Social studies facts for kids

Social studies is a school subject that helps you learn about people, places, and how societies work. It's usually taught in elementary, middle, and high schools. It also covers how people behave and interact with each other, both in the past and today.

In social studies, you'll often learn about history, civics (how government works), economics (how money and resources are used), and geography (the study of Earth's features and people).

Social studies is a bit different from social science, even though it includes many topics from social sciences. Think of social studies as a big umbrella that covers many subjects that help us understand the world and our place in it.

What You Learn in Social Studies

Social studies isn't just one subject; it's a mix of many. The main subjects you'll find in social studies are:

• History: Learning about the past and how things have changed over time.
• Geography: Studying the Earth, its places, and how people live on it.
• Economics: Understanding how people make, use, and share goods and services.
• Civics: Learning about your rights and responsibilities as a citizen and how governments work.
• Sociology: Exploring how groups of people live together and interact.

Sometimes, social studies also includes ideas from ethics (right and wrong), psychology (how the mind works), philosophy (big questions about life), anthropology (human cultures), art, and literature. The main goal is to help you understand human beings and their relationships with each other and the world.

Becoming a Social Studies Teacher

To teach social studies in the United States, a person needs a special teaching license for that state. They also need a specific license for social studies. This process usually focuses on the main areas like history, geography, economics, civics, and political science. Each state has its own rules for getting these licenses.

Ten Big Ideas in Social Studies

The National Council for the Social Studies has listed ten important themes that help guide what you learn in social studies from kindergarten all the way through high school. These themes help you understand the human experience.

Culture

This theme helps you explore different cultures and how people live around the world. You learn how culture shapes people's lives and society. It also teaches about multiculturalism, which means understanding and respecting people from different backgrounds.

Time, Continuity, and Change

Here, you look at the past and how events led to the world we live in today. You learn about old beliefs and values and how they connect to the present. This helps you develop skills to investigate history.

People, Places, and Environment

This theme helps you understand yourself, the places you live, and the environment around you. It gives you a spatial view of the world. This is a big part of geography, where you learn about how people use resources, read maps, and analyze information about populations and Earth's systems.

Individual Development and Identity

You'll learn about your own personal identity, how you grow, and why you act the way you do. This helps you understand the things that influence you.

Individuals, Groups, and Institutions

This theme explores how groups (like families or clubs) and institutions (like schools or governments) affect people's daily lives. You learn how these groups are formed, kept going, and how they can change.

Power, Authority, and Governance

You'll learn about different forms of power, authority, and how governments work, from ancient times to today. You'll understand why power exists and what its limits are in society.

Production, Distribution, and Consumption

This theme teaches you how goods and services are made, shared, and used. It prepares you to understand bigger economic issues. Learning about economics and money helps you become smart about participating in the economy as a worker, producer, or consumer.

Science, Technology, and Society

You'll explore the connections between science, technology, and society. You'll learn about how advancements have happened over the years and their impact on the world.

Global Connections

This theme helps you understand how countries and people around the world are connected and depend on each other. You'll see how these global connections shape our everyday lives.

Civic Ideals and Practices

You'll learn about the rights and responsibilities of citizens and how to be an active part of your community. This helps you grow into a full participant in society. Civics teaches values like the right to privacy and respect for diversity. It encourages you to work through democratic processes and to be a "transformative citizen" who actively works for social justice.

Images for kids

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