social studies

Grade 2

Overview

Students are given the opportunity to study, discuss and ask questions about the geography and history of the United States. The people, landforms, and climate across the country are just a few of the focus areas in grade 2. They will gain an understanding of what makes our country and its people so unique. They work collaboratively and demonstrate critical thinking skills as well as creativity throughout the units.

Unit 1

Geography Matters! The Earth's Land and Water

In this integrated Social Studies and Science Unit students will learn about Earth’s landforms and water features and how they affect the way that people live. Geography skills are taught to develop students spatial thinking and their ability to use geographic tools to describe the organization of people, places and environments. Surface features such as mountains, hills, valleys, and plains will examined as well as water features such as oceans, rivers, lakes, and ponds. Students will create models to represent these various features. Students will also understand that water on Earth can be fresh or salt and exist in it’s liquid or solid state. The distribution of water on Earth will be examined. Students will use their knowledge of the Earth's land and its features to analyze how regions form and change. Knowledge of New Jersey and United States geography are emphasized with a goal of enhancing not only name-place recognition, but to also foster an understanding of relationships between people and environments.

Unit 2

Making Changes: Past & Present

Students will continue to develop their understanding of continuity and change over time as they consider the impact of significant historical people on U.S. and NJ History. They will learn that patriots and good citizens have helped to shape our community, state, and nation and that decisions made in the past or present have consequences for the future. They will explore basic concepts of American cultural values, including social responsibility, justice, diversity, tolerance, respect, and equality and identify ways they can demonstrate leadership in their home and community.

Unit 3

Immigration

Students follow the journey many immigrants took through Ellis Island to America. Students learn about the challenges that these individuals faced years ago. They understand that the immigration process helped to mold our country into a unique community of many cultures. Students participate in discussions and activities that encourage them to reflect on these processes and experiences.

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