K-6 Curriculum
The Westborough Social Studies curriculum aligns with the new MA 2018 History and Social Science Framework.
Kindergarten
Students learn about classroom democracy in the context of what it means to be a responsible citizen. Students ask and answer questions about literature and informational social studies texts read aloud, and act out or give examples of characters who show fairness, friendship, kindness, responsibility, and respect for one another. Kindergarteners also learn about diversity through studying traditions and celebrations in their community. They study unity by beginning to look at national symbols. Kindergarteners learn about community helpers through inquiry, play, and interviewing a variety of community helpers in their community. In geography, students also explore maps and globes.
- Classroom and Citizenship
- Shared Traditions and Civic Holidays
- National Symbols
- Inquiry into Maps and Globes
- Community Helpers
Grade 1
First Graders learn about how groups work as well as how they make decisions. They learn about leadership on many levels and examine a variety of examples of leadership through literature and informational texts. Students discuss the meaning of citizenship and citizens rights and responsibilities.They explore how the concepts of unity and diversity shape life in the United States. This is accomplished through inquiry into families and national symbols. Finally, first graders explore a variety of maps and they learn to read and construct maps.
- Classroom Community and Groups
- Leadership
- Families
- National Symbols
- Mapping
Grade 2
Grade 2 students study the geography of the world.Students begin by learning about maps and landforms. They look at how land influences how people live. Grade 2 students take a trip around the world as they study the physical and human characteristics of each continent. Students investigate reasons why people move or settle in particular places, how they keep cultural traditions alive, and how they use resources.
- Reading and Making Maps
- Geography of the World
- Migrations and Cultures
Grade 3
Grade 3 students study Massachusetts and New England. Through inquiry students learn about the culture of Native Peoples and their interactions with European explorers and settlers. Grade 5 students study the diverse voices of Massachusetts to include indigenous people, slaves, and early settlers. Students learn about the ideas about self-government in the colony of Massachusetts that led to rebellion against Great Britain, the causes and consequences of the American Revolution for Massachusetts. Grade 3 students also research the community of Westborough.
- Geography and Native People of Massachusetts
- The People of Massachusetts (Native Peoples, Pilgrims, Puritans, and Enslaved People)
- Massachusetts Before, During, and After the American Revolution
- Westborough
Grade 4
Fourth graders learn about North America (Canada, Mexico, and the United States) and its peoples from a geographic perspective, expanding map reading, mapmaking, and geographic reasoning skills. Students learn that Social Scientists research to find the whole story and ask themselves, “Who ‘s story is missing?” Students begin by looking at ancient civilizations of North America, emphasizing that advanced cities existed in North America before European settlers came. Students examine the interactions between European settlers and indigenous people. In addition, fourth graders delve into an inquiry unit on the National Parks that integrates science, literacy, and multiple perspectives in history. Students also explore the regions of the US through inquiry and project-based learning.
- Mapping North America
- Ancient Civilizations of North America
- Exploration of North America
- Regions of the US
- National Parks
Grade 5
Fifth graders learn about the early history and government of the United States. Students begin by looking at the principles of the US government through examining the Constitution. They begin their study of history by researching early settlements of the US concentrating on the interaction between settlers and the indigenous people. Grade 5 students study the 13 colonies by examining the 3 physical regions of northern, middle, and southern colonies. In particular students use primary sources to examine and discuss early seeds of democracy and individual rights. Students analyze which groups of individuals had rights and which were excluded. In addition, students study the beginnings of slavery in the US. Students continue to study early democracy researching events before, during, and after the American Revolution. Grade 5 students study the Civil War and Civil Rights Movement through an interdisciplinary SS and ELA unit.
- Principles of Government
- Early Settlements
- 13 Colonies
- Slavery
- American Revolution
- Civil Rights Movement
Grade 6
The Grade 6 Social Studies curriculum emphasizes the rights and responsibilities that come with being a global citizen. Students research modern day global issues. Students spend time investigating different regions of the world exploring physical and human geography.
- What does it mean to be a global citizen?
- Tools of Geography
- Latin America
- Europe
- Africa
- Southwest Asia
- Monsoon Asia