Elementary Curriculum

Kindergarten Social Studies: Me and My World

Kindergarten social studies curriculum was developed by Kindergarten teachers to reflect the integrated nature of content and skill development at this grade level. The curriculum aligns with our literacy approach and draws from performance standards in social studies. Across four thematic units, students will use their reading, writing, listening, drawing, and speaking skills to learn about themselves and their world. Opportunities for play-based learning intersect with social studies lessons throughout the year.

Kindergarten social studies units include:

• Me, My Family, and My Friends

• My School and My Community

• The World Around Me

Grade 1 Social Studies: My School and Family

First grade social studies is organized around the themes of history, civics, geography, economics, and culture. Students build foundational knowledge and skills in these areas by exploring the structure and function of their school and family. Students also begin to learn about the importance of civic and historical leaders as well as national landmarks and symbols. The social studies curriculum aligns with the language arts program to build upon literacy skills and understandings.

First grade social studies units include:

• My School and Family

• Exploring the United States

Grade 2 Social Studies: My Community

Second grade social studies is organized around the themes of history, civics, geography, economics, and culture. Students build foundational knowledge and skills in these areas by exploring the structure and function of a variety of communities. Students learn about our local community in Glastonbury as well as community leaders around the world. The social studies curriculum aligns with the language arts program to build upon literacy skills and understandings.

Second grade social studies units include:

• Exploring Communities

• Exploring Glastonbury

• Community Leaders

Grade 3 Social Studies: World Communities

Third grade social studies is organized around the themes of history, civics, geography, economics, and culture. Students build knowledge and skills in these areas as they examine the global community and its interdependence more generally, in addition to specific case studies of two national communities. The social studies curriculum reinforces the world languages curriculum and aligns with the language arts program to build upon literacy skills and understandings.

Third grade social studies units include:

• Our Global Community

• Exploring Spain

• Exploring China

Grade 4 Social Studies: Connecticut and Our Nation

Fourth grade social studies is organized around the themes of history, civics, geography, economics, and culture. Students build knowledge and skills in these areas as they examine Connecticut’s past and present before beginning to explore the five regions of the United States. The social studies curriculum aligns with the language arts program to build upon literacy skills and understandings.

Fourth grade social studies units include:

• Exploring Connecticut

• Exploring the Regions of the United States

Grade 5 Social Studies: United States History

Fifth grade social studies is organized around the themes of history, civics, geography, economics, and culture. Students build knowledge and skills in these areas as they examine key turning points in United States history with opportunities to adopt the lens of Glastonbury history within each unit of study. Field experiences at the Historical Society of Glastonbury’s Welles-Shipman-Ward Property and the Museum on the Green are included in the fifth grade curriculum as an in-school experience titled “First Peoples of Glastonbury.” The social studies curriculum aligns with the language arts program to build upon literacy skills and understandings.

Fifth grade social studies units include:

• Three Worlds Meet

• The Colonial Experience

• Tension, War, and Independence

• The Constitution

• Going West

• A Nation Divided