Pre-K Social Studies

Pre-K 4
 Social Studies

Implementation of Maryland’s Prekindergarten Social Studies Framework Links to an external site. is taught through the Connect4Learning curriculum and HCPSS lessons.

There Prekindergarten Social Studies Framework groups standards by Unit, each with major topic areas:

  • Unit 1: Civics (C)
  • Unit 2: Georgraphy (G)
  • Unit 3: Economics (E)
  • Unit 4: History (H)

Due to the interdiscplinary nature of the Pre-K curriculum, some standards are taught throughout the year and most quarters include multiple units. Grading guidance is included at the bottom of this page.

In addition to lessons from Connect4Learning taught throughout the quarter, each quarter will include resources to address the social studies standards. These resources include required social studies lessons as well as prompts and questions to address the standards. Additionally, teachers may develop follow-up instructional activities as needed to support student understanding of the standard(s).

The C4L-Social Studies Crosswalk Links to an external site. demonstrates alignment of Connect4Learning lessons and centers to the social studies standards. When applicable, specific prompts and centers to address the standards will be noted and included in unit resources.

HCPSS Pre-K (PK4) Social Studies Guide

The HCPSS Pre-K (PK4) Social Studies Guide Links to an external site. provides teachers with information for teaching Pre-K Social Studies standards within the context of the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) approved curriculum, Connect4Learning (C4L), and early childhood best practices. In each quarter, the major Social Studies topic areas are labeled as they are addressed and/or supported through whole groups, small groups, and learning centers.

It is important to note that this is a “live” document, and updates may occur. Please refer to the PK (4) Social Studies Crosswalk Links to an external site. for a complete list of all Pre-K Social Studies standards.

Quarter 1

Quarter 1 social studies will include instruction and/or application of the following units and topics:

  • Unit 1, Civics: Rules

Some standards will be addressed through Connect4Learning (C4L) lessons. A Unit 1 Mini Unit includes scripted lessons for standards not already taught through C4L lessons. Additional connections to the unit can be accessed via the HCPSS Pre-K (PK4) Social Studies Guide.

Unit 1 Mini Unit (First Two Weeks of School)

This Mini Unit is designed to be taught during the first two weeks of schools. Lesson plans are provided as Google Docs and accessed at the link below. 

Quarter 1 Pre-K (4) Social Studies Mini Unit (First Two Weeks of School, Required) Links to an external site.

Additional Quarter 1 Connections

HCPSS Pre-K (PK4) Social Studies Guide Links to an external site.

Quarter 2

Quarter 2 social studies will include instruction and/or application of the following units and topics:

  • Unit 1, Civics: Conflict and Compromise
  • Unit 2, Geography: Place, Human and Environmental Interactions

Some standards will be addressed through Connect4Learning (C4L) lessons. Additional resources for standards not sufficiently taught through C4L lessons can be accessed at the link below.

Additional Quarter 2 Connections

HCPSS Pre-K (PK4) Social Studies Guide Links to an external site.

Quarter 3

Quarter 3 social studies will include instruction and/or application of the following units and topics:

  • Unit 1, Civics: Conflict and Compromise
  • Unit 2, Geography: Place, Movement
  • Unit 3, Economics: Choice, Financial Literacy
  • Unit 4, History: Chronology, Life in the Past

Some standards will be addressed through Connect4Learning (C4L) lessons. Additional resources for standards not sufficiently taught through C4L lessons can be accessed at the link below.

Additional Quarter 3 Connections

HCPSS Pre-K (PK4) Social Studies Guide Links to an external site.

Quarter 4

Quarter 4 social studies will include instruction and/or application of the following units and topics:

  • Unit 1, Civics: Freedom
  • Unit 3, Economics: Scarcity, Trade, Financial Literacy

Some standards will be addressed through Connect4Learning (C4L) lessons. Additional resources for standards not sufficiently taught through C4L lessons can be accessed at the link below.

Additional Quarter 3 Connections

HCPSS Pre-K (PK4) Social Studies Guide Links to an external site.

Grading

Social Studies grades should be collected and reported each quarter. At least three grades per quarter should be collected, using developmentally appropriate assessment practices such as observation and application in authentic settings.

Teachers will grade on the social studies standards taught each quarter. Data Collection Sheets have been provided for each quarter and can be accessed in the HCPSS Pre-K (PK4) Social Studies Guide Links to an external site..

Due to the interdiscplinary nature of the approved curriculum Connect4Learning, there will be natural overlap of some unit standards across quarters. For example, the Economic Standard, identifying jobs and careers in their community, is addressed in Units 3, 4, and 5, and is reported in Quarter 4. Quarterly grades are based on the standards within the context of the direct connections, prompts, and/or lesson plans noted in the crosswalk.

  This course content is offered under a  CC Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike Links to an external site.  li cense. Content in this course can be considered under this license unless otherwise noted.