- It is expected that students in elementary school will analyze events and issues in Connecticut history, geography, economics, and civics before Grade 5.
- It is expected that students in fifth grade will analyze events and issues in American history beginning with and including the first settlements in North America up to the American Revolution.
- It is expected that elementary school, middle school, and high school students will all use local and state history as a window into larger national historical themes.
- It is expected that students in elementary school, middle school, and high school will analyze a variety of viewpoints and perspectives on historical topics studied in the course of the year.
Perspectives and Diversity in Our World
- Analyze the ways in which our school and community are diverse.
- Examine different forms of cultural expression, including art, literature, music, film, dance, and other forms of fine and performing arts.
- Explore the different roles played by members of the community.
Using Evidence to Learn About Our Past
- Identify different types of sources of information about our families, school, and community (written documents, photos, online, newspapers, film, museums, fiction).
- Describe what is learned from a specific photo, newspaper, museum, or other source.
- Identify the author of a source.
The Role of Geography
- Explore the settlement patterns of people in our community.
- Analyze the impact of physical geography on our school and community (hills, rivers, trees, weather).
The Way We Live Today
- Identify the different types of communities that exist in Connecticut (urban, suburban, rural).
- Explore the resources, facilities, and businesses in a students’ community and their purposes (schools, parks, town hall, stores, community center).
Democratic Principles and Values
- Identify key American democratic principles and values such as liberty, freedom, justice, and equality.
Connecting the Past and the Present
- Identify ways in which the lives of people in the past from the community are similar to, and different from, people today (food, clothing, housing, jobs, education, leisure activities).
The Relationship between Family, School, and Community
- Explore personal history and relationships with family, school, and community to better understand culture and its importance in shaping students’ lives.
Citizenship in Our Community
- Explore the importance of civic virtues and roles within the community that support citizenship.
- Examine the relationship between the roles of citizens and the functioning of a community.
Our Needs as a Community
- Explore the difference between wants and needs and how a lack of resources affects everyone.
- Analyze basic functions of earning/spending and the role of money while broadening their perspective of the world.
Geography and Maps
- Examine map features and functions while drawing conclusions and comparing various locations.
- Explore man-made and geographical landforms and how we use and need maps.