CA Social Studies Standards (Grade 1)

Understand the rule-making process in a direct democracy (everyone votes on the rules) and in a representative democracy (an elected group of people make the rules), giving examples of both systems in their classroom, school, and community.

Understand the elements of fair play and good sportsmanship, respect for the rights and opinions of others, and respect for rules by which we live, including the meaning of the "Golden Rule."

Locate on maps and globes their local community, California, the United States, the seven continents, and the four oceans.

Compare the information that can be derived from a three-dimensional model to the information that can be derived from a picture of the same location.

Construct a simple map, using cardinal directions and map symbols.

Describe how location, weather, and physical environment affect the way people live, including the effects on their food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and recreation.

Recite the Pledge of Allegiance and sing songs that express American ideals (e.g., "My Country 'Tis of Thee").

Understand the significance of our national holidays and the heroism and achievements of the people associated with them.

Identify American symbols, landmarks, and essential documents, such as the flag, bald eagle, Statue of Liberty, U.S. Constitution, and Declaration of Independence, and know the people and events associated with them.

Examine the structure of schools and communities in the past.

Study transportation methods of earlier days.

Recognize similarities and differences of earlier generations in such areas as work (inside and outside the home), dress, manners, stories, games, and festivals, drawing from biographies, oral histories, and folklore.

Recognize the ways in which they are all part of the same community, sharing principles, goals, and traditions despite their varied ancestry; the forms of diversity in their school and community; and the benefits and challenges of a diverse population.

Understand the ways in which American Indians and immigrants have helped define Californian and American culture.

Compare the beliefs, customs, ceremonies, traditions, and social practices of the varied cultures, drawing from folklore.

Understand the concept of exchange and the use of money to purchase goods and services.

Identify the specialized work that people do to manufacture, transport, and market goods and services and the contributions of those who work in the home.