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Social Studies Curriculum
Social Studies - Kindergarten
Course Preface Course Preface
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Core Standards of the Course

Standard 1
(Culture): Students will recognize and describe how individuals and families are both similar and different.

Objective 1
Identify how individuals are similar and different.

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  1. Describe and compare characteristics of self and others (e.g., differences in gender, height, language, beliefs, and color of skin, eyes, hair).
  2. Explain how people change over time (e.g., self, others).
  3. Demonstrate respect for each individual.
  4. Explain the elements of culture, including language, dress, food, shelter, and stories.

Objective 2
Recognize and describe how families have both similar and different characteristics.

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  1. Identify family members (i.e., immediate and extended).
  2. Explain family rules and routines.
  3. Describe family members' duties and responsibilities within the family.
  4. Share how families celebrate occasions such as birthdays and holidays.
  5. Explain how families change over time (i.e., past, present, future).
  6. Describe ways that families provide love, care, food, shelter, clothing, companionship, and protection.
Social Studies Vocabulary Students Should Know and Use: compare, rules, routine, similar, different, respect, culture, shelter, change, duty, past, present, future, celebrate, family

Standard 2
(Citizenship): Students will recognize their roles and responsibilities of being a good citizen.

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Objective 1
Demonstrate appropriate ways to behave in different settings.

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  1. Explain why families and classrooms have rules (e.g., examples of rules and consequences).
  2. Demonstrate positive relationships through play and friendship.
  3. Identify examples of individual honesty and responsibility.
  4. Identify examples of honesty, responsibility, patriotism, and courage from history, literature, and folklore, as well as from everyday life (e.g., heroes of diverse cultures).
  5. Demonstrate respect for others, leaders, and the environment.

Objective 2
Identify and demonstrate safe practices in the home and classroom.

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  1. Recite name, address, and telephone number.
  2. Follow safety procedures for school emergencies (e.g., fire drill, earthquake, intruder).
  3. Recognize and explain common traffic symbols.
  4. Identify school personnel to whom students can go to for help or safety.
  5. Identify and articulate the purpose and role of authority figures (e.g., parents, secretary, principal, teacher, librarian, police officers, firefighters, tribal leaders).

Objective 3
Investigate and explain how symbols and songs unite families and classmates.

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  1. Identify school systems and traditions (e.g., mascot, song, events).
  2. Recognize state and national symbols (e.g., state and national flags, bald eagle, seagull, Statue of Liberty).
  3. Learn and sing state and U.S. patriotic songs.
  4. Identify the people and events honored in Utah and U.S. commemorative holidays.
  5. Know the words and meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance.
  6. Identify the rules and etiquette of citizenship (e.g., stand for the flag, hand over heart).
Social Studies Vocabulary Students Should Know and Use: family, consequence, responsibility, honesty, courage, respect, patriotism, leader, environment, safety, symbol, tradition, holiday, citizen, friend, hero, mascot, Pledge of Allegiance, tribal leaders

Standard 3
(Geography): Students will use geographic terms and tools.

Objective 1
Identify geographic terms that describe their surroundings.

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  1. Locate objects in the classroom using the terms near/far, left/right, behind/in front, and up/down.
  2. Identify and describe physical features (e.g., mountain/hill, lake/ocean, river, road/highway).
  3. Make a simple map (e.g., home, home to school, classroom).

Objective 2
Describe the purpose of a map or globe.

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  1. Identify maps and globes.
  2. Distinguish between land and water on maps and globes.
  3. Determine a location by using terms such as near/far, up/down, right/left.
  4. Identify cardinal directions on a map.
Social Studies Vocabulary Students Should Know and Use: near/far, left/right, behind/in front, up/down, hill, mountain, ocean, lake, river, road, highway, map, globe, north, south, east, west, land, water, home, school

Standard 4
(Financial Literacy): Students can explain how humans meet their needs in many ways.

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Objective 1
Recognize that people have basic needs (food, shelter, and clothing) and wants (toys, games, treats).

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  1. Identify the difference between basic wants and needs.
  2. Explain that families have needs and wants.
  3. Describe how basic human needs, such as food, shelter, and clothing, can be met.

Objective 2
Explain that people have jobs and earn money to meet their needs.

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  1. Identify the jobs in the home and in the school.
  2. Explain why people work (i.e., to earn money to buy the things that they need or want).
  3. Describe different types of jobs that people do and the tools and equipment that they use.
  4. Recognize various forms of United States coins and currency.
Social Studies Vocabulary Students Should Know and Use: needs, wants, job, money, earn, tools, coins, currency, shelter

 

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Office of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Office of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.

 

For more information about this core curriculum, contact the USOE Specialist, Robert Austin or visit the Social Studies Home Page. For general questions about Utah's Core Curriculum, contact the USOE Curriculum Director, Sydnee Dickson . UEN Contact Info: 801-581-2999 | 800-866-5852 | Contact Us