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Social Studies

​​This area of learning includes big ideas related to students’ early understanding of social studies concepts. These big ideas support the development of concepts related to history, geography, economics, and civics.

Your child’s teacher will measure your student’s level of understanding and skill through a variety of classroom activities which may include using words and phrases related to time and chronology, describing national holiday symbols, stating the difference between a map and a globe, and describing how money is used to purchase goods and services. Please contact your child's teacher for social studies activities that will help you support your child at home.​


Big Idea

A kindergarten student will demonstrate an understanding of basic historical concepts. 


​Beginning
​Emerging
​Developing
​Demonstrating
​Exceeding
​Student identifies some (at least 3 of each) national holidays and symbols.

Student often requires support and guidance to correctly use words and phrases related to chronology and time.
​Student identifies most (6 or more of each) national holidays and symbols.

Student sometimes requires support and guidance to correctly use words and phrases related to chronology and time.
​Student identifies all national holidays and symbols.

Student occasionally requires support and guidance to correctly use words and phrases related to chronology and time. 
​Student describes the people and/or events celebrated on national holidays and associates American symbols with historical figures.

Student rarely requires support and guidance to correctly use words and phrases related to chronology and time correctly. 
​Student compares and contrasts the meaning and symbols of American holidays chronologically.

Student consistently and correctly uses words and phrases related to chronology and time.

Big Idea

A kindergarten student will demonstrate an understanding of basic concepts of geography. 



​Beginning
​Emerging
​Developing
​Demonstrating
​Exceeding
​Student identifies a map and a globe.

Student states the country in which he/she lives.
​Student identifies land and water on a map and globe.

Student names the state in which he/she lives. 
​Student explains the difference between a map and a globe.

Student states the city in which he/she lives. 
​Student describes in detail how maps and globes show features smaller than they actually are.

Student names the street on which he/she lives. 
​Student identifies a compass rose and the cardinal directions, North, South, East, and West.

Student states the street address, city, state, and country in which he/she lives.

Big Idea

A kindergarten student will demonstrate an understanding of good citizenship.



​Beginning
​Emerging
​Developing
​Demonstrating
​Exceeding
​Student identifies classroom rules.
​Student explains why and how rules are made. 
​Student explains how and why following rules makes you a good citizen. 
​Student states examples of positive character traits exhibited by good citizens such as honesty, patriotism, courtesy, respect, pride, and self-control. 
​Student describes examples of positive character traits exhibited by good citizens such as honesty, patriotism, courtesy, respect, pride, and self-control and explains how these are reflected by following rules.

Big Idea

A kindergarten student will demonstrate an understanding of basic economic concepts. 


​Beginning
​Emerging
​Developing
​Demonstrating
​Exceeding
​Student describes the work people do.
​Student explains that people earn income by working. 
​Student distinguishes between goods and services.

Student identifies that U.S. coins and dollar bills (paper money) are used as currency. 
​Student describes how money is used to purchase goods and services. 
​Student explains that people must make choices in what they do and how they spend their money.