CURRICULUM

Social Studies
Bundle Overview
2nd Grade Social Studies Curriculum is an engaging social studies curriculum with
young learners in mind! 2nd Grade Social Studies encourages young learners to think
“outside the box” and prove their thinking through hands-on and engaging learning
experiences. 2nd Grade Social Studies is based upon five units: Government and
Democracy, Historical Thinking, Geography, Cultures and Economics. Each unit is
broken down to 10 lessons and each lesson can take from 1-2 days to complete. The
units cover at least two weeks of instruction. The lesson plan has the listed
objective, “I can” statement, vocabulary, detailed activity lesson plans and all
necessary student follow-up practice sheets.
2nd Grade Social Studies encourages a daily routine, but please know that as the
teacher you can adjust the lessons and make them best work for your daily schedule
and time allotment. Within each lesson the students will partake in a quick lesson
opener, whole-group skill lesson and the students will take part in a follow-up task.
Please note that all student follow-up practice sheets can be shrunk and placed into a
student journal. You can also choose to have students track their daily activities in
their journal with or without the included response sheets.

©Tara West
Social Studies
Unit Overviews
Unit 1: Democracy and Government Unit 1: Democracy and Government
Lesson 1 Citizens Lesson 6 Democracy
Lesson 2 American Symbols Lesson 7 Branches of Government
Lesson 3 Bill of Rights Lesson 8 Government Officials
Lesson 4 Citizen Responsibilities Lesson 9 The President
Lesson 5 Laws Lesson 10 Voting

Unit 2: Historical Thinking Unit 2: Historical Thinking

Lesson 1 Thomas Edison Lesson 6 Helen Keller
Lesson 2 Benjamin Franklin Lesson 7 Rosa Parks
Lesson 3 Alexander Bell Lesson 8 Susan B. Anthony
Lesson 4 The Wright Brothers Lesson 9 Sacajawea
Lesson 5 Henry Ford Lesson 10 Amelia Earhart

Unit 3: Geography Unit 3: Geography

Lesson 1 Seven Continents Lesson 6 My Place in the World
Lesson 2 5 Oceans Lesson 7 Physical Features of US
Lesson 3 Longitude/Latitude/Equator Lesson 8 Reading Maps
Lesson 4 Cardinal Directions Lesson 9 Locations in the Community

Lesson 5 Movement of People and Goods Lesson 10 Constructing a Map

©Tara West
Social Studies
Unit Overviews
Unit 4: Cultures Unit 4: Cultures
Lesson 1 Culture (define) Lesson 6 Cultural Clothing
Lesson 2 Folktales (African American) Lesson 7 Cultural Housing
Lesson 3 Folktales (Native American) Lesson 8 Cultural Games
Lesson 4 Traditions Lesson 9 Diversity
Lesson 5 Cultural Food Lesson 10 Equality

Unit 5: Economics Unit 5: Economics

Lesson 1 Goods Lesson 6 Scarcity
Lesson 2 Services Lesson 7 Saving
Lesson 3 Producers Lesson 8 Income/Wages
Lesson 4 Consumption and Production Lesson 9 Labor
Lesson 5 Cost-Benefit Lesson 10 Money System

©Tara West
Social Studies
Unit 1 Pictures:

10 days of scripted lesson plans Daily printable sheets

Custom written PowerPoint Books Unit vocabulary cards

Included lesson pieces Social Studies journal labels

©Tara West
Social Studies
Unit 1 Pictures:

Lesson 1.1- Vocabulary Flaps Lesson 1.2- Symbols passage and book

Lesson 1.2- Symbol label match-ups Lesson 1.2- Penny experiment

Lesson 1.3- Bill of Right flip book Lesson 1.4- Citizen sort
©Tara West
Social Studies
Unit 1 Pictures:

Lesson 1.5- Safety/Order/Equality sort Lesson 1.7- Branches of govnt. craft

Lesson 1.7- Branches of government sort Lesson 1.8- Why we vote flap craft

Lesson 1.8- Voter’s registration card Lesson 1.9- President keepsake book

©Tara West
Unit: One
Lessons
2nd Grade Social Studies Units
1-5 Lesson 1: Citizens Lesson 2: American Symbols
Introduction: Introduction:
Objective: Introduce the week’s theme and Objective: Introduce American symbols.
Unit Big Idea: Students will access prior knowledge.
study citizenship and Show the students the American symbol
Write the word “citizen” in the center of your cards. After flipping through them,
determine what roles chart paper. Ask students to share with their encourage students to think about what all
government officials and partner what they already know about of the pictures have in common. Give
citizens play within a citizens. Then call on students to add to the students a chance to discuss their thoughts.
chart. Discuss that this chart represents the Call on a few students to share their thinking
community. class’ schema and, after the unit, they will see and ask them why they think the way they
that their schema has changed and grown. do.
Week Theme: Citizenship
Whole Group Lesson: Whole Group Lesson:
Main Text: Citizens
Lesson One Objective: Students will Lesson Two Objective: Students
Vocabulary: citizen, symbol, will recognize American symbols
define the vocabulary words.
right, responsibility and identify their importance.
1. Read “Citizens” to the class.
Essential Questions: Stop at each vocabulary word 1. Lead students in going
*What characteristics make to infer the meaning and through each American
up an upstanding citizen? define it. symbol card and discussing
2. After reading, lead students in each symbol.
*What symbols are important a turn and talk to discuss what 2. Place the American symbol
to citizens in our community? they learned. Then call on cards with their matching
individuals to add to or label onto an anchor chart.

Preview
change the living anchor 3. Lead students in reading the
Week “I can statements”: chart. included American symbols
* I can state characteristics 3. Review each vocabulary word passage.
of upstanding citizens. and work as a class to develop 4. Have students annotate the
whole body motions for each passage for important facts
word. that they will later use.
*I can identify important
symbols for my community.

Activity: Activity:

1. Pass out the interactive vocabulary 1. Give students the American

flip page to each student. Have symbols keepsake book. Students
students fold down the middle and will use the annotated passage to
cut along each line to make the write facts about each symbol.
“flaps” open. Have students construct the
2. Lead the students in defining each keepsake book using a large
word. The students will write a sheet of construction paper.
matching sentence for each word. 2. Take students through a hands-on
3. Instruct students to turn their experiment to discover why the
vocabulary flip page over and fill in Statue of Liberty is green.
the KQW prompts. 3. Use the included recording sheet
4. Students will write what they know for students to write their
about democracy and government, experiment notes.
what they want to learn, and a 4. Place the pennies in a small bowl
specific question they have. of vinegar and salt.
5. Discuss the final results as a group.

Independent Practice: Independent Practice:

Respond in student reflection log Respond in student reflection
pg. 1 log pg. 2
 ©Tara West
2nd Grade Social Studies Print double-sided. Cut the organizer out. Fold down
the long, middle line. Cut the individual flaps.

Democracy Democracy
and and
Government Government

citizen

Preview
right

responsibility

symbol
 ©Tara West
2nd Grade Social Studies

Citizen:

Right:

Preview
Responsibility:

Symbol:
 Lesson 2: American Symbols
2nd Grade Social Studies

Preview

©Tara West
 Lesson 2: American Symbols
Social Studies

Liberty Bell
Statue of Liberty
bald eagle flag
White House
Preview
Mount Rushmore
Liberty Memorial
Washington Monument

©Tara West
 Lesson 3: Bill of Rights
2nd Grade Social Studies

This is the flag of the United States of America! Isn’t it

beautiful? It’s just one of the many symbols that bring Americans
pride. America is a beautiful country. The United States flag is
made up of 13 stripes and 50 stars. The 50 stars symbolize the 50
states and the stripes represent the original 13 colonies.
The flag was not always 13 stripes and 50 stars. When
the United States was first formed, the flag was made by Betsy
Ross and had 13 stars in a circular pattern and 13 red and white
strips.
This is the Statue of Liberty. France gave it to us a long
time ago as a gift. You can see the Statue of Liberty in New
York. To many, it is a sign of freedom and democracy. The
statue is 151 feet tall and is made of copper.
Do you know who lives here? It is home to the president.

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We call it the White House. Every president has lived here, except
George Washington. Here is a fun fact about the White House: It
has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 412 doors, 147 windows, 28
fireplaces, 8 staircases and 3 elevators!
Do you know what kind of bird this is? It is a bald eagle. The bald eagle is the
national bird. The eagle is even shown on our national seal. Many see strength and
beauty when they see a bald eagle fly.
Look at this bell. It is really big and old, and it is can be
found in Philadelphia, PA. It is called the Liberty Bell. The bell
is a symbol of liberty or freedom. Stories say that this bell
was rung in 1776 on July, 8th to celebrate the reading of the
Declaration of Independence. Look closely and you will
see the crack. The United States of America has
many symbols that represent it and, although they
may change over time, they will forever bind the
nation together.
©Tara West
 Lesson 3: Bill of Rights

2nd Grade Social Studies

Name:
Directions: Write and illustrate the pennies in each stage.

Before:

During:

Preview

After:

©Tara West
 Lesson 3: Bill of Rights

Bill of Rights
Print double-sided. Cut
the individual boxes
out. Line up the boxes
from smallest to

Flip Book largest in size. The

numbers 1, 3, 5, 7 and
9 will be visible. The
numbers 2, 4, 6, 8 and
10 will appear once
flipped up.

Freedoms of religion, speech, and press.

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Amendment 1
Freedom to refuse to shelter soldiers in homes.

Amendment 3
©Tara West
 Lesson 4: Citizen Responsibilities
2nd Grade Social Studies

It’s Our Right To

be Safe
It’s Our Right To
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Learn
It’s Our Right To
Have Fun ©Tara West
 Lesson 4: Citizen Responsibilities
2nd Grade Social Studies

be kind respect
others

follow
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listen
rules

help work
others hard
©Tara West
 Lesson 5: Laws
2nd Grade Social Studies

Safety
Order
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Equality
©Tara West
 Lesson 5: Laws
2nd Grade Social Studies

Citizens must drive on

Citizens must wear their
the right side of the
seatbelts.
road.

Citizens cannot steal. All citizens can get a job.

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All citizens can go to All citizens must pay
school. taxes.

Citizens must wear a

Citizens must go through
helmet when they drive a
security at the airport.
motorcycle.

©Tara West
Social Studies Name:
Directions: Choose an American symbol that means the most to you.
Explain in detail why this American symbol is meaningful.

Preview

1
©Tara West
 Social Studies Name:
Directions: Write a law that promotes each right.

Safety:

Order:

Preview
Equality:

5
©Tara West
 Lesson 7: Branches of Govt.
2nd Grade Social Studies

Preview

©Tara West
 Lesson 7: Branches of Govt.
2nd Grade Social Studies

Judicial Branch
In the judicial branch of government, judges
check to make sure that new laws are
constitutional. This means that new laws must
be approved by the judicial branch before they
can be put in place. The judicial branch is made
up of 9 supreme court justices. There are 9
justices to make sure that there is never a tie
vote. The president nominates a new justice and
the legislative branch appoints them whenever

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one is needed.

Executive Branch
In the executive branch, the president is in
charge of the military and federal agencies,
such as the FBI and the CIA. These agencies
are in charge of enforcing the laws that are
written by the legislative branch. The president
can veto any law that is passed by the
legislative and judicial branch. Each president
serves a 4 year term and can only serve 2
terms in a row. After the term, citizens vote
for a new president in the presidential election.
©Tara West
 Lesson 7: Branches of Govt.
2nd Grade Social Studies

write laws veto laws

command the
declare war
military

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make final
decide if
decisions about
laws are
how laws are
constitutional
interpreted

enforce laws appoint

through federal government
agencies officials
©Tara West
 Lesson 7: Branches of Govt.
2nd Grade Social Studies

Preview

©Tara West
 Lesson 7: Branches of Govt.
2nd Grade Social Studies

Preview

©Tara West
 President George President Lincoln was born in
Washington was born in Kentucky in 1809. He was
1732 in Virginia. He was married to a woman named
married to Martha Mary Todd and together they
Dandridge Curtis. George had four boys. Lincoln became
Social Studies

Washington served as president in 1861. While he was

Commander and Chief of president, he helped America
the Continental Army; he led his troops to victory become a country without slavery. Abraham
in the Revolutionary War. He took office of the Lincoln was assassinated in 1865 while at the
United States presidency in 1789. theater.
Fun Facts: Fun Facts:
1. Washington was the 1st president. 1. Lincoln was the 16th president.
2. He is on the one dollar bill and the quarter. 2. Lincoln is on the penny and the five dollar bill.
3. Washington is carved into Mount Rushmore. 3. Lincoln is one of the presidents carved into
4. There is a monument in Washington D.C. Mount Rushmore.
called the Washington Monument. It was
built in honor of George Washington.
Preview4. There is a large memorial for President
Lincoln in Washington D.C. called the Lincoln
Memorial.
Lesson 9: The President

©TaraWest
Social Studies Name:
Directions: Describe a democracy.

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6
©Tara West
Social Studies Name:
Directions: Describe each branch of government.

Executive:

Judicial:

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Legislative:

7
©Tara West
Social Studies

citizen ©Tara West

Preview
Social Studies

symbol ©Tara West

Grade Social Studies Unit: Two
Historical
Thinking
2nd
Social Studies
Unit 2 Overview
2nd Grade Social Studies Curriculum is an engaging social studies curriculum with
young learners in mind! 2nd Grade Social Studies encourages young learners to think
“outside the box” and prove their thinking through hands-on and engaging learning
experiences. 2nd Grade Social Studies is based upon five units: Government and
Democracy, Historical Thinking, Geography, Cultures and Economics. Each unit is
broken down to 10 lessons and each lesson can take from 1-2 days to complete. The
units cover at least two weeks of instruction. The lesson plan has the listed
objective, “I can” statement, vocabulary, detailed activity lesson plans and all
necessary student follow-up practice sheets.
2nd Grade Social Studies encourages a daily routine, but please know that as the
teacher you can adjust the lessons and make them best work for your daily schedule
and time allotment. Within each lesson the students will partake in a quick lesson
opener, whole-group skill lesson and the students will take part in a follow-up task.
Please note that all student follow-up practice sheets can be shrunk and placed into a
student journal. You can also choose to have students track their daily activities in
their journal with or without the included response sheets.

Unit 2: Historical Thinking Unit 2: Historical Thinking

Lesson 1 Thomas Edison Lesson 6 Rosa Parks
Lesson 2 Benjamin Franklin Lesson 7 Helen Keller

Lesson 3 Alexander Bell Lesson 8 Susan B. Anthony

Lesson 4 Wright Brothers Lesson 9 Sacajawea
Lesson 5 Henry Ford Lesson 10 Amelia Earhart

©Tara West
Social Studies
Unit 2 Pictures:

10 days of scripted lesson plans Daily printable sheets

Custom written PowerPoint Books Unit vocabulary cards

Included lesson pieces Social Studies journal labels

©Tara West
Social Studies
Unit 2 Pictures:

Lesson 1.1- Invention Picture Cards Lesson 1.2- Electric Kite

Lesson 1.3- Cell Phone Craft Lesson 1.4- Paper Airplane Trials

Unit Research Template Unit Research Project

©Tara West
Unit: Two
Lessons 2nd Grade Social Studies Units
1-5 Lesson 1: Thomas Edison Lesson 2: Benjamin Franklin
Introduction: Introduction:
Objective: Introduce the week theme and Objective: Engage students in the lesson and
Unit Big Idea: Students will access prior knowledge. Read “Inventors” to stimulate schema.
develop historical thinking the class. Lead the class in a discussion about
how inventors can impact a nation. Pass out Ask: “Boys and girls, have you ever had your
by studying and comparing the interactive vocabulary flip page to each power go out? What did you do without power?”
Discuss what items didn’t work and how not
the lives of people in the student. Lead the students in defining each having power made life more difficult. “What do
word. The students will write a matching
past and present. sentence for each word.
you think life was like before people had power?”

Whole Group Lesson: Whole Group Lesson:

Week Theme: Inventors
Day Two Objective: Students will
Main Text: Inventors (included) Day One Objective: Students will determine the importance of Benjamin
determine the importance of Franklin's contributions.
Vocabulary: inventor, Thomas Edison’s contribution to the
nation. 1. Project the Benjamin Franklin page on
electricity, phonograph, the board and give each student a
assembly line 1. Project the Thomas Edison page copy of the note taking page.
2. Read the page to the class and
Essential Questions: on the board and read it to the encourage them to take notes.
students cold. 3. Ask them if this is a secondary or
*How have the lives of
2. Discuss that this is a secondary primary source. Ask them to explain
people changed throughout source because it was created their thinking.
the course of history? by a person that did not 4. Explain that now you are going to
read to them a primary source. Ask
experience Thomas Edison’s life. them to pay close attention to see if
*How do inventors impact 3. Model how to complete the they can tell you why it is considered

Preview
the world? note taking page. a primary source.
4. Give each student a clipboard, 5. Read Benjamin Franklin’s letter to
pencil, and a copy of the note Peter Collinson about the electrical
Week “I can statements”: kite.
taking page.
*I can compare and 5. Reread the Thomas Edison page
6. Discuss why this letter is considered a
primary source.
contrast the lives of people to the class slowly, stopping to
throughout history. direct students to complete
each section of the note taking
*I can identify how page.
inventors have impacted
the world. Activity: Activity:
1. Explain to students that today they will be 1. Give each student two popsicle
looking at artifacts (define with the class) sticks, kite template, glue, string, a
from Thomas Edison’s life. Since he lived a paper clip, and a paper key.
long time ago, they will see photos of
2. Explain to students that you are
artifacts.
going to reread Benjamin Franklin’s
2. Show the three photos of Thomas Edison’s
inventions.
letter so that they can follow his
3. Ask the class what they think each one is directions and build an electrical
and why. When they identify each kite.
artifact, match it to the picture of today’s 3. Reread the letter, stopping often to
technology. discuss the meaning of the
4. Work as a class to compare and contrast directions and carry out each step.
Thomas Edison's phonograph and today’s
iPod. *Students will straighten the paper clip
5. Discuss the importance of Thomas to make the wire on the top of the kite.
Edison’s work and how he impacted our
nation.

Independent Practice: Independent Practice:

Thomas Edison note taking sheet. Benjamin Franklin note taking
sheet.
 ©Tara West
Print double-sided. Cut the organizer out. Fold down
Social Studies the long, middle line. Cut the individual flaps.

Inventors Inventors

inventor

Preview
electricity

phonograph

assembly line
 ©Tara West

Social Studies

inventor:

electricity:
Preview
phonograph:

assembly line:
 Lesson 1: Thomas Edison
Social Studies

Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison was
born in 1847 and lived
until 1931. He was born in
Milan, Ohio. Throughout
his life Edison worked
hardPreview
to become known
as America’s greatest
inventor. His more well-
known inventions are
the light bulb,
phonograph, and motion
picture camera.
©Tara West
 Lesson 1: Thomas Edison
SocialStudies
Social Studies

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©Tara West
 Lesson 1: Thomas Edison
SocialStudies
Social Studies

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©Tara West
 Lesson 1: Thomas Edison
SocialStudies
Social Studies

Preview

©Tara West
Social Studies Name:
Thomas Edison
Directions: Use this page to take notes as your teacher reads.

Preview

©Tara West
Social Studies Name:
Directions: Write about how the contributions of Thomas Edison impacted the future.

Preview
Directions: Illustrate each of Thomas Edison’s inventions.

light bulb phonograph motion picture camera

©Tara West
 Lesson 4: Wright Brothers
Social Studies

The Wright Brothers

The Wright brothers
are known as the
brothers who invented
the world’s first flying
machine. They were also
Preview
the pilots. Orville lived
from 1871 to 1948. Wilbur
lived from 1867 to 1912.
Orville was born in Ohio,
but Wilbur was born in
Indiana.
©Tara West
Social Studies Name:
Wright Brothers
Directions: Use this page to take notes as your teacher reads.

Preview

©Tara West
Social Studies Name:
Directions: Write about how the Wright brothers changed the world.

Preview
Directions: Illustrate the Wright brother’s flying machine.

©Tara West
 Lesson 4: Wright Brothers

Social Studies Name:

Wright Brothers
Directions: Record your four flight trials.

Trial #1

Trial #2

Preview
Trial #3

Trial #4

©Tara West
 ©Tara West
Print double-sided. Cut the organizer out. Fold down
Social Studies the long, middle line. Cut the individual flaps.

Pioneers Pioneers

pioneer

courageous
Preview
activist

deafness
 ©Tara West

Social Studies

pioneer:

courageous:

Preview
activist:

deafness:
Social Studies Name:

Introducing:

Inventor Illustration: Life Span:

Birth Place:

Preview
Accomplishments: Invention:

Famous Quote:

©Tara West
Social Studies

‘s
keepsake book

Preview
Instructions: Fold a 12 x 18 inch sheet of construction paper down
the middle horizontally. Next, fold that half into thirds.
1st 2nd 3rd

©Tara West
Social Studies

Biography:

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©Tara West
Social Studies

Impact on Society:

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©Tara West
Social Studies

inventor ©Tara West

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Social Studies

electricity ©Tara West

Social Studies

phonograph ©Tara West

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Social Studies

assembly line ©Tara West

2nd Grade Social Studies
Geography
Unit: Three
Social Studies
Unit 3 Overview
2nd Grade Social Studies Curriculum is an engaging social studies curriculum with
young learners in mind! 2nd Grade Social Studies encourages young learners to think
“outside the box” and prove their thinking through hands-on and engaging learning
experiences. 2nd Grade Social Studies is based upon five units: Government and
Democracy, Historical Thinking, Geography, Cultures and Economics. Each unit is
broken down to 10 lessons and each lesson can take from 1-2 days to complete. The
units cover at least two weeks of instruction. The lesson plan has the listed
objective, “I can” statement, vocabulary, detailed activity lesson plans and all
necessary student follow-up practice sheets.
2nd Grade Social Studies encourages a daily routine, but please know that as the
teacher you can adjust the lessons and make them best work for your daily schedule
and time allotment. Within each lesson the students will partake in a quick lesson
opener, whole-group skill lesson and the students will take part in a follow-up task.
Please note that all student follow-up practice sheets can be shrunk and placed into a
student journal. You can also choose to have students track their daily activities in
their journal with or without the included response sheets.

Unit 3: Geography Unit 3: Geography

Lesson 1 Seven Continents Lesson 6 State Features
Lesson 2 Five Oceans Lesson 7 USA Physical Features

Lesson 3 Longitude & Latitude Lesson 8 Map Key

Lesson 4 Cardinal Directions Lesson 9 Community
Lesson 5 Transportation Lesson 10 Constructing a Map

©Tara West
Social Studies
Unit 3 Pictures:

10 days of scripted lesson plans Daily printable sheets

Custom written PowerPoint Books Unit vocabulary cards

Included lesson pieces Social Studies journal labels

©Tara West
Social Studies
Unit 3 Pictures:

Lesson 3.1 Lesson 3.1

Lesson 3.1 Lesson 3.4

Lesson 3.4 Lesson 3.8

©Tara West
Unit: Three
Lessons 2nd Grade Social Studies Units
1-5 Lesson 2: Five Oceans
Lesson 1: Seven Continents
Introduction: Introduction:
Objective: Access prior knowledge and engage Objective: Engage students in the lesson
Unit Big Idea: Students will students
and stimulate schema.
read and construct maps to Post a large world map on the wall or board and direct
Encourage students to think about the new
develop a general students’ attention to the map. Ask them what it is and
how it is used. Continue to ask general questions about facts they learned about the 7 continents.
understanding of world the map in order to get an idea of what your students Have students share with their partners
already know. Identify any misconceptions and be
geography. sure to correct those during the unit.
knowledge about each of the 7 continents.

Whole Group Lesson: Whole Group Lesson:

Week Theme: Geography
Lesson One Objective: Students will Lesson Two Objective: Students will
Main Text: Our World identify the 5 oceans of the world.
identify the 7 continents.
Vocabulary: geography, 1. Show the interactive map or a
1. Continue your discussion about the map on your board.
continent, equator,
map by pointing to the United 2. Explain that there are 5 oceans on
longitude, latitude States of America and asking, Earth and that the United States
Essential Questions: “What is this called?” Explain to touches two of them. The Pacific
students that the United States is Ocean is on the west coast and
*What are the continents
found on North America which is the Atlantic Ocean is on the east
and oceans of the world? the name of our continent. coast.
2. Tell the class that there are 7 3. Use this very interactive website to
*How has the advancement continents on planet Earth and learn facts about each ocean.
of transportation and point to each one on the map. Have students take the ocean quiz

Preview
3. Use the included world map here.
communication facilitated 4. Have students assist you in a
the movement of people continent pieces to reconstruct the
hands-on observation experiment
world map on the carpet or
and goods around the whiteboard.
about salt water. You will need 2
world? glasses, salt, 2 eggs and a spoon.
4. Use this very interactive website to
Pour water into both glasses. Place
learn facts about each continent. 3 spoonfuls of salt into the second
Week “I can statements”: 5. Play “Pin the Plane” using the cue glass. Stir this glass thoroughly. Put
cards and plane. Read the card an egg in both glasses. Have
* I can identify the and students will pin the plane on students observe the egg in the
continents and oceans of the matching continent. salt water and how it floats.
the world.
Activity: Activity:
*I can describe how
1. Give each student a blue paper 1. Have the students take their plate
transportation and maps back to their seat and label
plate (or a white one and they
communication have the oceans on their map.
will color it).
facilitated the movement 2. Next, give each student a copy
2. Watch and sing along to this
of people and goods. video.
of the world map cut-outs.
3. The students will cut out each
continent and place it on the
blue paper plate.
4. Lead the class in labeling the 7
continents of the world.
5. Store the students’ maps in a safe
place to use again tomorrow.

Independent Practice: Independent Practice:

Respond in student reflection log Respond in student reflection
pg. 1 log pg. 2
 Lesson 1: 7 Continents
Social Studies

Preview

©Tara West
 Lesson 1: 7 Continents
Social Studies

I’m thinking of a I’m thinking of a

continent. This continent. This
continent is covered continent is covered
with the world’s with the one of the
largest desert, the world’s largest rivers,
Sahara. the Nile.

I’m thinking of a
I’m thinking of a continent. This

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continent. This continent can reach
continent is entirely temperatures that
covered in ice. are -112 degrees
Fahrenheit.

I’m thinking of a I’m thinking of a

continent. This continent. This
continent contains continent contains a
two-thirds of the stony desert called
world’s people. the Gobi desert.

©Tara West
Preview

©Tara West
 ©Tara West
Print double-sided. Cut the organizer out. Fold down
Social Studies the long, middle line. Cut the individual flaps.

Geography Geography

continent

Preview
equator

longitude

latitude
 ©Tara West

Social Studies

continent:

equator:
Preview
longitude:

latitude:
Social Studies Name:
Directions: Write about what you know about your state.

Preview

6
©Tara West
Social Studies Name:
Directions: Illustrate and write about one physical feature of the United States.

Preview

7
©Tara West
Social Studies

border ©Tara West

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Social Studies

capital ©Tara West

2nd Grade Social Studies
Cultures
Unit: Four
Social Studies
Unit 4 Overview
2nd Grade Social Studies Curriculum is an engaging social studies curriculum with
young learners in mind! 2nd Grade Social Studies encourages young learners to think
“outside the box” and prove their thinking through hands-on and engaging learning
experiences. 2nd Grade Social Studies is based upon five units: Government and
Democracy, Historical Thinking, Geography, Cultures and Economics. Each unit is
broken down to 10 lessons and each lesson can take from 1-2 days to complete. The
units cover at least two weeks of instruction. The lesson plan has the listed
objective, “I can” statement, vocabulary, detailed activity lesson plans and all
necessary student follow-up practice sheets.
2nd Grade Social Studies encourages a daily routine, but please know that as the
teacher you can adjust the lessons and make them best work for your daily schedule
and time allotment. Within each lesson the students will partake in a quick lesson
opener, whole-group skill lesson and the students will take part in a follow-up task.
Please note that all student follow-up practice sheets can be shrunk and placed into a
student journal. You can also choose to have students track their daily activities in
their journal with or without the included response sheets.

Unit 4: Cultures Unit 4: Cultures

Lesson 1 Cultures Lesson 6 Clothes
Lesson 2 African American Folktale Lesson 7 Homes
Lesson 3 Native American Folktale Lesson 8 Games
Lesson 4 Traditions Lesson 9 Exploring Cultures
Lesson 5 Foods Lesson 10 Exploring Cultures

©Tara West
Social Studies
Unit 4 Pictures:

10 days of scripted lesson plans Daily printable sheets

Custom written PowerPoint Books Unit vocabulary cards

Included lesson pieces Social Studies journal labels

©Tara West
2nd Grade Social Studies Unit: Five
Economics
Social Studies
Unit 5 Overview
2nd Grade Social Studies Curriculum is an engaging social studies curriculum with
young learners in mind! 2nd Grade Social Studies encourages young learners to think
“outside the box” and prove their thinking through hands-on and engaging learning
experiences. 2nd Grade Social Studies is based upon five units: Government and
Democracy, Historical Thinking, Geography, Cultures and Economics. Each unit is
broken down to 10 lessons and each lesson can take from 1-2 days to complete. The
units cover at least two weeks of instruction. The lesson plan has the listed
objective, “I can” statement, vocabulary, detailed activity lesson plans and all
necessary student follow-up practice sheets.
2nd Grade Social Studies encourages a daily routine, but please know that as the
teacher you can adjust the lessons and make them best work for your daily schedule
and time allotment. Within each lesson the students will partake in a quick lesson
opener, whole-group skill lesson and the students will take part in a follow-up task.
Please note that all student follow-up practice sheets can be shrunk and placed into a
student journal. You can also choose to have students track their daily activities in
their journal with or without the included response sheets.

Unit 5: Economics Unit 5: Economics

Lesson 1 Economy Lesson 6 Labor and Wages
Lesson 2 Goods and Services Lesson 7 Cost and Benefit
Lesson 3 Producers Lesson 8 Scarcity
Lesson 4 Consumers Lesson 9 Classroom Economy
Lesson 5 Bartering Lesson 10 Saving

©Tara West
Social Studies
Unit 5 Pictures:

10 days of scripted lesson plans Daily printable sheets

Custom written PowerPoint Books Unit vocabulary cards

Included lesson pieces Social Studies journal labels

©Tara West