Unit One Introduction and Geography Skills

social studies Social studies is the study of human cultures and how humans relate to each other in these cultures. By learning how to relate to each other we can improve our world.

5 strands of social studies history History is a record of the people and events of the past. These people and events helped to shape the world as we know it today. “How can we know who we are and where we are going if we don’t know anything about where we have come from and what we have been through, the courage shown, the costs paid, to be where we are? David McCullough, Historian

geography and environmental literacy This is the study of people, places and environment and how we interact with our environment. It is actually the study of the world and everything on it.

Government and civics Government is the people and groups with in a society that have the authority to make laws, to make sure they are carried out and to settle disagreements about them. The specific type of government determines who has this authority. Civics is the study of citizenship and how people interact with the government.

economics Economics is the study of how people manage their money (resources) by producing, exchanging and using goods and services (distribution). Economics is about choice.

culture Culture consists of the beliefs, customs, laws, art and ways of living that a group of people share.