Social Studies

Diversity is taught through literature, community and family. Children learn to respect each other’s background, while sharing about his or her cultural heritage through “Reader of the Week” opportunities. World geography is taught with elementary map skills including identification of continents and oceans. The local and school community is another large focus of the curriculum. Children learn the differences between rural, urban and suburban communities. They discuss what constitutes a community, the community’s wants and needs, and the rules that govern it. Children are immersed in the study of Australia, ancient Egypt and ancient Greece. This is achieved through folklore, legends, mythology, geography and animals. The first grade social studies program is enriched through drama, dance, food, art, music, literature and both creative and informational writing.

Grade 2 students explore three main units throughout the school year: the Kumeyaay nation and other Native American tribes, U.S. symbols and government, and China. Students explore the Kumeyaay nation’s culture, traditions and the importance of storytelling. Students experience authentic artifacts when we visit the Kumeyaay Interpretive Center. The culminating activity is digital creation stories presented to the parents. The goal of the U.S. symbols and government unit is a basic understanding of the three branches of government and famous Americans. The unit also consists of key items and places that represent the United States, such as the flag, bald eagle, Statue of Liberty and Washington monuments. Students research and write a biography about a famous American. They design a costume and recite a speech for parents and the Country Day community. The final unit is an exploration of modern-day China. This study focuses on culture, geography, inventions and literature. Our concluding activities include kite flying at Mission Bay and a delicious Chinese feast.

Grade 3 students explore social studies through a creative and interdisciplinary approach integrating mathematics, language arts and technology. Students explore connections to the past and how they impact current society. Geography and mapping skills are introduced at the start of school and applied in the major units of study throughout the year: the journey of the Mayflower, the settlement of Plymouth, the colonization of America, westward expansion, and a global education study of India. Students learn to identify geographical features and trace the ways in which people use resources in these environments. They gain understanding of customs, traditions, religious beliefs and how communities were established in the foundation of the United States. Influential heroes and origins of the U.S. government are studied. Students learn how the influence of climate affected settlement in the New World. Economic principals are encountered through interactive simulations, such as pilgrims learning to trade with Native Americans and pioneers using a given amount of money to fill a covered wagon for a journey west. Field trips, such as visiting Old Town, further contribute to students’ understanding of the early development of America. To gain global understanding, the children participate in an in-depth study of India’s culture and history through creative dramatics, writing and technology projects.

Grade 4 students are immersed in a year-long study of California, the main focus of the social studies program. The curriculum follows an interdisciplinary approach through art, music, technology, physical education, Spanish and language arts in which students read novels related to specific periods of California history. The year begins with the geography of the state and a study of the physical features of the land. The theme of immigration is woven throughout the units that follow: Native Californians, Explorers of California, the Mission and Rancho periods, the Westward Movement, the Gold Rush, Statehood, the Transcontinental Railroad and Modern California. Projects may include the creation of a relief map, multimedia presentations, a gold rush simulation, oral and written reports, and Rancho Fiesta Day, which includes period activities from previously studied units. Field trips to local historical sites contribute to the richness of the curriculum; the final field trip of the year is a day-long trip to Sacramento to visit the capitol and the California Railroad Museum, with a side trip to Coloma, where the Gold Rush began. The culmination of the social studies curriculum is the California Pageant, an extravaganza of speeches, songs and dances, in which each student takes the role of a famous Californian.