Social Studies: Grade 2 At-a-Glance
In second grade, students continue their introduction to social studies themes. Students learn about
several communities and cultures, starting with their own. As they explore their community, they will learn
foundational terms and concepts in geography, history, and economics. Then they will apply those
concepts to different contexts as they learn about other communities, including American Indian cultures,
ancient China, and ancient Egypt. Students will develop their ability to distinguish between the past and
present, and also to recognize connections between past cultures and our world today.
Quarter One
Unit 1: How Can I Be a Good Citizen? Citizenship and Communities
In this unit, students will explore the meaning of citizenship in the school, community, and
national levels. Students will learn that our community is diverse, and that there are a
number of ways to be a good citizen, for example: by following classroom rules;
volunteering in the community; voting and participating in school, community, and national
decisions; and making contributions that improve people’s lives. Stories of famous
Americans, presented throughout the year, will provide examples of good citizenship for
students. Concepts from this unit will be revisited throughout the year.
Quarter Two
Unit 2: Alexandria Is: My Community
In this unit, students develop an understanding of important terms and concepts in
geography and economics by exploring their own community. Students use map skills to
identify important geographic features of their region, and consider how the location and
environment have shaped the development of the community over time. Next, they
explore the economy of their community, including concepts such as production,
distribution, consumption, resources, and monetary systems of exchange. Economic
concepts in this unit are tied to ideas of community and location.
Quarter Three
Unit 3: America’s First Communities: American Indians
In this unit, students will apply concepts from geography, history, and economics by
studying three American Indian cultures: the Powhatan of the Eastern Woodlands, the
Lakota of the Plains, and the Pueblo peoples of the Southwest. By using map skills and
analyzing photographs and images, students will learn about the geography and
environment of these regions and how that influenced the development of the culture and
economy of each group. As a result of studying these cultures, students will also
distinguish between the present and the past, and how past communities have influenced
our lives today.
Quarter Four
Throughout the year, students will also explore the idea of citizenship and how civic ideals and practices
contribute to our community. Students will consider how they can be citizens in their school, community,
country, and world; and use examples of famous Americans to deepen their understanding of the
meaning of citizenship and community.
Unit 4: Ancient Communities: China and Egypt
In this unit, students will apply concepts from geography, history, and economics by
studying two ancient cultures: Egypt and China. Using map skills and analyzing
photographs, images, and text, students will learn about the geography and environment
of these regions and how that influenced the development of the culture and economy of
each community. As a result of studying these cultures, students will also distinguish
between the present and the past, and how past communities have influenced our lives
today.