Grade 2

Social Studies Practice

Culture

Economics

Georaphy

Government and Civics

History

Gather information from a variety of sources, including: Printed materials (e.g., literary texts, newspapers, political cartoons, autobiographies, speeches, letters, personal journals), Graphic representations (e.g., maps, timelines, charts, artwork), Artifacts, Media and technology sources

Critically examine a primary or secondary source in order to: Summarize significant ideas and relevant information, Distinguish between fact and opinion, Draw conclusions, Recognize author’s purpose and point of view

Organize data from a variety of sources in order to Compare and contrast multiple sources, Recognize differences between multiple accounts, Frame appropriate questions for further investigation

Communicate ideas supported by evidence to: Demonstrate an understanding of ideas, Compare and contrast viewpoints, Predict outcomes, Illustrate cause and effect

Develop historical awareness by: Sequencing past, present, and future in chronological order, Understanding that things change over time

Develop geographic awareness by: Identifying geographic symbols on maps and globes, Understanding relationships between people, places, and resources

Identify various cultural groups within the U.S. and the students’ community. 

Compare and contrast the beliefs, customs, ceremonies, and traditions of the various cultures represented in the U.S. 

Distinguish how people from various cultures in the community and nation share principles, goals, and traditions. 

Examine different types of producers and consumers in the U.S.

Recognize major U.S. industries and their products, including: agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, transportation, etc. 

Analyze how supply and demand influence production. 

Differentiate between imports and exports. 

Evaluate how imports and exports help to meet the needs of people in the U.S. 

 Explain why and how producers advertise to sell a product or service. 

 Describe the purpose of a budget. 

Compare how maps and globes depict geographical information in different ways.  

Identify and locate the four hemispheres (i.e., Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western), equator, prime meridian, North and South Poles, and the seven continents. 

Recognize that the U.S. is part of the North American continent, and identify the U.S land/water borders including: Canada, Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Gulf of Mexico. 

Recognize the difference between physical and political maps

Use legends and cardinal directions to determine locations on physical and political maps.

Compare physical features of the earth, including: Island, Ocean, Plateau, Lake, Peninsula, River, Mountain, Plain, Valley

Compare and contrast regions of the U.S. (i.e., Southeast, Northeast, Great Plains, Southwest, Rocky Mountain, and Pacific Northwest) in terms of climate, physical features, and population. 

Analyze how the location of regions affects the way people live, including their: food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and recreation. 

Recall the origins, meaning, and lyrics of the “Star Spangled Banner.”

Identify and examine the significance of well-known national symbols and landmarks, including: Mt. Rushmore, the White House, the Statue of Liberty, and the bald eagle. 

Recognize that the U.S. has a constitution, which is the basis for our nation’s laws

Describe the three branches of U.S. government and the basic role of each. 

Recognize that Tennessee has a constitution, which is the basis for our state’s laws.

Recognize that our nation makes laws and that there are consequences for breaking them. 

 Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens of the U.S. 

 Understand that there are laws written to protect citizens’ right to vote.

Compare the ways one becomes a citizen (i.e., by birth or naturalization).

Describe the fundamental principles of American democracy, including: equality, fair treatment for all, and respect for the property of others. 

Examine the significant contributions made by people of the U.S., including: Neil Armstrong, Martin Luther King, Jr., Wilma Rudolph, David Crockett, Rosa Parks, Sequoyah, Benjamin Franklin, Jackie Robinson, George Washington  

Describe periods of time in terms of: Days, Years, Weeks, Decades, Months, Centuries

Analyze and interpret events placed chronologically on a timeline. 

Contrast primary and secondary sources.