Social Studies


Social Studies is the study of people, their histories and complexities, their contributions and failures, their conflicts and ideals, their struggles and achievements.

studentsIt is the study of place, location, human interactions with the environment, social and political movements, and human relationships.

Social Studies is the attempt to understand the current condition of the world, how it came to be that way, and how the daily operations of societies work towards what end.  It is, still more, the attempt to be fully prepared to act in society as servants in a world in need of redemption.

When we study the world of human interactions, we want students to develop an understanding that touches the earth:  to not only know about justice, but to be just; to not only understand people and places, but to act with care and love; to not only comprehend what has made things the way they are, but also to act to change things. 

map keyPeople, in all their complexity and richness must be fully remembered in our studies. When we study history, human civilizations and cultures, and social movements, we recognize that all of human life and history are held in God’s hands and that human relationships, movements, actions, and decisions deeply matter. 

Central Subjects that integrate Social Studies, Math, Reading, Literature, and Science

Kindergarten:  Who Am I?
•    Who am I in relation to others and the world around me?
•    Family and Community
•    Africa and Japan or Mexico

First Grade:  Exploring and Discovering
•    Explorers by Sea: Vikings, Magellan
•    Movers on the Land:  Civil Rights, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
•    Discoverers by Air: Astronauts, Tuskegee Airmen

Second Grade:  Finding My Place
•    Native Americans
•    Westward Expansion
•    Notable Americans

Third Grade:  Community
•    Hoboken and the local community
•    Alaska
•    Australia

Fourth Grade: A World in Motion
•    Rural and Urban Communities & Culture
•    North American Culture & Geography: Localities, States, & Regions
•    United States History & Government: Towns, Cities, and States

Fifth Grade: A Matter of Perspective
•    North American Geography: Canada, United States, & Mexico
•    North American History: Native Americans, United States History, Revolutionaries, Pioneers, and Inventors
•    United States Government: National

Sixth Grade, Seventh, & Eighth Grade

Year A – Adversity, Change, and Making a Difference
•    20th Century World Events:  World War II, Cold War, Cultural Revolution
•    World Geography & Culture:  European Continent & Asia
•    Economics:  Communism & Capitalism
•    World Religions:  Hinduism & Buddhism

Year B –  The Quest for Friendship, Courage, and Hope
•    Ancient Stories: The Legend of Gilgamesh, African Folklore, Latin American Folklore
•    Ancient Cultures: Mesopotamia, Egypt & Nubia, Mayas
•    World Geography & Culture: Middle East, Africa, North & South America
•    World Religions:  Christianity, Judaism, and Islam

Year C –  Finding Your Voice & Speaking the Truth
•    Democratic Ideas and Government: The U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, Ammendments and Change
•    Geography & Culture: North America
•    History of United States: Emancipation, Immigration, Women’s Rights, & Civil Rights

Social Studies Domains

The 11 domains of social studies are taught annually and in ways that honor the aspirations and strengths of each child’s developmental level and become increasingly sophisticated as children mature through the grades.
•    Human Culture & Human Diversity
•    Religion & Philosophy
•    History and Interpretations of History
•    Geography and the Significance of Place
•    Ethical Principals and Law
•    Leadership, public service, and civic responsibility
•    Human Power, Authority, and Forms of Government
•    Social Systems and Development
•    Transportation, Communications, and Productive Systems
•    The Relationship Between Science, Technology, & Society
•    Global Connections & Human Interdependence

Social Studies Ideas

At Mustard Seed, our approach to teaching social studies reflects our identity as a Christian School and so emphasizes certain ideas:

  • People choose, act, interact, shape, and are shaped in a physical, social, and political environment
  • People move and change over time.  They are meant to grow and become.
  • People’s beliefs, actions, and relationships affect the natural and social environment
  • Human beings, created in God’s image, are called to be faithful, caring stewards of God’s creation.
  • People are meant to live in community and so have moral obligations to one another and to the community.
  • In history and in the present, people long for the fullness of God’s reign, true human freedom, and wisdom

Our Commitments

  • Students will act intelligently, justly, and responsibly as members of a school, local, and global community.
  • Students will engage in discussion, debate, cooperative work, conflict resolution, and community service.
  • Students will thing critically to distinguish between fact, informed argument, unfounded opinion, and mere prejudice. 
  • Students will study and serve with an enduring hope, faith, and love.  
  • Students will understand other perspectives and then speak truth in ways that demonstrate the love and righteousness of Christ.