What is Social Studies? The study of how people over time have interacted with each other and their environment. In social studies, we have “six strands” of social studies. A strand is an area of study.

Six Strands of Social Studies

Six Strands (or pieces) to the Social Studies Puzzle They are… Social History Economics Geography Political Religion

Geography The study of people, places, and the environment Physical features: Continents, oceans, and landforms Longitude & Latitude Geography Political features: countries & cities Climate: weather over a period of time The study of people, places, and the environment

Geography How does where you live affect how you live? How does the physical geography and climate affect how people live, work, and travel? What are the physical and political features of a region? How have humans changed the environment?

Religion Languages Culture & Customs Religion & Traditions as an important element in many areas of literature, art, and music Languages The (religious) beliefs, customs, laws, and ways of living of a group of people.

Religion How does cultural diffusion change the region in which you live? What is the belief system (religion) of the people and how does it affect the region? How does language affect the region? How does local culture affect the traditions/religion of the region?

History A record of the things that happened in the past We learn history from 2 sources: Primary source: document, person, or object from the actual time Secondary source: document, person, or object that interprets or analyzes primary sources Events that changed the way people live today People who changed society History A record of the things that happened in the past

History How does the past shape the present? How have people and events changed society? How have influences of other, more powerful countries, affected countries today? What factors caused European countries to colonize the world?

Economic systems: traditional, market, command, and mixed Natural, Capital, and Human resources Economics Trade barriers, money, exchange rates Entrepreneurs The study of how people manage their scarce (limited) resources by producing, exchanging, and using goods and services. (Relating to money)

Economics What factors influence a country’s standard of living? Who decides what, how, and for whom things are made? (gov’t, people, traditions) What is the role of entrepreneurs in the economy? How does free and restricted trade affect countries?

Personal freedom Citizen participation Political Type of government Structure of the government The people and groups within a society that have the authority to make laws, to make sure they are carried out, and to settle disagreements about them.

Political How does citizen satisfaction impact the government? How much can a citizen participate in their government? Who has the power to make laws and policies for a nation? How many levels does the government have? (national, regional, and local)

The study of how people in a civilization live. Art & Recreation the study of reality Citizens and being civilized the role of individuals & groups, and their relationship and responsibility to the common good Social issues, such as poverty, crime, and public health Social Food, Dress, & Greetings The study of how people in a civilization live.

Social What makes a person a good citizen? What does it mean to be civilized? Does each person in a civilization have a responsibility to “better” humanity? What kinds of things might change the social climate of a community? How do societal issues like poor health care, poverty and crime change a community?