The purpose of social studies is to develop social understanding and civic efficacy (the readiness and willingness to assume citizenship responsibilities and to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a democratic society.)
The social studies curriculum builds four capacities in young people: disciplinary knowledge, thinking skills, commitment to democratic values, and citizen participation.
Social Studies Content Standards and Benchmarks
To provide schools and parents with a set of learning expectations, parents, educators, business leaders and university professionals developed the Michigan Curriculum Framework (PDF download). The Michigan Social Studies Content Standards and Benchmarks are part of this framework.
Social Studies Basic Geographic Concepts
Early Elementary:
Human Characteristics
of Location State
Place Community Country
Natural Characteristics of Movement Boundaries
Place Human Connection Major World Event
Environment to Place
Human Wants and Needs Region
Added at Later Elementary:
Cultures Modify
Physical Geography
Community Characteristics Economic Activity Economic Geography
Ecosystem Migration Cultural Geography
Processes Transportation Great Lakes Ecosystem
Resources Communication Physical and Human
Physical Patterns Sketch Maps Processes
Land Use Geography
Adapt
Added at Middle School:
World Regions Governments
Global Consequences
Human Environment Economic and Geographic Aspects of
Interaction Political Connections World Events
Occupations Patterns
Social Studies
Basic Civic Concepts
Early Elementary:
Authority Government
Rules
Justice Freedom Conflicts
Core Democratic Values Decisions Influence
National Events International Events
Added at Later
Elementary:
State, Local, and
National Government Institutions
Limiting Power of Government Campaigns
Declaration of Independence State & Federal Courts
Special Rights (guaranteed Citizen's Responsibilities
by the Constitution)
Laws (making, enforcing, and
interpreting)
Added at Middle
School:
Constitution Representative
Democracy
Alternate forms of Government Civic Procedures
Common Good Individual Rights
Disparities in American Ideals Criminal Procedure
and Realities
International Governmental
Organizations
Social Studies Basic Economic Concepts
Early Elementary:
Production Consumption
Goods
Services Resources Distribution
Markets Market Economy Currency
Economic Exchanges Coin
Cash
Added at Later
Elementary:
Scarcity Economic
Decisions Opportunity Costs
Decision Making Model Costs Benefits
Consumer Credit Natural Resources Human Capital
Capital Equipment Individual Ownership Partnership
Corporation Public Good
Service Public Goods Economic Dispute
Prices Trade International Trade
Distribution Importers Exporters
Added at Middle
School:
Price Economic Trends
Profit
Risks Entrepreneur Distribution
Private Goods Economic Measurement Taxation
Role of the Government in Scarcity Economic Institutions
the Economy Demand Incentives
Command Economies Barter Supply
Commerce
Social Studies
Basic Historical Concepts
Early Elementary:
Clocks Tell time
Personal Virtue Historical Narratives
Weeks, Months, and Years are Records from the Past Historical Facts
Intervals of Time Primary Documents Historical Interpretations
Past, Present, and Future Stories from the Past Point of View
Chronological Order Personal History Evaluate the Decision of
Good Character Family History Others
Added at Later
Elementary:
Primary Sources
Conflicting Viewpoints
Decades and Centuries Values and Interests
Sequence Ethical Considerations
Graphic Data Short-term and Long-term
Comparing the Past Consequences
Added at Middle
School:
Timeline Secondary
Records Historical Biographies
Defining Characteristic Perspective Crimes Against Humanity
Historical Origins Contemporary Factors Core Democratic Values
Historical Eras Alternative Courses of Action
Reconstruction
Historic Violations of Human Dignity
