Mayflower - A black and white photo of a large boat

In the pre-k and kindergarten, students begin to understand the foundations of the social studies strands; history, geography, civics, citizenship, and economics. History Literacy: The student will understand that history relates to events and people of other times and places. Students recognize that commemorative holidays honor people and events of the past including Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Washington’s Birthday, and Independence Day. Students identify important American symbols and explain their meanings including United States Flag, the Bald Eagle, the Statue of Liberty, and the Liberty Bell. Students use words and phrases related to chronology and time to explain how things change including before/after and today/tomorrow/yesterday.

In the first grade, students understand chronological sequencing of events by creating basic timelines. Students participate in shared research using biographies and informational text the contributions of historic figures in American history including Squanto, the Pilgrims, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere, Thomas Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, Sacagawea, Daniel Boone, Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington Carver. Students identify the significance of historic places and monuments and describe their connection to real events of the past including the Plimoth Plantation, Mount Vernon, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial. Students commemorate the contributions to the American nation of significant groups including National Hispanic History Month, Native American Heritage Month, and Black History Month.