ancient world history and geography with a deliberate focus on the content literacy. Students investigate human history from the beginning until around 1500. They chronologically explore major and significant changes through each era. Students learn about the earliest humans and explore early migration and settlement patterns. Students examine how the emergence of pastoral and agrarian societies set the stage for the development of powerful empires, trade networks, and the diffusion of people, resources, and ideas.

* The seventh grade social studies curriculum focuses on ancient world history/geography with deliberate focus on content literacy.

8th Grade

8th Grade: American History 8

The purpose of this course is to develop the student's understanding of the heritage that shaped the United States as a democratic nation. United States history is surveyed from the time of the Native Americans to 1877 by looking at political, economic, and social changes of our nation. Native Americans, exploration and colonization will be reviewed. The American Revolution, formation of our national government, westward movement, and the Civil War and Reconstruction will be studied in detail. The course will periodically include the study of Michigan history and U.S. foreign affairs. The study of American history will prepare students to become responsible citizens.