Vermont State Standards for Social Studies: Grade 2

VT.6.1. Critical Evaluation: Causes and Effects in Human Societies: Students examine complex webs of causes and effects in relations to events in order to generalize about the workings of human societies, and they apply their findings to problems.

H&SS1-2:1. Grade Level Expectation: Social and Historical Questioning: Students initiate an inquiry by:

1-2:1.a. Asking questions based on what they have seen, what they have read, what they have listened to, and/or what they have researched as a class (e.g., How is living in Vermont different than living in Florida?). 10
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:1.a.

H&SS1-2:2. Grade Level Expectation: Hypothesis/Research Statement: Students develop a hypothesis, thesis, or research statement by:

1-2:2.a. Using prior knowledge to share ideas about possible answers to questions (e.g., How do people use teamwork to get jobs done?). 10
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:2.a.

H&SS1-2:3. Grade Level Expectation: Research Plan: Students design research by:

1-2:3.a. Identifying resources for finding answers to their questions (e.g., books, videos, people, and the Internet). 10
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:3.a.

1-2:3.b. Explaining what their jobs will be during an inquiry investigation (e.g., drawing pictures after a field trip). 10
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:3.b.

1-2:3.c. Planning how to organize information so it can be shared. 32
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:3.c.

H&SS1-2:4. Grade Level Expectation: Conducting Research: Students conduct research by:

1-2:4.a. Following directions to complete an inquiry. 11
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:4.a.

1-2:4.b. Asking questions and observing during the investigation process. 11
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:4.b.

1-2:4.c. Recording observations with words, numbers, symbols, and/or pictures (e.g., drawing or labeling a diagram, creating a title for a drawing or diagram, recording data provided by the teacher in a table). 22
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:4.c.

H&SS1-2:5. Grade Level Expectation: Conducting Research: Students develop reasonable explanations that support the research statement by:

1-2:5.a. Organizing and displaying information (e.g., table, chart, graph) 13
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:5.a.

1-2:5.b. Classifying information and justifying groupings based on observations, prior knowledge, or experience. 25
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:5.b.

H&SS1-2:6. Grade Level Expectation: Students make connections to research by:

1-2:6.a. Discussing if their findings answered their research question. 13
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:6.a.

1-2:6.b. Proposing solutions to problems and asking other questions. 12
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:6.b.

H&SS1-2:7. Grade Level Expectation: Students communicate their findings by:

1-2:7.a. Speaking, using pictures, (including captions) or creating a simple report or 'painted essay' containing a focus statement, details, and conclusions. 10
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:7.a.

H&SS1-2:8. Grade Level Expectation: Students connect the past with the present by:

1-2:8.a. Classifying objects from long ago and today (e.g., sorting pictures or objects into two groups: 'long ago' and 'today'). 13
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:8.a.

1-2:8.b. Exploring objects and looking closely at similarities, differences, patterns, and change. 13
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:8.b.

1-2:8.c. Describing ways that school life has both changed and stayed the same over time (e.g., a one-room schoolhouse vs. modern schools). 9
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:8.c.

1-2:8.d. Identifying how events and people have shaped their schools or towns (e.g., How does life change when one moves to a different town?). 10
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:8.d.

H&SS1-2:9. Grade Level Expectation: Students show understanding of how humans interpret history by:

1-2:9.a. Collecting information about the past (e.g., through interviews, photos and artifacts). 18
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:9.a.

1-2:9.b. Differentiating among fact, opinion, and interpretation of classroom situations, stories, and other media. 16
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:9.b.

H&SS1-2:10. Grade Level Expectation: Students show understanding of past, present, and future time by:

1-2:10.a. Placing events that occurred within the school or community setting in their correct sequence. 23
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:10.a.

1-2:10.b. Constructing a time line of events in the history of their own or another family, or of the school or community. 20
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:10.b.

1-2:10.c. Measuring calendar time by days, weeks, and months (e.g., How old are you?). 6
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:10.c.

1-2:10.d. Identifying an important event in their lives and/or schools, and discussing changes that resulted (e.g., after the new baby arrived, I had to share a bedroom with my sister). 13
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:10.d.

VT.6.7. Geography: Geographical Knowledge: Students use geographical knowledge and images of various places to understand the present, communicate historical interpretations, develop solutions for problems, and plan for the future.

H&SS1-2:11. Grade Level Expectation: Students interpret geography and solve geographic problems by:

1-2:11.a. Writing their names and addresses. 4
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:11.a.

1-2:11.b. Identifying characteristics of a neighborhood or community using resources such as road signs, landmarks, models, maps, photographs and mental mapping. 3
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1-2:11.c. Differentiating between neighborhood, town, and state. 11
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1-2:11.d. Identifying the locations of places within the community on a prepared map, and suggesting why particular locations are used for certain human activities (e.g., parks, school, shops, etc.). 7
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:11.d.

1-2:11.e. Identifying a map or globe and using terms related to location, direction, and distance (e.g., up/down, left/right, near/far, here/there, north, south, east, west). 2
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:11.e.

1-2:11.f. Using a simple map to find something (e.g., locating the teacher's desk on a map of their classrooms). 6
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1-2:11.g. Creating a map as a representation of a space (e.g., making a map of the playground, drawing a treasure map). 3
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:11.g.

1-2:11.h. Identifying and using basic elements of the map (e.g., cardinal directions and key). 7
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1-2:11.i. Using appropriate geographic resources (e.g., aerial photos) to answer geographic questions. 7
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:11.i.

H&SS1-2:12. Grade Level Expectation: Students show understanding of human interaction with the environment over time by:

1-2:12.a. Identifying ways in which they and people in the community take care of or hurt the environment (e.g., after identifying litter in the local area, discussing why the trash is there and giving suggestions about how the problem can be helped). 27
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:12.a.

1-2:12.b. Participating in taking care of the environment (e.g., gardening, recycling). 27
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:12.b.

1-2:12.c. Identifying ways in which people in their community adapt to their physical environment, and discussing how these adaptations have both positive and negative effects.

1-2:12.d. Recognizing reasons why friends and family move (e.g., climate, job opportunities, family ties). 9
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:12.d.

H&SS1-2:13. Grade Level Expectation: Students analyze how and why cultures continue and change over time by:

1-3:13.a. Identifying ways culture is expressed in their communities, such as celebrations, legends, and traditions. 16
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-3:13.a.

1-3:13.b. Describing the contributions of various cultural groups to the community. 6
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-3:13.b.

VT.6.9. Citizenship: Meaning of Citizenship: Students examine and debate the meaning of citizenship and act as citizens in a democratic society.

H&SS1-2:14. Grade Level Expectation: Students act as citizens by:

1-2:14.a. Describing what it means to be a responsible member of a group. 9
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:14.a.

1-2:14.b. Describing what his/her role is as a member of various groups. 24
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:14.b.

1-2:14.c. Demonstrating positive interaction with group members (e.g., working with a partner to complete a task). 9
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1-2:14.d. Explaining their own point of view on issues that affect themselves. 3
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:14.d.

1-2:14.e. Participating in setting and following the rules of the group, school, community. 7
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:14.e.

H&SS1-2:15. Grade Level Expectation: Students show understanding of various forms of government by:

1-2:15.a. Identifying rules or laws that solve a specific problem or apply to a specific situation (e.g., raising hands, crossing at the light, wearing bike helmet). 6
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:15.a.

1-2:15.b. Explaining why rules and laws are written down. 9
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1-2:15.c. Identifying the consequences of not following rules or laws. 7
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:15.c.

1-2:15.d. Describing characteristics of good leadership and fair decision-making and how that affects others (e.g., line leader, team captain). 6
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:15.d.

H&SS1-2:16. Grade Level Expectation: Students examine how different societies address issues of human interdependence by:

1-2:16.a. Explaining that people have rights and needs (e.g. fairness, safety). 5
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:16.a.

1-2:16.b. Identifying how the groups to which a person belongs (family, friends, team, community) influence how she or he thinks and acts. 21
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:16.b.

1-2:16.c. Defining their own rights and needs - and the rights and needs of others - in the classroom, school, and playground (e.g., 'I' statements, learning to be assertive, taking care of yourself). 6
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:16.c.

1-2:16.d. Giving examples of ways that she or he is similar to and different from others (e.g., gender, eye color, hair color, skin color, likes and dislikes, etc.). 11
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:16.d.

1-2:16.e. Identifying examples of interdependence among individuals and groups (e.g., family, sports team). 23
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1-2:16.f. Practicing communication skills with individuals and groups. 7
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:16.f.

1-2:16.g. Describing feelings and situations that might lead to conflict (e.g., fighting over being first in line). 8
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1-2:16.h. Describing ways that people solve problems. 16
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:16.h.

H&SS1-2:17. Grade Level Expectation: Students examine how access to various institutions affects justice, reward, and power by:

1-2:17.a. Identifying ways in which local institutions promote the common good (e.g., police enforce rules and laws, fire department, ambulances). 2
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:17.a.

VT.6.15. Economics: Knowledge of Economic Principles: Students use the basic principles of economics to interpret local, state, national, and international economic activity.

H&SS1-2:18. Grade Level Expectation: Students show an understanding of the interaction/ interdependence between humans, the environment, and the economy by:

1-2:18.a. Participating in activities as a buyer or seller (e.g., bake sale, school store), and discussing where goods come from (e.g., clothing, toys, foods). 10
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:18.a.

1-2:18.b. Identifying economic activities that use resources in the local region (e.g., maple syrup production, logging).

1-2:18.c. Identifying jobs people do in the community, and the value these jobs bring to the community (e.g., road crews help keep people safe while driving). 12
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:18.c.

H&SS1-2:19. Grade Level Expectation: Students show understanding of the interconnectedness between government and the economy by:

1-2:19.a. Identifying some goods and services that are provided by the local government (e.g., schools, parks, police, fire protection). 1
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:19.a.

1-2:19.b. Describing ways in which people exchange money for goods (e.g., buying lunch or snack). 8
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:19.b.

H&SS1-2:20. Grade Level Expectation: Students make economic decisions as a consumer, producer, saver, investor, and citizen by:

1-2:20.a. Recognizing the differences between the basic needs and wants (e.g., food, clothing, shelter, and affection vs. toys and sweets). 3
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:20.a.

1-2:20.b. Explaining why people earn, spend, and save. 4
Suggested Titles for Vermont Social Studies State Standard 1-2:20.b.