As part of the alternative learning experience (aka Homeschooling) agreement with the public school system that October participates in, I have to provide documentation for what she is learning at home in each of the core subjects.  At my last meeting, the teacher asked what we were doing for social studies.  We did all the first grade state requirements for social studies last year as the kindergarten standards were sparse and boring.  This year we’ve been studying Ancient Civilizations as our Social Studies curriculum.  Nonetheless, I looked up the 1st and 2nd grade state standards for social studies and I realized something.  Kids that are not confined to a classroom all day and who are out in their communities visiting libraries, museums, parks and participating in various activities are already learning most of what the state sets as standards.  For example here are some of the 1st grade standards:

Understands that when individuals and families make choices about meeting their needs and wants, something is gained and something is given up.

Well duh….what parent hasn’t explained that if we spend all our money on toys we don’t have money for groceries.

Understands and creates family timelines to show events in a sequential manner.

Kids get and have been figuring out for awhile who was born first then next then next.

Understands how questions are used to find out information.

Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?  Doesn’t the Why stage start about 3 years old and if you actually answer their questions they don’t ever stop asking why.

Here are some of the 2nd grade standards:

  • Understands the physical  characteristics of places in the community.
  • Understands and applies basic mapping elements such as symbols, compass rose, labels, and a key to read and construct maps that display information about neighborhoods or local communities.

Yes, if kids are out walking paths in their community they get where and what rivers are, lakes, marshes, etc and sometimes we even do follow maps to get places that have these characteristics as well.  And when we visit the zoo, October wants to read the map herself and guide us around which means learning how to read the map as we are also exploring the zoo.

  • Knows and follows school rules.  Participates in creating and upholding rules for the
    classroom community.  Demonstrate ways to be a good citizen at home and  at school.

Don’t the kids learn this every time we talk about how to behave at the library, at the fish hatchery, at the park, that we pick up our garbage, we respect others and property?

I’ll continue teaching about Ancient Civilizations and continue comparing and contrasting to our life now.  And maybe I’ll even learn about geochaching and take the kids out to further work on map reading skills.  Now that would be fun!

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