Social Studies: 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
 

Social Studies Storyline

• Kindergarten = Me & My World
• 1st Grade = Me & My School Community
• 2nd Grade = Our Troy Community
• 3rd Grade = Michigan History to 1837
• 4th Grade = Michigan History from 1837 / United States • 5th Grade = U.S. Origin Story (Exploration & Settlement / Colonial Development / American Revolution)

* First 10 Civics lessons in all grade levels includes a focus on Culturally Responsive Read Alouds, Identity, and Community Belonging

Title:  Social Studies Grades 6-12 LESS/MORE Chart

Social Studies Education will involve LESS....

• Rote memorization and recall of facts without context.
• Teacher-focused discussion and instruction.
• Formal summative testing that relies on multiple choice questions to demonstrate knowledge and learning.
• Reliance on textbooks to provide narratives with limited diversity of sources.
• Coverage of content without critical thinking and literacy support.

Social Studies Education will involve MORE....

• Careful use and placement of evidence in context (historical, geographical, etc.).
• Opportunities for student-led inquiry to create personal and shared knowledge and understandings.
• Formative assessments designed around discipline-specific thinking skills and critical content.
• Diverse range of sources to engage students in constructing compelling evidence-based narratives and assertions.
• Depth in compelling content with opportunities for reflection on skill and critical thinking development.

Social Studies Education will involve LESS....

• Rote memorization and recall of facts without context.
• Teacher-focused discussion and instruction.
• Formal summative testing that relies on multiple choice questions to demonstrate knowledge and learning.
• Reliance on textbooks to provide narratives with limited diversity of sources.
• Coverage of content without critical thinking and literacy support.

Social Studies Education will involve MORE....

• Careful use and placement of evidence in context (historical, geographical, etc.).
• Opportunities for student-led inquiry to create personal and shared knowledge and understandings.
• Formative assessments designed around discipline-specific thinking skills and critical content.
• Diverse range of sources to engage students in constructing compelling evidence-based narratives and assertions.
• Depth in compelling content with opportunities for reflection on skill and critical thinking development.

Title:  Social Studies Grades 6-12 LESS/MORE Chart

Social Studies Education will involve LESS....

• Rote memorization and recall of facts without context.
• Teacher-focused discussion and instruction.
• Formal summative testing that relies on multiple choice questions to demonstrate knowledge and learning.
• Reliance on textbooks to provide narratives with limited diversity of sources.
• Coverage of content without critical thinking and literacy support.

Social Studies Education will involve MORE....

• Careful use and placement of evidence in context (historical, geographical, etc.).
• Opportunities for student-led inquiry to create personal and shared knowledge and understandings.
• Formative assessments designed around discipline-specific thinking skills and critical content.
• Diverse range of sources to engage students in constructing compelling evidence-based narratives and assertions.
• Depth in compelling content with opportunities for reflection on skill and critical thinking development.

Title:  Social Studies Grades 6-12 LESS/MORE Chart

Social Studies Education will involve LESS....

• Rote memorization and recall of facts without context.
• Teacher-focused discussion and instruction.
• Formal summative testing that relies on multiple choice questions to demonstrate knowledge and learning.
• Reliance on textbooks to provide narratives with limited diversity of sources.
• Coverage of content without critical thinking and literacy support.

Social Studies Education will involve MORE....

• Careful use and placement of evidence in context (historical, geographical, etc.).
• Opportunities for student-led inquiry to create personal and shared knowledge and understandings.
• Formative assessments designed around discipline-specific thinking skills and critical content.
• Diverse range of sources to engage students in constructing compelling evidence-based narratives and assertions.
• Depth in compelling content with opportunities for reflection on skill and critical thinking development.