AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: Social Studies
IPG: Second Nine Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 1
MAJOR CONCEPT #1: Culture: Customs and Traditions
Overarching Idea
Guiding
Questions
Cultural ideas and beliefs are expressed and transmitted through customs, and traditions.
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How does the customs and traditions of a culture influence how holidays are celebrated?
How are cultural ideas and beliefs expressed through customs and traditions?
What are some cultural unique ways that groups of people celebrate customs and traditions?
MAJOR CONCEPT #2: History
Overarching Idea
Guiding
Questions
Past groups of people, such as Pilgrims, influenced our history of customs and holidays.
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How did the Pilgrims contribute to our history of customs and holidays we celebrate today?
What other groups from history have contributed to national and local holidays and
celebrations?
MAJOR CONCEPT #3: Similarities and Differences
Overarching Idea
Guiding
Questions
People from different cultures and communities have similarities and differences.
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What are some similarities and differences between communities of the past and present?
How has the similarities and differences of cultures changed the past, the present and the
future of communities?
© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
1
AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: Social Studies
IPG: Second Nine Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 1
MAJOR CONCEPT #4: Needs and Wants
Overarching
Idea
Needs are goods or services that individuals must have to survive, such as food, shelter, and
clothing.
Wants are goods or services people would like to have but do not need to survive.
Guiding
Questions
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How can wants and needs be distinguished from each other?
Why do individuals’ needs and wants change over time?
MAJOR CONCEPT #5: Goods and Services
Overarching
Idea
A society’s economic system is determined by the needs and wants of its population.
People work to supply and purchase goods and services.
Guiding
Questions
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How does a society determine what goods and services are essential?
How does trade expand the goods and services a community needs and wants?
Why are some jobs performed for reasons other than to supply goods and services?
© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
2
AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: Social Studies
IPG: Second Nine Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 1
MAJOR CONCEPT #6 Supply and Demand
Overarching
Idea
The types of jobs available in any community are dictated by the supply and demands of the
community.
Guiding
Questions
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How does job specialization lead to greater supply and demand?
What role does technology play in altering supply and demand?
How does scarcity affect supply and demand?
© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
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