Social Studies - 2nd Grade
	Course Preface Printable Version (pdf)

 

Core Standards of the Course

Standard 1
(Culture): Students will recognize and describe how people within their community, state, and nation are both similar and different.

Objective 1
Examine and identify cultural differences within the community.

1. Explain the various cultural heritages within their community.
   
2. Explain ways people respect and pass on their traditions and customs.
   
3. Give examples of how families in the community borrow customs or traditions from other cultures.
   

Objective 2
Recognize and describe the contributions of different cultural groups in Utah and the nation.

1. Identify various cultural groups within the state and the nation.
   
2. Describe contributions of cultural groups to our state and nation.
   
3. Explain ways American Indians and immigrants have shaped both Utah's and America's culture (e.g., names of places, food, customs, celebrations).
   
4. Compare and contrast elements of two or more cultures within the state and nation (e.g., language, food, clothing, shelter, traditions, and celebrations).
   

Standard 2
(Citizenship): Students will recognize and practice civic responsibility in the community, state, and nation.

Objective 1
Examine civic responsibility and demonstrate good citizenship.

1. Describe characteristics of being a good citizen through the examples of historic figures and ordinary citizens.
   
2. Explain the benefits of being a U.S. citizen (e.g., responsibilities, freedoms, opportunities, and the importance of voting in free elections).
   
3. Identify and participate in a local civic activity. (e.g. community cleanup, recycling, walkathons, voting).
   
4. Identify state and national activities (e.g., voting, Pledge of Allegiance, holidays).
   

Objective 2
Identify individuals within the school community and how they contribute to the school's success.

1. Identify the roles that people have in the school and explain the importance of each member.
   
2. Demonstrate respect for the school and the school community.
   

Objective 3
Investigate and show how communities, state, and nation are united by symbols that represent citizenship in our nation.

1. Explain the significance of various community, state, and national celebrations (e.g., Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving).
   
2. Identify community and state symbols, documents and landmarks (e.g., city hall, county courthouse, state capitol, Utah State Constitution, flag, holidays).
   
3. Identify and explain the significance of various national symbols, documents, and landmarks (e.g., Declaration of Independence, Constitution, flag, Pledge of Allegiance, national monuments, national capitol building).
   

Standard 3
(Geography): Students will use geographic tools and skills to locate and describe places on earth.

Objective 1
Identify common symbols and physical features of a community, and explain how they affect people's activities in that area.

1. Identify community traffic signs and symbols, and know their meanings (e.g., stop sign, hazard symbols, pedestrian crossing, bike route, recreational, blind or deaf child signs).
   
2. Describe how geographic aspects of the area affect a community and influence culture (e.g., river, mountain, and desert).
   
3. Describe ways in which people have modified the physical environment in a community (e.g., building roads, clearing land for homes, and mining).
   

Objective 2
Demonstrate geographic skills on a map and a globe.

1. Identify and use information on a map and on a globe (e.g., map key or legend, simple grid systems, physical features, compass rose).
   
2. Compare and contrast the difference between maps and globes.
   
3. Locate your city, the State of Utah, and the United States on a variety of maps or on a globe.
   
4. Locate and label the following on a map or a globe: the seven continents, the five oceans, the poles, and the equator.
   
5. Using a map or a globe, link cultures/nationalities within your community to their place of origin.
   

Standard 4
(Financial Literacy): Students will explain how the economy meets human needs through the interaction of producers and consumers.

Objective 1
Describe how producers and consumers work together in the making and using of goods and services.

1. Define and explain the difference between producing and consuming.
   
2. Explain ways in which people can be both consumers and producers of goods and services.
   
3. Recognize that people supply goods and services based on what people want.
   
4. Identify examples of technology that people use (e.g., automobiles, computers, telephones).
   
5. Identify how technology affects the way people live (work and play).
   

Objective 2
Describe the choices people make in using goods and services.

1. Explain the goods and services that businesses provide.
   
2. Explain the services that government provides.
   
3. Explain different ways to pay for goods and services (i.e., cash, checks, credit cards).
   
4. Explain how work provides income to purchase goods and services.
   
5. Explain reasons and ways to save money (e.g., to buy a bicycle or MP3 player, piggy bank, bank, credit union, savings account).
   

 

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