AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: Social Studies
IPG: Fourth Nine Weeks
MAJOR CONCEPT #1: Resources
GRADE LEVEL: 2
Overarching
Ideas
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Resources are an important part of what makes Earth habitable.
Some resources are renewable and others are not.
Geography is the study of Earth and its resources.
Guiding
Questions
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Why are some resources not considered renewable?
Why is water one of Earth’s most important resources?
What does it mean to “conserve” resources?
How can people conserve resources?
MAJOR CONCEPT #2: Consumption
Overarching
Ideas
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Guiding
Questions
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All living beings are consumers.
Most people are producers as well as consumers.
The economy encompasses the development, production, distribution, purchase and
consumption of goods and services.
What makes all people consumers?
What are choices consumers must make when acquiring goods and services?
MAJOR CONCEPT #3: Needs and Wants
Overarching
Idea
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Guiding
Questions
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Jobs help individuals and families meet their basic needs. Wants are prioritized and addressed
after needs are met.
How does a career choice affect a person’s ability to meet his/her needs and wants?
How does an individual’s ability to save some of their earnings affect their spending on needs
and/or wants?
What happens when individuals cannot afford to meet all their needs?
© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
1
AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: Social Studies
Overarching
Idea
Guiding
Questions
IPG: Fourth Nine Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 2
MAJOR CONCEPT # 4: Exchange
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Goods and services are exchanged in different ways.
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What are the different ways goods and services can be exchanged?
What role does the market play in the exchange of goods and services?
How does free enterprise affect the exchange of goods for producers and consumers?
MAJOR CONCEPT # 5: Interdependence
Overarching
Idea
Guiding
Questions
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The more technologically advanced a society becomes, the more interdependent it is.
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How has technology changed the way people live, interact, and become interdependent with
each other?
How has technology in transportation and communication made people more interdependent
through globalization?
Why does technological advancement result in making individuals and societies more
interdependent?
MAJOR CONCEPT # 6: Culture
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Overarching
Idea
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Historical events, customs, and traditions shape the culture of a free and democratic society.
Guiding
Questions
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What is the significance of national holidays to the culture of a society?
© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
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