What will my child actually learn in social studies this year?

Students learn about their community and state. They look at family traditions and foods, how people earn and spend money, simple maps of Tennessee, the roles of leaders like the mayor and governor, and why we celebrate holidays like Juneteenth and Thanksgiving.

How can I help with maps at home?

Pull up a map of Tennessee on a phone and find Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. Point out lakes, rivers, and mountains. Use the words north, south, east, and west when giving directions in the car or on a walk.

What is the best way to sequence the year?

Many teachers start with culture and family traditions because students can talk about their own lives right away. Geography and Tennessee landmarks fit well in the middle. Save government, citizenship, and the run of national holidays for the second half, when students can handle more abstract ideas.

How do I help with the money and jobs part?

Talk about the difference between things students want and things the family needs. At the store, point out who made the food and who is providing a service, like the cashier or the person stocking shelves. A piggy bank conversation counts as practice.

Which topics usually need the most reteaching?

The difference between goods and services trips up a lot of first graders, and so does the difference between rules and laws. Cardinal directions also need steady practice across the year, not a single unit.

Do students need to memorize all the state symbols and city names?

Students should recognize the state flag, tree, flower, bird, and animal, and locate Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Washington, D.C. on a map. Short, repeated practice works better than a single memorization push.

How should I handle the harder holidays like Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples' Day?

Stick to who is being honored and why the day matters. First graders can understand fairness, freedom, and remembering people who came before us. Pair each holiday with a short read-aloud and a simple timeline so students see where it sits in the year.

How do I know my child is ready for second grade social studies?

By spring, students should describe their own culture and name another, explain what a mayor, governor, and president do, point out Tennessee on a map, and put events from their life in order from past to present.

What is a quick way to practice timelines at home?

Help students list three or four events from their day or their life in order. Birthdays, starting school, and learning to ride a bike all work. This builds the habit of thinking about past, present, and future.

What does a student learn in ?

This is the year students look beyond their own family and start to see their town, state, and country as places with shared symbols and shared history. Students learn what a culture is, what makes someone a good citizen, and how to find their state on a map. They also start to think like shoppers, sorting wants from needs and noticing who makes the things they buy. By spring, students can point to Tennessee on a map, name the governor and the president, and explain why we celebrate holidays like Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the Fourth of July.

Community and culture
Map skills
Tennessee basics
Wants and needs
Good citizens
National holidays
Past and present

Source: Tennessee Tennessee Academic Standards

Year at a glance

How the year usually goes. Every school and district set their own curriculum, so treat this as a guide, not official pacing.

1
Our community and its cultures
Students start the year close to home. They talk about the food, clothes, traditions, and games that shape families in their town, and they notice how families from different backgrounds add to one community.
2
Mapping Tennessee and beyond
Students learn to read a basic map. They find Tennessee, its big cities, and Washington, D.C., use north, south, east, and west, and tell a lake from a river, a mountain from an ocean.
3
Leaders, rules, and voting
Students meet the people who lead their town, state, and country. They talk about the difference between a rule at home and a law in town, why people vote, and what makes someone a good citizen.
4
Goods, services, and saving
Students figure out the difference between things people make and things people do for others. They look at what Tennessee grows, builds, and is known for, and they think about wants, needs, and reasons to save money.
5
Then, now, and holidays
Students compare how people lived long ago to how they live today, from clothes to cars to phones. They place events on a simple timeline and learn the stories behind holidays like Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Juneteenth, and Thanksgiving.

Mastery Learning Standards

The required skills a student should display by the end of Grade 1.

Culture: Students will discuss cultures within their community and state and how individuals, families, and communities live and work together.

Describe the components of culture

1.01

Culture is the mix of food, clothing, celebrations, and everyday habits that shape how a community lives. Students identify and describe these details in their own community and across their state.
Define multiculturalism as many different cultures living within a community…

1.02

Students learn that a community is made up of people from many different backgrounds, languages, and traditions. That mix of cultures living together in one place is called multiculturalism.
Compare and contrast family traditions and customs among different cultures…

1.03

Students look at how different families in their community celebrate, eat, and mark special occasions, then describe what those traditions share and how they differ.

Standard	Definition	Code
Describe the components of culture	Culture is the mix of food, clothing, celebrations, and everyday habits that shape how a community lives. Students identify and describe these details in their own community and across their state.	1.01
Define multiculturalism as many different cultures living within a community…	Students learn that a community is made up of people from many different backgrounds, languages, and traditions. That mix of cultures living together in one place is called multiculturalism.	1.02
Compare and contrast family traditions and customs among different cultures…	Students look at how different families in their community celebrate, eat, and mark special occasions, then describe what those traditions share and how they differ.	1.03

Culture: Students will discuss cultures within their community and state and how individuals, families, and communities live and work together.

Describe the components of culture

1.01

Culture is the mix of food, clothing, celebrations, and everyday habits that shape how a community lives. Students identify and describe these details in their own community and across their state.
Define multiculturalism as many different cultures living within a community…

1.02

Students learn that a community is made up of people from many different backgrounds, languages, and traditions. That mix of cultures living together in one place is called multiculturalism.
Compare and contrast family traditions and customs among different cultures…

1.03

Students look at how different families in their community celebrate, eat, and mark special occasions, then describe what those traditions share and how they differ.

Standard	Definition	Code
Describe the components of culture	Culture is the mix of food, clothing, celebrations, and everyday habits that shape how a community lives. Students identify and describe these details in their own community and across their state.	1.01
Define multiculturalism as many different cultures living within a community…	Students learn that a community is made up of people from many different backgrounds, languages, and traditions. That mix of cultures living together in one place is called multiculturalism.	1.02
Compare and contrast family traditions and customs among different cultures…	Students look at how different families in their community celebrate, eat, and mark special occasions, then describe what those traditions share and how they differ.	1.03

Economics: Students will learn about goods and services, wants and needs, major products and industries found in Tennessee, and factors that influence people to save money.

Distinguish how people are consumers and producers of goods and services

1.04

People can make things or do work for others (producers), and they can also buy or use what others make (consumers). Students learn to tell the difference between these two roles and see how most people play both.
Give examples of products

1.05

Students name everyday things people pay for, like food, shoes, or toys. Goods are physical things you can hold, as opposed to services, which are things people do for you.
Give examples of services that people

1.06

Students name jobs where people do work for others, like a doctor treating a patient, a barber cutting hair, or a teacher running a class. The focus is on work you receive, not a product you can hold.
Recognize major products and industries found in Tennessee

1.07

Students learn which products and industries Tennessee is known for, like farming, music, and manufacturing. They start to see how different regions make their living.
Assess factors (i.e., needs and wants) that could influence a person to use or…

1.08

Students look at reasons why someone might spend money now or save it for later, like needing food versus wanting a toy.

Standard	Definition	Code
Distinguish how people are consumers and producers of goods and services	People can make things or do work for others (producers), and they can also buy or use what others make (consumers). Students learn to tell the difference between these two roles and see how most people play both.	1.04
Give examples of products	Students name everyday things people pay for, like food, shoes, or toys. Goods are physical things you can hold, as opposed to services, which are things people do for you.	1.05
Give examples of services that people	Students name jobs where people do work for others, like a doctor treating a patient, a barber cutting hair, or a teacher running a class. The focus is on work you receive, not a product you can hold.	1.06
Recognize major products and industries found in Tennessee	Students learn which products and industries Tennessee is known for, like farming, music, and manufacturing. They start to see how different regions make their living.	1.07
Assess factors (i.e., needs and wants) that could influence a person to use or…	Students look at reasons why someone might spend money now or save it for later, like needing food versus wanting a toy.	1.08

Economics: Students will learn about goods and services, wants and needs, major products and industries found in Tennessee, and factors that influence people to save money.

Distinguish how people are consumers and producers of goods and services

1.04

People can make things or do work for others (producers), and they can also buy or use what others make (consumers). Students learn to tell the difference between these two roles and see how most people play both.
Give examples of products

1.05

Students name everyday things people pay for, like food, shoes, or toys. Goods are physical things you can hold, as opposed to services, which are things people do for you.
Give examples of services that people

1.06

Students name jobs where people do work for others, like a doctor treating a patient, a barber cutting hair, or a teacher running a class. The focus is on work you receive, not a product you can hold.
Recognize major products and industries found in Tennessee

1.07

Students learn which products and industries Tennessee is known for, like farming, music, and manufacturing. They start to see how different regions make their living.
Assess factors (i.e., needs and wants) that could influence a person to use or…

1.08

Students look at reasons why someone might spend money now or save it for later, like needing food versus wanting a toy.

Standard	Definition	Code
Distinguish how people are consumers and producers of goods and services	People can make things or do work for others (producers), and they can also buy or use what others make (consumers). Students learn to tell the difference between these two roles and see how most people play both.	1.04
Give examples of products	Students name everyday things people pay for, like food, shoes, or toys. Goods are physical things you can hold, as opposed to services, which are things people do for you.	1.05
Give examples of services that people	Students name jobs where people do work for others, like a doctor treating a patient, a barber cutting hair, or a teacher running a class. The focus is on work you receive, not a product you can hold.	1.06
Recognize major products and industries found in Tennessee	Students learn which products and industries Tennessee is known for, like farming, music, and manufacturing. They start to see how different regions make their living.	1.07
Assess factors (i.e., needs and wants) that could influence a person to use or…	Students look at reasons why someone might spend money now or save it for later, like needing food versus wanting a toy.	1.08

Geography: Students will build on previously learned geographic skills and conceptsto reinforce basic map reading, including identifying political and geographical features in Tennessee and the United States.

Recognize basic map symbols, including cities, land, roads

1.09

Students learn to read a simple map by recognizing what its symbols mean: dots for cities, blue shapes for water, lines for roads, and shaded areas for land.
Locate on a map Tennessee, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga

1.10

Students point to Tennessee and its four major cities on a map, plus the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. This is basic map practice with real places students live near or hear about.
Use cardinal directions

1.11

Students learn to read a map using North, South, East, and West. They practice pointing in the right direction and following simple map instructions to find places.
Distinguish the difference between a lake, mountain, ocean

1.12

Students learn to tell apart four landforms and bodies of water: a lake (water surrounded by land), a river (water that flows), a mountain (high, rocky ground), and an ocean (vast saltwater that borders continents).
Identify and locate on a map the three grand divisions of Tennessee and their…

1.13

Students learn that Tennessee is split into three regions: West, Middle, and East. On a map, they find where each region begins and ends, using the Mississippi River, the Tennessee River, and the Appalachian Mountains as the dividing lines.

Standard	Definition	Code
Recognize basic map symbols, including cities, land, roads	Students learn to read a simple map by recognizing what its symbols mean: dots for cities, blue shapes for water, lines for roads, and shaded areas for land.	1.09
Locate on a map Tennessee, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga	Students point to Tennessee and its four major cities on a map, plus the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. This is basic map practice with real places students live near or hear about.	1.10
Use cardinal directions	Students learn to read a map using North, South, East, and West. They practice pointing in the right direction and following simple map instructions to find places.	1.11
Distinguish the difference between a lake, mountain, ocean	Students learn to tell apart four landforms and bodies of water: a lake (water surrounded by land), a river (water that flows), a mountain (high, rocky ground), and an ocean (vast saltwater that borders continents).	1.12
Identify and locate on a map the three grand divisions of Tennessee and their…	Students learn that Tennessee is split into three regions: West, Middle, and East. On a map, they find where each region begins and ends, using the Mississippi River, the Tennessee River, and the Appalachian Mountains as the dividing lines.	1.13

Recognize basic map symbols, including cities, land, roads

1.09

Students learn to read a simple map by recognizing what its symbols mean: dots for cities, blue shapes for water, lines for roads, and shaded areas for land.
Locate on a map Tennessee, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga

1.10

Students point to Tennessee and its four major cities on a map, plus the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. This is basic map practice with real places students live near or hear about.
Use cardinal directions

1.11

Students learn to read a map using North, South, East, and West. They practice pointing in the right direction and following simple map instructions to find places.
Distinguish the difference between a lake, mountain, ocean

1.12

Students learn to tell apart four landforms and bodies of water: a lake (water surrounded by land), a river (water that flows), a mountain (high, rocky ground), and an ocean (vast saltwater that borders continents).
Identify and locate on a map the three grand divisions of Tennessee and their…

1.13

Students learn that Tennessee is split into three regions: West, Middle, and East. On a map, they find where each region begins and ends, using the Mississippi River, the Tennessee River, and the Appalachian Mountains as the dividing lines.

Standard	Definition	Code
Recognize basic map symbols, including cities, land, roads	Students learn to read a simple map by recognizing what its symbols mean: dots for cities, blue shapes for water, lines for roads, and shaded areas for land.	1.09
Locate on a map Tennessee, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga	Students point to Tennessee and its four major cities on a map, plus the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. This is basic map practice with real places students live near or hear about.	1.10
Use cardinal directions	Students learn to read a map using North, South, East, and West. They practice pointing in the right direction and following simple map instructions to find places.	1.11
Distinguish the difference between a lake, mountain, ocean	Students learn to tell apart four landforms and bodies of water: a lake (water surrounded by land), a river (water that flows), a mountain (high, rocky ground), and an ocean (vast saltwater that borders continents).	1.12
Identify and locate on a map the three grand divisions of Tennessee and their…	Students learn that Tennessee is split into three regions: West, Middle, and East. On a map, they find where each region begins and ends, using the Mississippi River, the Tennessee River, and the Appalachian Mountains as the dividing lines.	1.13

Government and Civics: Students will continue to develop their citizenship skills by expanding their studies from a personal level to a local, state, and national level, including an understanding of the function of government and patriotic symbols.

Identify the name, image

1.14

Students learn who the Governor of Tennessee and the President of the United States are, what they look like, and what their jobs involve.
Recognize and explain the role of the mayor as the leader of a town/city/county

1.15

The mayor is the leader of a town or city, like a principal is the leader of a school. Students learn what a mayor does and why communities need someone in that role.
Distinguish the differences between rules and laws and give examples of each

1.16

Rules are agreements people follow in a specific place, like a classroom or home. Laws are rules that apply to everyone in a community or country. Students learn to tell the two apart and give real examples of each.
Explain that voting is a way of making choices and decisions

1.17

Voting means making a choice by counting what each person wants. Students learn that voting is how groups, from classrooms to countries, decide things fairly when people disagree.
Define citizenship, and recognize traits of good citizens

1.18

Citizenship means belonging to a community and helping it run well. Students learn what it looks like to be a good citizen, like following rules, respecting others, and taking part in decisions.
Explain the importance of patriotic traditions

1.19

Patriotic traditions like the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem are ways Americans show respect for their country. Students learn why these traditions matter and how to behave respectfully during them.
Identify Tennessee symbols, including the state flag, state tree

1.20

Students learn Tennessee's official symbols: the flag, the tulip poplar tree, the iris flower, the mockingbird, the raccoon, and what the state nickname means.

Standard	Definition	Code
Identify the name, image	Students learn who the Governor of Tennessee and the President of the United States are, what they look like, and what their jobs involve.	1.14
Recognize and explain the role of the mayor as the leader of a town/city/county	The mayor is the leader of a town or city, like a principal is the leader of a school. Students learn what a mayor does and why communities need someone in that role.	1.15
Distinguish the differences between rules and laws and give examples of each	Rules are agreements people follow in a specific place, like a classroom or home. Laws are rules that apply to everyone in a community or country. Students learn to tell the two apart and give real examples of each.	1.16
Explain that voting is a way of making choices and decisions	Voting means making a choice by counting what each person wants. Students learn that voting is how groups, from classrooms to countries, decide things fairly when people disagree.	1.17
Define citizenship, and recognize traits of good citizens	Citizenship means belonging to a community and helping it run well. Students learn what it looks like to be a good citizen, like following rules, respecting others, and taking part in decisions.	1.18
Explain the importance of patriotic traditions	Patriotic traditions like the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem are ways Americans show respect for their country. Students learn why these traditions matter and how to behave respectfully during them.	1.19
Identify Tennessee symbols, including the state flag, state tree	Students learn Tennessee's official symbols: the flag, the tulip poplar tree, the iris flower, the mockingbird, the raccoon, and what the state nickname means.	1.20

Identify the name, image

1.14

Students learn who the Governor of Tennessee and the President of the United States are, what they look like, and what their jobs involve.
Recognize and explain the role of the mayor as the leader of a town/city/county

1.15

The mayor is the leader of a town or city, like a principal is the leader of a school. Students learn what a mayor does and why communities need someone in that role.
Distinguish the differences between rules and laws and give examples of each

1.16

Rules are agreements people follow in a specific place, like a classroom or home. Laws are rules that apply to everyone in a community or country. Students learn to tell the two apart and give real examples of each.
Explain that voting is a way of making choices and decisions

1.17

Voting means making a choice by counting what each person wants. Students learn that voting is how groups, from classrooms to countries, decide things fairly when people disagree.
Define citizenship, and recognize traits of good citizens

1.18

Citizenship means belonging to a community and helping it run well. Students learn what it looks like to be a good citizen, like following rules, respecting others, and taking part in decisions.
Explain the importance of patriotic traditions

1.19

Patriotic traditions like the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem are ways Americans show respect for their country. Students learn why these traditions matter and how to behave respectfully during them.
Identify Tennessee symbols, including the state flag, state tree

1.20

Students learn Tennessee's official symbols: the flag, the tulip poplar tree, the iris flower, the mockingbird, the raccoon, and what the state nickname means.

Standard	Definition	Code
Identify the name, image	Students learn who the Governor of Tennessee and the President of the United States are, what they look like, and what their jobs involve.	1.14
Recognize and explain the role of the mayor as the leader of a town/city/county	The mayor is the leader of a town or city, like a principal is the leader of a school. Students learn what a mayor does and why communities need someone in that role.	1.15
Distinguish the differences between rules and laws and give examples of each	Rules are agreements people follow in a specific place, like a classroom or home. Laws are rules that apply to everyone in a community or country. Students learn to tell the two apart and give real examples of each.	1.16
Explain that voting is a way of making choices and decisions	Voting means making a choice by counting what each person wants. Students learn that voting is how groups, from classrooms to countries, decide things fairly when people disagree.	1.17
Define citizenship, and recognize traits of good citizens	Citizenship means belonging to a community and helping it run well. Students learn what it looks like to be a good citizen, like following rules, respecting others, and taking part in decisions.	1.18
Explain the importance of patriotic traditions	Patriotic traditions like the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem are ways Americans show respect for their country. Students learn why these traditions matter and how to behave respectfully during them.	1.19
Identify Tennessee symbols, including the state flag, state tree	Students learn Tennessee's official symbols: the flag, the tulip poplar tree, the iris flower, the mockingbird, the raccoon, and what the state nickname means.	1.20

History: Students will compare life today to the past, utilize chronological sequence, identify significant individuals and groups, and understand the impact of national holidays.

Arrange the events from a student’s life in chronological order

1.21

Students put events from their own life in order from earliest to most recent, like lining up birthdays or first days of school on a timeline.
Interpret information from simple timelines, including past, present

1.22

Students read a simple timeline to sort events into past, present, and future. They use the order of events to answer questions like "what happened first?" or "what comes next?"
Compare ways people lived in the past to how they live today, including forms…

1.23

Students look at how daily life has changed over time, comparing old ways of getting around, staying in touch, dressing, and having fun with the way people live now.
Identify and describe the events and/or people celebrated during the following…

1.24

National holidays mark moments and people worth remembering. Students learn who or what each holiday honors, such as a president, a soldier, or a historic event, and why the country still sets aside a day to recognize it.
Martin Luther King, Jr

1.24.1

Students learn who Martin Luther King, Jr. was, what he worked to change, and why the country sets aside a day each January to honor him.
Presidents’ Day

1.24.2

Students learn why Presidents' Day is a national holiday and what it honors. They look at real presidents from the past, like Washington and Lincoln, and talk about what those leaders did that still matters today.
Memorial Day

1.24.3

Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Students learn why the country sets aside this day each year and how people mark it with ceremonies, flags, and remembrance.
Juneteenth

1.24.4

Students learn what Juneteenth celebrates: the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. They look at why the country marks this day and what it means today.
Independence Day/July 4th

1.24.5

Students learn why the United States celebrates Independence Day on July 4th, including what happened in 1776 and why that moment still matters today.
Labor Day

1.24.6

Labor Day honors the workers who built roads, bridges, schools, and other parts of everyday life. Students learn why the country set aside a day each year to recognize the value of work and the people who do it.
Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day

1.24.7

Students learn who Christopher Columbus and Indigenous peoples are, why this day is observed, and why people disagree about how to remember it.
Veterans’ Day

1.24.8

Students learn who veterans are and why the country sets aside a day to honor people who served in the military.
Thanksgiving Day

1.24.9

Students learn who the Pilgrims and Wampanoag people were, what happened at the first Thanksgiving, and why Americans still gather to give thanks each November.

Standard	Definition	Code
Arrange the events from a student’s life in chronological order	Students put events from their own life in order from earliest to most recent, like lining up birthdays or first days of school on a timeline.	1.21
Interpret information from simple timelines, including past, present	Students read a simple timeline to sort events into past, present, and future. They use the order of events to answer questions like "what happened first?" or "what comes next?"	1.22
Compare ways people lived in the past to how they live today, including forms…	Students look at how daily life has changed over time, comparing old ways of getting around, staying in touch, dressing, and having fun with the way people live now.	1.23
Identify and describe the events and/or people celebrated during the following…	National holidays mark moments and people worth remembering. Students learn who or what each holiday honors, such as a president, a soldier, or a historic event, and why the country still sets aside a day to recognize it.	1.24
Martin Luther King, Jr	Students learn who Martin Luther King, Jr. was, what he worked to change, and why the country sets aside a day each January to honor him.	1.24.1
Presidents’ Day	Students learn why Presidents' Day is a national holiday and what it honors. They look at real presidents from the past, like Washington and Lincoln, and talk about what those leaders did that still matters today.	1.24.2
Memorial Day	Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Students learn why the country sets aside this day each year and how people mark it with ceremonies, flags, and remembrance.	1.24.3
Juneteenth	Students learn what Juneteenth celebrates: the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. They look at why the country marks this day and what it means today.	1.24.4
Independence Day/July 4th	Students learn why the United States celebrates Independence Day on July 4th, including what happened in 1776 and why that moment still matters today.	1.24.5
Labor Day	Labor Day honors the workers who built roads, bridges, schools, and other parts of everyday life. Students learn why the country set aside a day each year to recognize the value of work and the people who do it.	1.24.6
Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day	Students learn who Christopher Columbus and Indigenous peoples are, why this day is observed, and why people disagree about how to remember it.	1.24.7
Veterans’ Day	Students learn who veterans are and why the country sets aside a day to honor people who served in the military.	1.24.8
Thanksgiving Day	Students learn who the Pilgrims and Wampanoag people were, what happened at the first Thanksgiving, and why Americans still gather to give thanks each November.	1.24.9

History: Students will compare life today to the past, utilize chronological sequence, identify significant individuals and groups, and understand the impact of national holidays.

Arrange the events from a student’s life in chronological order

1.21

Students put events from their own life in order from earliest to most recent, like lining up birthdays or first days of school on a timeline.
Interpret information from simple timelines, including past, present

1.22

Students read a simple timeline to sort events into past, present, and future. They use the order of events to answer questions like "what happened first?" or "what comes next?"
Compare ways people lived in the past to how they live today, including forms…

1.23

Students look at how daily life has changed over time, comparing old ways of getting around, staying in touch, dressing, and having fun with the way people live now.
Identify and describe the events and/or people celebrated during the following…

1.24

National holidays mark moments and people worth remembering. Students learn who or what each holiday honors, such as a president, a soldier, or a historic event, and why the country still sets aside a day to recognize it.
Martin Luther King, Jr

1.24.1

Students learn who Martin Luther King, Jr. was, what he worked to change, and why the country sets aside a day each January to honor him.
Presidents’ Day

1.24.2

Students learn why Presidents' Day is a national holiday and what it honors. They look at real presidents from the past, like Washington and Lincoln, and talk about what those leaders did that still matters today.
Memorial Day

1.24.3

Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Students learn why the country sets aside this day each year and how people mark it with ceremonies, flags, and remembrance.
Juneteenth

1.24.4

Students learn what Juneteenth celebrates: the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. They look at why the country marks this day and what it means today.
Independence Day/July 4th

1.24.5

Students learn why the United States celebrates Independence Day on July 4th, including what happened in 1776 and why that moment still matters today.
Labor Day

1.24.6

Labor Day honors the workers who built roads, bridges, schools, and other parts of everyday life. Students learn why the country set aside a day each year to recognize the value of work and the people who do it.
Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day

1.24.7

Students learn who Christopher Columbus and Indigenous peoples are, why this day is observed, and why people disagree about how to remember it.
Veterans’ Day

1.24.8

Students learn who veterans are and why the country sets aside a day to honor people who served in the military.
Thanksgiving Day

1.24.9

Students learn who the Pilgrims and Wampanoag people were, what happened at the first Thanksgiving, and why Americans still gather to give thanks each November.

Standard	Definition	Code
Arrange the events from a student’s life in chronological order	Students put events from their own life in order from earliest to most recent, like lining up birthdays or first days of school on a timeline.	1.21
Interpret information from simple timelines, including past, present	Students read a simple timeline to sort events into past, present, and future. They use the order of events to answer questions like "what happened first?" or "what comes next?"	1.22
Compare ways people lived in the past to how they live today, including forms…	Students look at how daily life has changed over time, comparing old ways of getting around, staying in touch, dressing, and having fun with the way people live now.	1.23
Identify and describe the events and/or people celebrated during the following…	National holidays mark moments and people worth remembering. Students learn who or what each holiday honors, such as a president, a soldier, or a historic event, and why the country still sets aside a day to recognize it.	1.24
Martin Luther King, Jr	Students learn who Martin Luther King, Jr. was, what he worked to change, and why the country sets aside a day each January to honor him.	1.24.1
Presidents’ Day	Students learn why Presidents' Day is a national holiday and what it honors. They look at real presidents from the past, like Washington and Lincoln, and talk about what those leaders did that still matters today.	1.24.2
Memorial Day	Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Students learn why the country sets aside this day each year and how people mark it with ceremonies, flags, and remembrance.	1.24.3
Juneteenth	Students learn what Juneteenth celebrates: the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. They look at why the country marks this day and what it means today.	1.24.4
Independence Day/July 4th	Students learn why the United States celebrates Independence Day on July 4th, including what happened in 1776 and why that moment still matters today.	1.24.5
Labor Day	Labor Day honors the workers who built roads, bridges, schools, and other parts of everyday life. Students learn why the country set aside a day each year to recognize the value of work and the people who do it.	1.24.6
Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day	Students learn who Christopher Columbus and Indigenous peoples are, why this day is observed, and why people disagree about how to remember it.	1.24.7
Veterans’ Day	Students learn who veterans are and why the country sets aside a day to honor people who served in the military.	1.24.8
Thanksgiving Day	Students learn who the Pilgrims and Wampanoag people were, what happened at the first Thanksgiving, and why Americans still gather to give thanks each November.	1.24.9

Common Questions

What will my child actually learn in social studies this year?
Students learn about their community and state. They look at family traditions and foods, how people earn and spend money, simple maps of Tennessee, the roles of leaders like the mayor and governor, and why we celebrate holidays like Juneteenth and Thanksgiving.
How can I help with maps at home?
Pull up a map of Tennessee on a phone and find Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. Point out lakes, rivers, and mountains. Use the words north, south, east, and west when giving directions in the car or on a walk.
What is the best way to sequence the year?
Many teachers start with culture and family traditions because students can talk about their own lives right away. Geography and Tennessee landmarks fit well in the middle. Save government, citizenship, and the run of national holidays for the second half, when students can handle more abstract ideas.
How do I help with the money and jobs part?
Talk about the difference between things students want and things the family needs. At the store, point out who made the food and who is providing a service, like the cashier or the person stocking shelves. A piggy bank conversation counts as practice.
Which topics usually need the most reteaching?
The difference between goods and services trips up a lot of first graders, and so does the difference between rules and laws. Cardinal directions also need steady practice across the year, not a single unit.
Do students need to memorize all the state symbols and city names?
Students should recognize the state flag, tree, flower, bird, and animal, and locate Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Washington, D.C. on a map. Short, repeated practice works better than a single memorization push.
How should I handle the harder holidays like Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples' Day?
Stick to who is being honored and why the day matters. First graders can understand fairness, freedom, and remembering people who came before us. Pair each holiday with a short read-aloud and a simple timeline so students see where it sits in the year.
How do I know my child is ready for second grade social studies?
By spring, students should describe their own culture and name another, explain what a mayor, governor, and president do, point out Tennessee on a map, and put events from their life in order from past to present.
What is a quick way to practice timelines at home?
Help students list three or four events from their day or their life in order. Birthdays, starting school, and learning to ride a bike all work. This builds the habit of thinking about past, present, and future.