Social Studies

Social Studies

At Swain, students in history class are historians. The study of history is not merely a memorization of facts and figures; rather, it is the synthesis of historical ideas and concepts. A true understanding of the past requires students to look at events from multiple perspectives, and then to skillfully combine those pieces of information to make sound and reasonable judgments. The historian writes and speaks with responsibility, taking care to weigh various opinions and perspectives against the valuable pieces of evidence that exist.

Most importantly, the true historian understands that events of the past shape our world today, and that current events will shape our future. Our social studies curriculum is designed to develop our students into global citizens by offering exposure to a broad range of global studies topics

Preschool

Friendship; school and community; family; all about me
Swain Honor Pledge
Virtue of the month
Fire prevention
Native Americans
Classroom and playground safety
Learning social skills; using healthy practices; practicing sensitivity to social attitudes, values and beliefs
Playing fair; taking turns; solving problems; identifying community helpers
Holidays
Life on the farm
Transportation
Dinosaurs

Prekindergarten

Classroom and playground safety; all about me
Fire safety
Fall: apples and pumpkins; Pilgrims and Native Americans
World and US geography
Winter; holidays; snow and ice
Polar bears and penguins
Nutrition: foods; healthy hearts; dental health
Patriotic holidays and symbols
Spring; fairy tales; plants; oceans
Grandparents Day

Kindergarten

Community/neighborhood awareness
State symbols, historic places, state characters
Continents/oceans
Biomes: tundra, rainforest, marine
Monthly virtues: goodness, acceptance, compassion, thankfulness, forgiveness, charity, patience, courage, loyalty, hope, peacefulness, perseverance

Grade 1

Global studies: map skills; people and cultures
Germany: culture, landscapes, food, fairy tales, castles, music
Italy: culture, landscape, music, regatta, creating a gondola
Antarctica: culture, landscape, polar animals, comparing North and South poles
China: culture, landscapes, food, artwork, Chinese New Year, creating a dragon
South Africa: culture, landscapes, food, famous African-Americans
Ireland: culture, landscape, music, food, rainforests
Brazil: culture, landscape, food
Australia: culture, landscape, food

Grade 2

Global studies: people and communities
Government and citizenship
Multicultural holiday celebrations
Map skills/geography skills
India: culture, landscape, food, traditions
Canada: culture, geography, landscape, food traditions
Mexico: culture, geography, landscape, food traditions
Kenya: culture, geography, landscape, food traditions

Grade 3

Pennsylvania: early settlers; William Penn; Benjamin Franklin; state flag; state symbols; population and cities; state and local government
Our region: products made in Pennsylvania; waterways; weather and climate; Pennsylvania transportation systems; natural resources; wildlife; Native Americans
Pennsylvania farms and forests; Pennsylvania minerals and fossil fuels

Grade 4

Six regions of the US: Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Mountain, Southwest, West
Strands of social studies: economy, natural resources, environment, history (current), climate
Map skills
50 states and capitals
Research projects, using library and internet resources, organize information for writing, correct documentation and formatting

Grade 5

Global studies: Asia, Southeast Asia, and Pacific Region
Map skills: landforms, continents, physical geography
Climates, vegetation, land use, resources, culture, history and physical geography of Asia and Pacific Islands: Australia, New Zealand, China, India, Japan, The Stans, Israel, Philippines, Vietnam
Research project, using PowerPoint, giving oral presentations
NAIS 20-20 Program

Grade 6

Ancient civilizations from early man through the rise of the Roman Empire, Mesopotamia and Egypt; Ancient Greece; the RomanRepublic
Medieval and early modern times, including disintegration of the Roman Empire; Medieval Europe; the Renaissance
Historical and social science analysis skills
Geography and map skills

Grade 7

United States history from Pre-Columbian times through the Civil War, including the American Revolution, the conflict between Native Americans and settlers, and the westward movement.
The Declaration of Independence and U. S. Constitution
The founding of the American nation, American political systems
Growth and change in the new nation, including impact on various immigrants, indigenous, cultural and ethnic groups including African Americans and women.
Historical and social science analysis skills
Geography and map skills

Grade 8

United States history from reconstruction through 20th century
Understanding the Industrial Revolution, Guilded Age and Progressive Era
Causes and impact of Spanish American War and WWI
Roaring Twenties, Great Depression and WWII
Cold War/Iron curtain
American Dream, Civil Rights and Vietnam

Small classes. Big opportunities. Amazing results.

Social Studies