1st Grade Social Studies

Throughout the year, the 1st grade curriculum highlights multiple perspectives and diverse voices. In 1st grade, students begin by learning about immigration, with a focus on understanding that immigration did not just happen a long time ago, but that it continues to happen today. Members of the Mark Day community are invited into the classroom to share their stories and why they came to America. These lessons incorporate developmentally-appropriate conversations about race. Students learn about the Civil Rights Movement, including notable figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks and other advocates and allies of multiple races, and its connections from past to present. 

Part of learning about others is learning about ourselves. First graders are introduced to identities and create a portrait representing their own identity, which can include race, gender, family structure, and interests. They also begin to talk about race in developmentally appropriate ways, supported by a variety of books and honoring special months like Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month and Jewish Heritage Month. Incorporated into many lessons is the idea of “windows and mirrors,” which refers to identifying in stories things about others that are different from you (windows) and things that are reflected back at you (mirrors). As they are introduced to these concepts and learn how to identify similarities and differences, they read stories and use special bookmarks to consider windows and mirrors throughout the year.