Social Studies and History
Cross-Curricular Teaching and Learning
The Lower School Social Studies curriculum has been thoughtfully designed to guide students through the process of developing a strong sense of self, allowing them to connect to their peers, families, communities, country, and our diverse world. The common strands of citizenship, history, civics, geography, and social-emotional health are presented in age-appropriate ways using relevant literature, artifacts, technology, field learning, and research. In Third Grade students learn with a global focus.
Social Studies themes and concepts are frequently integrated with other subject areas, including Language Arts, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Spanish, and Science.
By Grade Level:
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Kindergarten
The Kindergarten curriculum includes strands of history, economics, civics, and geography. Students use clocks, calendars, schedules, and written records to record or locate events in time. They practice the concept of trade. Students learn that positions of authority carry responsibilities and should be respected. They have opportunities to carry out responsibilities in the classroom. A foundation is laid for understanding the nature and uses of maps, globes, and other geo-graphics, with a focus on exploring natural habitats like the coral reef, Artic Circle and rain forest. The classroom comes to life as students build habitats while refining fine and gross motor skills. -
First Grade
The First Grade curriculum includes strands of history, economics, civics, and geography.Students bring their social studies closer to home through connections students make with each other, their community, their country, and their world. Students are able to develop basic mapping and geography skills, study the lives and impact of important historical figures, explore historical events, and develop an appreciation for cultural diversity. Quality literature and a variety of web-based activities provide the basis for our exploration of what it means to be a member of a community. -
Second Grade
The Second Grade curriculum includes strands of history, economics, civics, and geography.Social studies builds on our students’ civic understanding with the exploration of American holidays, past and present, leading to a greater understanding of communities, our country, government, rules/laws and different cultures coming together to create one. Biography reading is an important part of second grade social studies. -
Third Grade
The Third Grade curriculum includes strands of history and geography. Students delve into World Geography through readings and observations, and become familiar with a variety of maps. Each continent is "visited" through map work, non-fiction readings, and fictional selections from the area. Technology is a wonderful resource in Third Grade that brings Geography to life in a variety of global connections and interactions. -
Fourth Grade
The Fourth Grade curriculum includes strands of history, geography, economics, and civics.Fourth Grade spends the year studying Maryland history beginning with Native American life before colonization. They follow John Smith’s discovery and mapping of the Chesapeake Bay which ties seamlessly with Fourth Grade Bay Studies Science Curriculum.
