What does social studies look like this year?

Students learn how communities work. They look at maps and globes, talk about rules and leaders, think about needs and wants, and hear stories from the past. Most of the work happens through pictures, short stories, and class discussion.

How can families help with social studies at home?

Talk about everyday things in social studies terms. Point out the mayor on the news, look at a map before a road trip, or ask why a toy costs more than a snack. Five minutes of conversation builds more than a worksheet.

What should students know about maps by the end of the year?

Students should read a simple map with a key, point to land and water, and use words like north, south, east, and west. They should also be able to find their town, state, and country on a map of the world.

Do students need to memorize a lot of dates and names?

Not at this age. The goal is to build a feel for the past and a few key people and events, not a timeline of facts. Stories, picture books, and short videos do most of the work.

How should units be sequenced across the year?

Many teachers start close to home with rules, jobs, and the local community, then move out to the state, the country, and the wider world. Geography skills like map reading can run alongside each unit so students keep practicing.

Which ideas usually need the most reteaching?

Scarcity and trade-offs trip students up, since wanting something and being able to get it feel like the same thing at this age. The three levels of government also need repeated, concrete examples like the school principal, the governor, and the president.

What is a simple way to teach economics to a seven-year-old?

Use real choices. Give students a pretend budget of ten coins and three things to buy. They will quickly see that picking one thing means giving up another. That is scarcity and trade-offs in one short activity.

How do students learn about Pennsylvania history at this age?

Through people and places, not dates. Students hear about William Penn, Philadelphia, and local landmarks, and connect those stories to their own town. A field trip or a picture book often does more than a textbook page.

How do I know students are ready for next year?

Ready students can describe their community, read a basic map, explain why people trade, and retell a short story from the past in their own words. If a student can answer who, where, and why about a picture or map, they are in good shape.

What does a student learn in ?

This is the year social studies grows past the classroom and into the wider community. Students learn how local government works, why rules matter, and how leaders are chosen. They start using maps to find places, talk about needs and wants, and hear stories from Pennsylvania's past. By spring, students can name a community helper, point to their state on a map, and explain why people trade.

Community helpers
Maps and globes
Needs and wants
Rules and laws
Pennsylvania history
Local government

Source: Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Core Standards

Year at a glance

How the year usually goes. Every school and district set their own curriculum, so treat this as a guide, not official pacing.

1
Our community and its people
Students start the year close to home. They look at the neighborhoods, schools, and groups they belong to, and notice the jobs people do and the rules that help everyone get along.
2
Rules, rights, and good citizens
Students learn why classrooms, towns, and the country need rules. They talk about fair treatment, voting, and what it means to be a good citizen at school and at home.
3
Maps and the world around us
Students practice reading simple maps and globes. They find landforms like rivers and mountains, talk about weather in different places, and notice how people change the land where they live.
4
Needs, wants, and money choices
Students sort needs from wants and think about why people cannot have everything. They learn how money, jobs, and saving work, and how shoppers and sellers make choices.
5
Stories from the past
Students step back in time. They hear about important people and events in Pennsylvania and the wider country, and compare daily life long ago with daily life now.

Mastery Learning Standards

The required skills a student should display by the end of Grade 2.

Civics and Government

Principles and Documents

PA-SS.CIV.2.1

Students learn what the U.S. Constitution and Pennsylvania's founding documents actually say and why those rules exist. They connect the ideas behind the documents to how government works today.
Rights and Responsibilities

PA-SS.CIV.2.2

Citizens have rights, like free speech, and responsibilities, like following laws. Students learn why rules and laws exist and what it means to be part of a community.
Government Structure

PA-SS.CIV.2.3

Students learn how local, state, and federal governments are set up and what each level actually does. Think city hall, the state capitol, and Washington, D.C., and how decisions get made at each place.
International Relations

PA-SS.CIV.2.4

Nations are countries, and they deal with each other in different ways. Students learn how countries make agreements, buy and sell goods across borders, and sometimes disagree or go to war.

Standard	Definition	Code
Principles and Documents	Students learn what the U.S. Constitution and Pennsylvania's founding documents actually say and why those rules exist. They connect the ideas behind the documents to how government works today.	PA-SS.CIV.2.1
Rights and Responsibilities	Citizens have rights, like free speech, and responsibilities, like following laws. Students learn why rules and laws exist and what it means to be part of a community.	PA-SS.CIV.2.2
Government Structure	Students learn how local, state, and federal governments are set up and what each level actually does. Think city hall, the state capitol, and Washington, D.C., and how decisions get made at each place.	PA-SS.CIV.2.3
International Relations	Nations are countries, and they deal with each other in different ways. Students learn how countries make agreements, buy and sell goods across borders, and sometimes disagree or go to war.	PA-SS.CIV.2.4

Civics and Government

Principles and Documents

PA-SS.CIV.2.1

Students learn what the U.S. Constitution and Pennsylvania's founding documents actually say and why those rules exist. They connect the ideas behind the documents to how government works today.
Rights and Responsibilities

PA-SS.CIV.2.2

Citizens have rights, like free speech, and responsibilities, like following laws. Students learn why rules and laws exist and what it means to be part of a community.
Government Structure

PA-SS.CIV.2.3

Students learn how local, state, and federal governments are set up and what each level actually does. Think city hall, the state capitol, and Washington, D.C., and how decisions get made at each place.
International Relations

PA-SS.CIV.2.4

Nations are countries, and they deal with each other in different ways. Students learn how countries make agreements, buy and sell goods across borders, and sometimes disagree or go to war.

Standard	Definition	Code
Principles and Documents	Students learn what the U.S. Constitution and Pennsylvania's founding documents actually say and why those rules exist. They connect the ideas behind the documents to how government works today.	PA-SS.CIV.2.1
Rights and Responsibilities	Citizens have rights, like free speech, and responsibilities, like following laws. Students learn why rules and laws exist and what it means to be part of a community.	PA-SS.CIV.2.2
Government Structure	Students learn how local, state, and federal governments are set up and what each level actually does. Think city hall, the state capitol, and Washington, D.C., and how decisions get made at each place.	PA-SS.CIV.2.3
International Relations	Nations are countries, and they deal with each other in different ways. Students learn how countries make agreements, buy and sell goods across borders, and sometimes disagree or go to war.	PA-SS.CIV.2.4

Economics

Scarcity and Choice

PA-SS.ECON.2.1

Scarcity means there isn't enough of something for everyone who wants it. Students learn why people, families, and communities have to choose between options and what they give up when they pick one thing over another.
Markets and Economic Systems

PA-SS.ECON.2.2

Markets are places where buyers and sellers agree on prices. Students learn how prices signal what things cost, and how competition between sellers affects what people can buy and afford.
Money and Banking

PA-SS.ECON.2.3

Money is used to buy goods and services, and banks are places where people save or borrow it. Students learn why money matters in daily life and how borrowing affects what people can afford.
Economic Decision Making

PA-SS.ECON.2.4

Students look at the costs and benefits before making a money choice, like whether to save or spend. The same thinking applies to community decisions, such as whether a town should build a park or fix a road.

Standard	Definition	Code
Scarcity and Choice	Scarcity means there isn't enough of something for everyone who wants it. Students learn why people, families, and communities have to choose between options and what they give up when they pick one thing over another.	PA-SS.ECON.2.1
Markets and Economic Systems	Markets are places where buyers and sellers agree on prices. Students learn how prices signal what things cost, and how competition between sellers affects what people can buy and afford.	PA-SS.ECON.2.2
Money and Banking	Money is used to buy goods and services, and banks are places where people save or borrow it. Students learn why money matters in daily life and how borrowing affects what people can afford.	PA-SS.ECON.2.3
Economic Decision Making	Students look at the costs and benefits before making a money choice, like whether to save or spend. The same thinking applies to community decisions, such as whether a town should build a park or fix a road.	PA-SS.ECON.2.4

Economics

Scarcity and Choice

PA-SS.ECON.2.1

Scarcity means there isn't enough of something for everyone who wants it. Students learn why people, families, and communities have to choose between options and what they give up when they pick one thing over another.
Markets and Economic Systems

PA-SS.ECON.2.2

Markets are places where buyers and sellers agree on prices. Students learn how prices signal what things cost, and how competition between sellers affects what people can buy and afford.
Money and Banking

PA-SS.ECON.2.3

Money is used to buy goods and services, and banks are places where people save or borrow it. Students learn why money matters in daily life and how borrowing affects what people can afford.
Economic Decision Making

PA-SS.ECON.2.4

Students look at the costs and benefits before making a money choice, like whether to save or spend. The same thinking applies to community decisions, such as whether a town should build a park or fix a road.

Standard	Definition	Code
Scarcity and Choice	Scarcity means there isn't enough of something for everyone who wants it. Students learn why people, families, and communities have to choose between options and what they give up when they pick one thing over another.	PA-SS.ECON.2.1
Markets and Economic Systems	Markets are places where buyers and sellers agree on prices. Students learn how prices signal what things cost, and how competition between sellers affects what people can buy and afford.	PA-SS.ECON.2.2
Money and Banking	Money is used to buy goods and services, and banks are places where people save or borrow it. Students learn why money matters in daily life and how borrowing affects what people can afford.	PA-SS.ECON.2.3
Economic Decision Making	Students look at the costs and benefits before making a money choice, like whether to save or spend. The same thinking applies to community decisions, such as whether a town should build a park or fix a road.	PA-SS.ECON.2.4

Geography

Geographic Tools and Spatial Concepts

PA-SS.GEO.2.1

Students read maps and globes to describe where places are, how far apart they are, and what the land and water around them look like.
Physical Characteristics

PA-SS.GEO.2.2

Students describe what makes a place look and feel the way it does, like its mountains, rivers, or deserts, and explain what the weather and plants and animals are like there.
Human Characteristics

PA-SS.GEO.2.3

Students look at how people live in a place: the work they do, where they build their homes, and the traditions they share. This helps students understand why different places feel and look different from one another.
Human-Environment Interaction

PA-SS.GEO.2.4

Students learn why people change the land around them (by building roads or farms) and how those changes affect the plants, animals, and people who live there.

Standard	Definition	Code
Geographic Tools and Spatial Concepts	Students read maps and globes to describe where places are, how far apart they are, and what the land and water around them look like.	PA-SS.GEO.2.1
Physical Characteristics	Students describe what makes a place look and feel the way it does, like its mountains, rivers, or deserts, and explain what the weather and plants and animals are like there.	PA-SS.GEO.2.2
Human Characteristics	Students look at how people live in a place: the work they do, where they build their homes, and the traditions they share. This helps students understand why different places feel and look different from one another.	PA-SS.GEO.2.3
Human-Environment Interaction	Students learn why people change the land around them (by building roads or farms) and how those changes affect the plants, animals, and people who live there.	PA-SS.GEO.2.4

Geography

Geographic Tools and Spatial Concepts

PA-SS.GEO.2.1

Students read maps and globes to describe where places are, how far apart they are, and what the land and water around them look like.
Physical Characteristics

PA-SS.GEO.2.2

Students describe what makes a place look and feel the way it does, like its mountains, rivers, or deserts, and explain what the weather and plants and animals are like there.
Human Characteristics

PA-SS.GEO.2.3

Students look at how people live in a place: the work they do, where they build their homes, and the traditions they share. This helps students understand why different places feel and look different from one another.
Human-Environment Interaction

PA-SS.GEO.2.4

Students learn why people change the land around them (by building roads or farms) and how those changes affect the plants, animals, and people who live there.

Standard	Definition	Code
Geographic Tools and Spatial Concepts	Students read maps and globes to describe where places are, how far apart they are, and what the land and water around them look like.	PA-SS.GEO.2.1
Physical Characteristics	Students describe what makes a place look and feel the way it does, like its mountains, rivers, or deserts, and explain what the weather and plants and animals are like there.	PA-SS.GEO.2.2
Human Characteristics	Students look at how people live in a place: the work they do, where they build their homes, and the traditions they share. This helps students understand why different places feel and look different from one another.	PA-SS.GEO.2.3
Human-Environment Interaction	Students learn why people change the land around them (by building roads or farms) and how those changes affect the plants, animals, and people who live there.	PA-SS.GEO.2.4

History

Historical Analysis

PA-SS.HIST.2.1

Reading about people and events from the past, students practice explaining why things happened and what those events meant, not just naming dates and facts.
Pennsylvania History

PA-SS.HIST.2.2

Students learn about important people and events in Pennsylvania's past and how they connect to the larger story of American history.
United States History

PA-SS.HIST.2.3

Students learn about important moments in American history that shaped the country. Think explorers, early settlements, and the founding of the nation.
World History

PA-SS.HIST.2.4

Students learn about important events and people from around the world, like ancient civilizations, famous leaders, or turning points that changed how people lived. The focus stays on big moments that shaped history beyond the United States.

Standard	Definition	Code
Historical Analysis	Reading about people and events from the past, students practice explaining why things happened and what those events meant, not just naming dates and facts.	PA-SS.HIST.2.1
Pennsylvania History	Students learn about important people and events in Pennsylvania's past and how they connect to the larger story of American history.	PA-SS.HIST.2.2
United States History	Students learn about important moments in American history that shaped the country. Think explorers, early settlements, and the founding of the nation.	PA-SS.HIST.2.3
World History	Students learn about important events and people from around the world, like ancient civilizations, famous leaders, or turning points that changed how people lived. The focus stays on big moments that shaped history beyond the United States.	PA-SS.HIST.2.4

History

Historical Analysis

PA-SS.HIST.2.1

Reading about people and events from the past, students practice explaining why things happened and what those events meant, not just naming dates and facts.
Pennsylvania History

PA-SS.HIST.2.2

Students learn about important people and events in Pennsylvania's past and how they connect to the larger story of American history.
United States History

PA-SS.HIST.2.3

Students learn about important moments in American history that shaped the country. Think explorers, early settlements, and the founding of the nation.
World History

PA-SS.HIST.2.4

Students learn about important events and people from around the world, like ancient civilizations, famous leaders, or turning points that changed how people lived. The focus stays on big moments that shaped history beyond the United States.

Standard	Definition	Code
Historical Analysis	Reading about people and events from the past, students practice explaining why things happened and what those events meant, not just naming dates and facts.	PA-SS.HIST.2.1
Pennsylvania History	Students learn about important people and events in Pennsylvania's past and how they connect to the larger story of American history.	PA-SS.HIST.2.2
United States History	Students learn about important moments in American history that shaped the country. Think explorers, early settlements, and the founding of the nation.	PA-SS.HIST.2.3
World History	Students learn about important events and people from around the world, like ancient civilizations, famous leaders, or turning points that changed how people lived. The focus stays on big moments that shaped history beyond the United States.	PA-SS.HIST.2.4

No state assessments at this grade

Students take their next one in Grade 4.

National Monitoring

NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress)

Federally administered sample-based assessment in reading, mathematics, science, and writing. NAEP results inform state-by-state comparisons rather than individual student or school accountability.

When given:: biennial in winter
Frequency:: every two years

Official source

Common Questions

What does social studies look like this year?
Students learn how communities work. They look at maps and globes, talk about rules and leaders, think about needs and wants, and hear stories from the past. Most of the work happens through pictures, short stories, and class discussion.
How can families help with social studies at home?
Talk about everyday things in social studies terms. Point out the mayor on the news, look at a map before a road trip, or ask why a toy costs more than a snack. Five minutes of conversation builds more than a worksheet.
What should students know about maps by the end of the year?
Students should read a simple map with a key, point to land and water, and use words like north, south, east, and west. They should also be able to find their town, state, and country on a map of the world.
Do students need to memorize a lot of dates and names?
Not at this age. The goal is to build a feel for the past and a few key people and events, not a timeline of facts. Stories, picture books, and short videos do most of the work.
How should units be sequenced across the year?
Many teachers start close to home with rules, jobs, and the local community, then move out to the state, the country, and the wider world. Geography skills like map reading can run alongside each unit so students keep practicing.
Which ideas usually need the most reteaching?
Scarcity and trade-offs trip students up, since wanting something and being able to get it feel like the same thing at this age. The three levels of government also need repeated, concrete examples like the school principal, the governor, and the president.
What is a simple way to teach economics to a seven-year-old?
Use real choices. Give students a pretend budget of ten coins and three things to buy. They will quickly see that picking one thing means giving up another. That is scarcity and trade-offs in one short activity.
How do students learn about Pennsylvania history at this age?
Through people and places, not dates. Students hear about William Penn, Philadelphia, and local landmarks, and connect those stories to their own town. A field trip or a picture book often does more than a textbook page.
How do I know students are ready for next year?
Ready students can describe their community, read a basic map, explain why people trade, and retell a short story from the past in their own words. If a student can answer who, where, and why about a picture or map, they are in good shape.