by 
The Curious Bag
-
Social studies education encompasses a number of subjects in the areas of community, human interaction and sociology. Instruction begins at the elementary level in most public schools, continuing through the secondary level as it focuses on more complex fields.
Elementary Level
Elementary social studies concepts include family and community relationships, basic geography and (in the middle and upper elementary grades) some study of history.
Secondary Level
From middle school on, social studies includes the more complex concepts of culture and government, along with a more in-depth look at world geography. This level also studies historical time periods more closely.
Post-Secondary Level
College social studies courses include everything from the study of societal relationships and cultural differences to education courses in the instruction of social science.
Developments
Early U.S. schools followed what is known as a "classical" approach to teaching and did not include the social studies. Students were introduced to history quite early in the elementary grades, however.
Considerations
Although the social studies have become standard material in U.S. schools today, some cultures do not treat them as separate courses. The study of culture, society and government is often incorporated into the study of history.
Source:
SocialStudies.org: Expectations of Excellence: Curriculum Standards for Social Studies
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC