Social Studies

Below are the Social Studies Standards we focus on throughout the school year at each grade level.  These standards are in direct alignment with the Colorado Academic Standards and the curriculum outlined by Douglas County School District.


Kindergarten
Social Studies

History

  • Ask questions, share information and discuss ideas about the past

  • The first component in the concept of chronology is to place information in sequential order

Geography

  • People belong to different groups and live in different settings around the world that can be found on a map or globe

Economics

  • Ownership as a component of economics

  • Discuss how purchases can be made to meet wants and needs  

Civics

  • Participate in making decisions using democratic traditions

  • Civic participation takes place in multiple groups


1st Grade
Social Studies

History

  • Describe patterns and chronological order of events of the recent past

  • Family and cultural traditions in the United States in the past

Geography

  • Geographic tools such as maps and globes to represent places

  • People in different groups and communities interact with each other and the environment

Economics

  • People work at different types of jobs and in different types of organizations in order to produce goods and services and receive an income

  • Identify short term financial goals   

Civics

  • Effective groups have responsible leaders and team members

  • Notable people, places, holidays and patriotic symbols

2nd Grade
Social Studies

History

  • Identify historical sources and utilize the tools of a historian

  • People in the past influenced the history of neighborhoods and communities

Geography

  • Use geographic terms and tools to describe space and place

  • People in communities manage, modify, and depend on their environment

Economics

  • The scarcity of resources affects the choices of individuals and communities

  • Apply decision-making processes to financial decision making   

Civics

  • Responsible community members advocate for their ideas

  • People use multiple ways to resolve conflicts or differences

3rd Grade
Social Studies

History

  • Use a variety of sources to distinguish historical fact from fiction

  • People in the past influenced the development and interaction of different communities and regions

Geography

  • Use various types of geographic tools to develop spatial thinking

  • The concept of regions is developed through an understanding of similarities and differences in places

Economics

  • Describe producers and consumers and how goods and services are exchanged

  • Describe how to meet short-term financial goals   

Civics

  • Respecting the views and rights of others as components of a democratic society

  • The origin, structure and function of local government

4th Grade
Social Studies

History

  • Organize a sequence of events to understand the concepts of chronology and cause and effect in the history of Colorado

  • The historical eras, individuals, groups, ideas, and themes in Colorado history and their relationships to key events in the United States

Geography

  • Use several types of geographic tools to answer questions about the geography of Colorado

  • Connections within and across human and physical systems are developed

Economics

  • People responded to positive and negative incentives

  • The relationship between choice and opportunity cost   

Civics

  • Analyze and debate multiple perspectives on an issue

  • The origins, structure, and functions of the Colorado government

5th Grade
Social Studies

History

  • Analyze historical sources from multiple points of view to develop an understanding of historical context

  • The historical eras, individuals, groups, ideas, and themes in North America from 1491 through the founding of the United States government

Geography

  • Use various geographic tools and sources to answer questions about the geography of the United States

  • Causes and consequences of movement

Economics

  • Government and market structures influence financial institutions

  • Utilizing financial institutions to manage personal finances   

Civics

  • The foundations of citizenship in the United States

  • The origins, structure, and functions of the United States government