Homeschool Social Studies Curriculum
A social studies curriculum should give students a better understanding of the world around them and the society they live in. Merriam-Webster defines social studies as, “curriculum concerned with the study of social relationships and the functioning of society and usually made up of courses in history, government, economics, civics, sociology, geography, and anthropology.”
The Time4Learning social studies homeschool curriculum begins in PreK, when young learners are introduced to concepts that help them understand the ins and outs of a community. As students advance to higher grade levels, they’ll expand their knowledge by learning about a number of fundamental topics like human needs and U.S. history as well as more complex matters such as U.S. government and foreign policies.
Why Is Social Studies Important?
A homeschool curriculum would not be complete without a well-rounded social studies program. Social studies teaches students fundamental concepts in economics, politics, and culture that help them understand how the world around them works. History is also an essential focus of any social studies program. Becoming familiar with how communities work, how ancient cultures shaped modern times, and how major local and world events from long ago affect us today, are all important social studies concepts that help students become thoughtful citizens.
The main goal or purpose of learning social studies is to help students develop skills in reasoned and informed decision making, understand the developments that take place around the world, and become aware of and sensitive to other cultures. Honing these skills will lead to active and responsible members of society.
What Do You Learn in Social Studies?
Social studies covers a broad range of topics and concepts that help students have a better understanding of how modern society came to be. The following areas of study are typical of what you would find in a social studies curriculum.
- History – Becoming familiar with important events in history and how they affect the world we live in today.
- Geography – Using maps and learning where the continents, oceans, and countries are located.
- Government – The role government plays in the U.S. and other countries, as well as different political views and how they affect the citizens of a particular place.
- Economics – Learning about the consumption and production of goods and services, cost, labor, and how money affects our world.
- Religion – Studying world religions and different belief systems.
- Anthropology – Exploring ancient societies and cultures, how they lived and developed, and their contributions to modern society.
- Civics – Learning the role a citizen plays in a community as well as the knowledge and skills that help individuals become productive members of society.
Social Studies Curriculum Overview
A social studies curriculum should be inclusive of a wide range of topics, time periods, and regions. Since social studies teaches so many different concepts and subject matter, finding a curriculum that allows you to preview the material or provides access to lesson plans can give you a good idea of what your child is going to learn.
Early on, students will typically begin to understand how the world around them works on a small scale.
- Community and geography
- Major historical events, both in the U.S. and other nations
- Local government, understanding their rights as citizens
- Ethics, the role it plays in society
As students get older, they’ll further their study in the same topics, but delve into more complex themes while exploring new areas.
- Law and the judicial system
- Anthropology, exploring how other cultures and societies developed
- Ancient civilizations, how they helped create a more modern world
- Economics, concepts like labor, supply and demand, and more
Below is what families can expect from the Time4Learning online social studies curriculum.
Social Studies Curriculum for Preschool
The youngest of learners will start to gain an understanding of various social studies concepts with the interactive preschool curriculum. Two levels of activities include social studies themes such as In My Neighborhood, School Time, and My Feelings.
Social Studies Curriculum for Elementary School
The Time4Learning social studies curriculum includes material for studies from second through fifth grade. Though not considered a complete curriculum, the social studies program for elementary school includes hundreds of activities that cover a wide range of topics such as economics, ancient civilizations, geography, U.S. history and also teach important concepts like cardinal directions, map reading, and more.
Social Studies Curriculum for Middle School
The middle school social studies program includes lessons and activities that cover a number of topics for students in sixth and seventh grades. Students in eighth grade have access to seventh grade social studies, and parents can request access to US History I. The homeschool social studies for middle school teaches students about various civilizations like those from China and India, as well as important events such as the Industrial Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression and more.
Social Studies Curriculum for High School
High school social studies includes history, economics, geography, law, sociology, and anthropology. These topics are taught using a combination of authentic tasks, primary sources, and artifact lessons in order to allow high school students to learn using modern and historical resources, just as scholars do. Students can take the courses in any order they wish, although it is recommended that US History I be completed before US History II for better understanding.
Why Choose Time4Learning’s Social Studies Curriculum
Time4Learning provides an online social studies curriculum for students in preschool, 2nd-7th grade, and high school. Our social studies program is organized by grade levels for students in elementary and middle school. For students in high school, the social studies curriculum is broken down into five courses.
Depending on your state’s homeschooling requirements, the elementary and middle school social studies program may or may not correlate to your state’s standards. However, all high school social studies courses are considered complete and therefore correlate to all state standards.
Since members have access to a grade level above and one below their chosen grade, students in first grade, for example, can access second grade social studies, and eighth grade students can request access to seventh grade social studies material or even high school U.S. History I. Parents are free to request changes in grade level at any time.
The multimedia based curriculum is a popular choice for homeschoolers everywhere for a number of reasons including:
- Promotes understanding of other cultures and their beliefs
- Helps build social and intellectual development
- Builds strong foundation of national and world history and current events
- Provides a strong foundation of socio-economics
- Teaches students how to address societal concerns
- Combination of online lessons, instructional videos, and worksheets
- Student-paced approach allows students to take their time and thoroughly understand complex concepts
- 24/7 access from any computer or laptop, anywhere in the world
- Wide-ranging topics give students a well-rounded understanding of various social studies concepts
- Flexible grade levels and ability to repeat lessons and retake tests
- Builds college and career readiness thanks to real-life topics like government and civics
