What You’ll Learn in Social Studies
Posted September 3, 2026
Social Studies is about understanding people, societies and the forces that have shaped our world. This year, you will explore the past while making meaningful connections to the present.
Instead of simply memorizing names, dates and events, you will learn to ask questions, examine evidence, consider different perspectives and develop informed conclusions.
Thinking Like a Historian
How do we know what happened in the past?
You will investigate history using different forms of evidence, including:
- maps and timelines
- artifacts and archaeological discoveries
- photographs and images
- written records
- primary and secondary sources
- oral histories and stories
You will consider who created each source, whose perspective it represents, how reliable it might be and which voices may be missing.
Understanding Historical Events
You will learn to think about history using important questions:
- What caused an event to happen?
- What were its consequences?
- What changed over time?
- What stayed the same?
- Why is this person, idea or event historically important?
- How might people have understood the event differently?
These questions will help you look beyond what happened and think more deeply about why it matters.
The Human Story and Ancient Societies
You will explore early humans, migration, the development of settled communities and the rise of civilizations.
We will investigate how geography and access to resources influenced where and how societies developed. You will also explore the inventions, technologies, beliefs and ideas that shaped people’s lives.
Power, Government and Citizenship
You will examine how different societies organized themselves and made decisions. We will consider questions about:
- power and leadership
- laws and government
- rights and responsibilities
- citizenship
- fairness and inequality
You will also learn how trade, migration, cultural exchange, cooperation and conflict connected societies and contributed to change.
Connecting the Past and Present
History can help us understand the world we live in today. We will make connections to topics such as:
- government and citizenship
- human rights
- migration
- globalization
- resources
- conflict and cooperation
- media and source credibility
You will learn to discuss complex topics respectfully, listen to different ideas and consider perspectives beyond your own.
Our Goal
By the end of the year, we want you to be a curious and informed thinker who asks meaningful questions about the world. You will learn to examine evidence, consider context and perspective, and use what you discover to develop thoughtful conclusions.
Our plans may change during the year as we respond to your learning, questions, interests, current events and new opportunities.