K Social Studies Family
Kindergarten Social Studies
Dear Kindergarten Families;
Welcome to the Ann Arbor Public Schools Family Pages. We hope the information you find here assists you in supporting your child while s/he is learning important skills and concepts throughout the kindergarten year.Three key sources inform the elementary Social Studies program; (1) The Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations, (2) the C3 Framework for College, Career and Civic Life for Social Studies State Standards, and (3) Social Studies Alive!. The Michigan GLCEs define what the state expects students to know and be able to do in Social Studies at the end of each grade level. Social Studies Alive! is the core learning resource used throughout the Ann Arbor Public Schools elementary grades.
To take a deeper look at each unit go to: Atlas: Kindergarten Grade Social Studies
Kindergarten Social Studies Focus: Me and My World
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Who Am I? |
Children learn that there are many ways to describe who they are. Through a series of Writing for Understanding activities, children explore what they look like, what they care about, how they feel, and things they can do. |
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What Is a Family? |
Children explore what makes families special. In a Writing for Understanding activity, children make a book about the “gifts” their family members give to one another, such as laughter and hugs. |
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How Do I Get Along with Others? |
Children explore ways to get along with others. In an Experiential Exercise, they learn firsthand why taking turns is important for getting along. |
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How Do I Make Friends? |
In a series of Social Studies Skill Builders, children learn four skills for making a friend. |
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How Do I Solve Problems with Others? |
Children learn four steps to help them solve problems with others. In a series of Social Studies Skill Builders, they learn and practice how to stop and calm down, talk and listen, think of solutions, and agree on a plan to try. |
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How Can I Be a Good Helper at School? |
In a series of Social Studies Skill Builders, children learn and practice four ways to be “handy helpers.” |
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Lesson 7: What Is in My Neighborhood? |
Children learn that a neighborhood has buildings, outdoor places, and people. In a Problem Solving Groupwork activity, children take on specific roles to design a neighborhood park. |
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Where Am I in the World? |
Children explore the idea that they are part of several concentrically larger communities. In a series of Writing for Understanding activities, children assemble a book of pictures that show where they live. |
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How Do People Live Around the World? |
Children learn that, although people around the world are different, they are also alike in important way. In an Experiential Exercise, they take an imaginary flight to Japan to share a meal. |
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How Can I Help Take Care of the World? |
Children explore the three R’s --recycling, reducing, and reusing-- to learn how they can help take care of the world. In a Social Studies Skill Builder, they identify groceries they think will help reduce garbage and place them in a “shopping cart.” |