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Social Studies Curriculum Social Studies - 2nd Grade (2024)
Lesson Plans

Strand 2: Geography

Students develop an understanding of the relationship between people and their physical environment using geographic tools, technology, and map skills.

Compelling Questions:

  • Why do people use maps?
  • How is learning to read a map similar to and different from learning to read a story?
  • What are different ways our natural environment helps meet human needs of living, working, and playing?
  • What relationships do you, your family, and your community have with the vegetation, animal life, and physical features of your region?


Standard 2.2.7

On a map of the world, locate where their families or other families in the community historically came from. With support, curate and share information about the traditional food, cultural customs, recreation, religion, and music of that country and/or region.
  • Off to See the World!
    This activity includes several games that use the atlas and the globe.
  • Paiute Storied Rocks
    Read Paiute picture writing and learn some Native American universal sign language. Compose a new song by rearranging parts of a known tune. Compare the English and Southern Paiute languages.
    This lesson was written in partnership with Dorena Martineau, the Paiute Cultural Resource Director, and Shanandoah Martineau Anderson, a member of the Shivwits band of Paiutes that specializes in Native American universal sign language as well as petroglyphs and pictographs. It was approved by the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah?s Tribal Council. Before teaching this lesson, please explain to your students that there are many symbol Indigenous tribes in the United States and that this lesson specifically focuses on the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah and does not represent other Native American groups. It is the hope of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah that other native tribes will respect their...
  • Predicting with Coyote and the Rolling Stone
    This lesson utilizes the experience-text-relationship method to enhance comprehension and prediction skills of the story "Coyote and the Rolling Stone," a traditional tale shared by the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation. It also helps students become familiar with cultural storytelling and its importance in Native cultures. Students will have a brief introduction to the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation and its location in Utah. The lesson includes an experience-eliciting discussion/activity, a discussion about the students' reading of the story, and a discussion relating students' experiences to the content of the story.


UEN logo http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Robert  Austin and see the Social Studies website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - Jennifer  Throndsen.

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 Board 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 Board of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.