AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: Social Studies
IPG: First Nine Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 2
MAJOR CONCEPT #1: Citizenship
Overarching Ideas
Guiding Questions
Humans organize into population groups called communities.
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How do citizens structure their communities?
Why is good citizenship necessary for a community?
How do rules and laws help people demonstrate good citizenship?
MAJOR CONCEPT #2: Rules and Laws
Overarching Ideas
A community’s rules, laws and governmental organization reflect the values of its citizens.
Guiding Questions
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How are the values of a community reflected in the rules and responsibilities of its citizens?
How do the laws and organizational structures of a community impact its citizens?
MAJOR CONCEPT #3: Space and Region
Overarching Ideas
Guiding Questions
The physical characteristics of the environment are continents and bodies of water.
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What are the major land masses and how are they identified in space?
How much of the earth’s space is covered by oceans and what are their names?
© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
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AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: Social Studies
IPG: First Nine Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 2
MAJOR CONCEPT #4: Location and Place
Overarching
Ideas
Globes and maps are used to define location and space.
Guiding
Questions
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What tools help us read a map to find a location and place?
Why is it important to know directions and locations of places on a map?
MAJOR CONCEPT #5: Events and Traditions
Overarching
Ideas
Historical documents, events, and traditions shape a free and democratic society.
Guiding
Questions
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What events and traditions led to the writing of the Constitution?
How did these events and traditions influence the writing and text of the Constitution?
What is the significance of national holidays, historical events, and traditions?
MAJOR CONCEPT #6: Culture
Overarching
Different cultures within a society contribute to the community.
Ideas
Guiding
Questions
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How do different cultures contribute to their community?
How are different cultures recognized and integrated into their community?
© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
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