Social Studies Curriculum

Elementary (K-6) Frameworks

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Elementary Social Studies Content Overview K-6

K-1: Self, Home, School, Neighborhood With Connections to Larger Spheres When Appropriate

The focus in these grades is on developmentally appropriate skills and content in connection with the things students encounter in their daily lives. Comparing and contrasting here with far away and now with long ago will introduce geographic and historical dimensions to students. Core themes introduced include the ideas of justice, responsibility, diversity, conflict/cooperation, property, place, human/environment relationships, location, participation, authority, and freedom. The program is tied closely to literature and the language arts. Social studies instruction is presented when learner readiness for the ideas is appropriate.

Grade 2: Anchorage Past & Present

Students in the second grade will learn about the Municipality of Anchorage, past and present. This study features the cultural diversity of Anchorage. Students learn about the men and women who have helped to shape the community. Geography and history serve as the core of the program with emphasis upon corresponding skills and themes. Students interpret and create maps and timelines.

Grade 3: Alaska Geography and History

Third grade students examine the state's history. The year begins with a geographic study of the state and then examines the history and cultures of the first Alaskans. The historical and cultural emphasis upon Alaska natives dominate the program for the first semester. With cross-cultural contact from the west and the east, Alaska's history changed. During the second semester, students examine the history of the economy, government, natural resources, people, and other elements important to understanding Alaska's story.

Grade 4: World Geography, Early Civilizations, Exploration/ Encounters, Colonization

World geography is the focus for the first quarter with emphasis upon the geographic themes and map and globe skill development. Using this global context, students then explore selected ancient civilizations including Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, Aztec, Inca, and Mayan. Students study these civilizations to develop geographic, historical, and civic perspectives. Students study the historical connections that developed between other parts of the world and North America. The study of exploration and contact between Native Americans, Europeans, Asians, and Africans includes the many stories and diverse perspectives of history. The age of exploration and encounter leads into the initial phase of the history of the United States up to colonization. Core civic and government themes developed in depth during the fourth grade emphasize authority (rules/laws, power, and leaders), justice (distributive, corrective, and procedural), and privacy.

Grade 5: United States: New Nation, Western Expansion, Nation Divided, Rebirth of a Nation

Fifth grade continues the chronological story of the history of the United States up to 1900. Students study the geography of the United States in greater detail with continued development of map and globe skills. This study includes topics such as the Revolutionary War, development of the United States Constitution, slavery, the Civil War, reconstruction, and westward movement. The year is designed to be an inclusive social, economic, political, and cultural history of the people and events that have helped to shape this nation. Core themes from history, geography, and civics/government are addressed throughout the year.

Grade 6: U. S. & the World: U.S. Turned Inward, U.S. Interactions, Recent History 1955-Present, U.S. Citizenship in a Changing World

The sixth grade program examines the history of the United States during the twentieth century in a global context. Students examine how the United States changed from being isolationist in foreign policy to become a global power, connected to the rest of the world by social, cultural, political, economic, and environmental factors. The World Wars, United Nations, Cold War, Korean War, space program and Vietnam, are all examples of topics that are studied. Current events are analyzed. The story of the United States and its people is a major part of the sixth grade program. For example, students learn how our nation has struggled to have the rights and responsibilities of citizenship extended equally to all men and women in the United States. Thus, the economic, social, political, and cultural history will provide students with a strong U.S. historical context. During the final quarter of the year, students develop a project that draws upon the skills and knowledge they have gained in their social studies program. Students will apply their problem solving and decision making skills to participate and activate their citizenship.

Next section: Social Studies Core Themes K-6 »