Social Studies
First Graders learn about how groups work as well as how they make decisions. They learn about leadership on many levels and examine a variety of examples of leadership through literature and informational texts. Students discuss the meaning of citizenship and citizens rights and responsibilities.They explore how the concepts of unity and diversity shape life in the United States. This is accomplished through inquiry into families and national symbols. Finally, first graders explore a variety of maps and they learn to read and construct maps.
- Classroom Community and Groups
- Leadership
- Families
- National Symbols
- Mapping
Grade 2 students study the geography of the world. Students begin by learning about maps and landforms. They look at how land influences how people live. Grade 2 students take a trip around the world as they study the physical and human characteristics of each continent. Students investigate reasons why people move or settle in particular places, how they keep cultural traditions alive, and how they use resources.
- Reading and Making Maps
- Geography of the World
- Migrations and Cultures
Grade 3 students study Massachusetts and New England. Through inquiry students learn about the culture of Native Peoples and their interactions with European explorers and settlers. Grade 5 students study the diverse voices of Massachusetts to include indigenous people, slaves, and early settlers. Students learn about the ideas about self-government in the colony of Massachusetts that led to rebellion against Great Britain, the causes and consequences of the American Revolution for Massachusetts. Grade 3 students also research the community of Westborough.
- Geography and Native People of Massachusetts
- The People of Massachusetts (Native Peoples, Pilgrims, Puritans, and Enslaved People)
- Massachusetts Before, During, and After the American Revolution
- Westborough
Students learn about classroom democracy in the context of what it means to be a responsible citizen. Students ask and answer questions about literature and informational social studies texts read aloud, and act out or give examples of characters who show fairness, friendship, kindness, responsibility, and respect for one another. Kindergarteners also learn about diversity through studying traditions and celebrations in their community. They study unity by beginning to look at national symbols. Kindergarteners learn about community helpers through inquiry, play, and interviewing a variety of community helpers in their community. In geography, students also explore maps and globes.
- Classroom and Citizenship
- Shared Traditions and Civic Holidays
- National Symbols
- Inquiry into Maps and Globes
- Community Helpers
