According to the National Council for the Social Studies, the primary purpose of social studies is to help young people make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.
The social studies curriculum in Plano ISD is aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards set by the Texas Education Agency. The link below provides more information on the standards appropriate for your student.
Unit 1: The Geography of Texas
Students will understand:
Location affects how people live and work
Land and water formations influence how people live
Climate is the usual pattern of weather in a place over time
Plants and animals vary from region to region, depending on a placeโs landforms, elevation, climate, and soils
Unit 2: The Geographic Regions of Texas
Students will understand:
There are four geographic regions of Texas
Each of the four geographic regions of Texas is unique
Unit 3: The Early History of Texas
Students will understand:
American Indians lived in North America before Europeans colonized the continent
People migrate and move to new lands for different reasons
When people move to a new place, they may change that place or be changed in many ways
Many aspects of our present-day culture come from people who moved here long ago
Unit 4: Exploration and Colonization of Texas
Students will understand:
European explorers journeyed through areas that became Mexico, Texas, and the southern United States looking for riches and lands to claim
Spanish settlement and the mixing of Spanish and American Indian cultures resulted in benefits and losses
Tejanos helped with Mexicoโs fight for independence, settling Texas and building frontier communities
Immigrants from the United States settled in Mexican Texas, bringing their culture with them
Unit 5: Revolution and the Republic of Texas
Students will understand:
Texas became a republic after a revolution and rebellion against Mexico
Many Texans and Tejanos fought for the independence of Texas
Unit 6: The Road to Statehood
Students will understand:
Several events led to the annexation of Texas to the United States
The Constitution of 1845 established new laws and rules for the state of Texas
Immigrants came to Texas during the 1800s from many different countries
Disagreements between the United States and Mexico led to war in the mid-1800s
Unit 7: New Challenges for Texas
Students will understand:
Political and economic differences can lead to conflict
When people feel forced to change, making changes becomes more difficult
People will fight to protect their beliefs and way of life
Winning a war may not resolve a conflict once and for all
Unit 8: A Growing Statehood
Students will understand:
Growth and development provide new opportunities to people and businesses in a state
Technological advances change the way people communicate, live, and work
Unit 9: Hard Times at Home and Abroad
Students will understand:
Texas cities and industries grew during the early 1900s
Between 1900 and 1920, Texans dealt with conflicts in Europe
Between 1920 and 1929, a business boom changed the lives of many Texans
Between 1930 and 1945, the Great Depression, a terrible drought, and World War II caused hard times for Texas
After World War II, Texans focused on equal rights and growing industries
Unit 10: Texas Today
Students will understand:
A strong economy involves many interdependent and innovative industries
The rich culture of Texas includes the languages, customs, celebrations, and beliefs of people from many different places
Urbanization brings challenges to the environment that many Texans are working to meet
Unit 11: Texas Government
Students will understand:
Local, state, and national government each have roles and responsibilities
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