Communities, Maps & American Stories

The big picture

Today we learn about the community. A community is a group of people who live or work in the same place, like your neighborhood or town. This matters because you are part of many communities every single day.

What is a community?

A community is a group of people who share a place and help each other. It is not the buildings. It is the people.

Think about your street. The people on it are a community. They wave hello. They help carry things. They keep the street clean.

Here are some communities you may know:

• Your family at home.
• Your class and school.
• Your neighborhood.
• Your town or city.

Key idea: A community is people who share a place and help each other.

You belong to many communities

Here is a happy secret. You are part of more than one community at the same time. You do not have to pick just one.

Maya is a good example. She is in her family. She is in her class. She is on a soccer team. She lives on a friendly street. That is four communities at once!

When you join a team, a club, or a music class, you make a new community too.

Key idea: You can belong to many communities at the same time.

A neighborhood is close to home

A neighborhood is the homes and people that are near where you live. The people who live near you are your neighbors.

Good neighbors are kind. They might share tools. They might watch out for your dog. They might help an older neighbor carry food up the stairs.

Key idea: A neighborhood is the homes and people close to yours.

City, suburb, and country

Communities can look very different. Let us picture three of them.

A city is a large, busy community with many people and tall buildings. Homes are close together. There are buses, trains, and lots of traffic. You can walk to a store or a park.

A suburb is a quieter area of houses near a city. It has more yards and more grass. Many people drive into the city for work.

A rural place is out in the country. It has farms, fields, and lots of open space. Homes can be far apart. You might see cows, tractors, and barns.

All three are communities. One is not better than another. They are just different ways that people live near each other.

Key idea: Cities, suburbs, and rural areas are all communities, just different kinds.

People helping people

The best part of a community is that people help each other. When each person does one job well, everyone is better off.

Look at all the helpers around you:

• A doctor helps you when you are sick.
• A farmer grows the food you eat.
• A firefighter keeps you safe.
• A crossing guard helps you cross the street.
• A teacher helps you learn.

You can help too. You can be kind. You can follow the rules. You can share. Nobody has to do everything alone. That is why living together is so good.

Key idea: A community works best when everyone helps in some way.

One street on a Saturday

Picture one small street on a Saturday morning. Watch the helpers:

1. Mr. Lee waters the flowers in the shared garden, so the street looks happy.
2. Mrs. Ortega walks the dog for Mr. Lee because his knee hurts.
3. Sam carries food up the stairs for an older neighbor.
4. Two children pick up litter, so the sidewalk is clean.

No one person did every job. Each person did one thing. Together, the whole street was cared for.

Key idea: Many small acts of help add up to a caring community.

Watch out for

• A community is not the buildings. If everyone moved away, the buildings would stay, but the community would be gone. The people make it a community.
• You do not belong to only one community. You belong to many at the same time.
• A big city is not better than a small farm town. They are just different.
• Helping does not have to be big. Even a wave or picking up litter counts.

Recap

• A community is people who share a place and help each other.
• You belong to many communities, like family, school, and a team.
• A neighborhood is the homes and people near you.
• Cities, suburbs, and rural areas are all kinds of communities.
• A community works best when everyone helps a little.

Sources

1. National Geographic Kids, articles on neighborhoods and where people live (kids.nationalgeographic.com).
2. National Geographic Education, "Community" reference entry (education.nationalgeographic.org).
3. PBS LearningMedia, early social studies resources on communities and helpers (pbslearningmedia.org).
4. Smithsonian Learning Lab, resources on people and places (learninglab.si.edu).

The big picture

Today we learn about needs and wants. A need is something you must have to live. A want is something that is nice to have. This helps you make smart choices about money and time.

Needs: things we must have

A need is something a person must have to live and stay healthy and safe. Everyone shares the same basic needs, no matter who they are.

• Food gives our bodies energy.
• Water keeps us alive.
• Shelter, like a house, keeps us warm and dry. Shelter is a safe place to live.
• Clothing protects our bodies from cold, sun, and rain.

Love, care, and safety are needs too, even though you cannot buy them in a store.

A good test for a need is to ask: could a person stay alive and healthy without this? If the answer is no, it is a need.

Key idea: A need is something you must have to live, like food, water, shelter, and clothing.

Wants: things that are nice to have

A want is something we would like to have but do not need to live. Wants make life more fun.

Toys, video games, candy, a new bike, and a trip to the movies are all wants. We can be happy and healthy without them.

Wants are not bad. It is fine to enjoy them. But it helps to know they are different from needs.

A good test for a want is to ask: would I still be safe and healthy without this, even if I felt a little sad? If yes, it is a want.

Key idea: A want is something nice to have, but you do not need it to live.

Sometimes it depends

Here is a tricky part. Some things have a need part and a want part.

Food is a need. But a fancy birthday cake is a want, because you do not need cake to live.

A coat is a need when it is freezing. But a coat covered in sparkles that costs a lot more has a want part added on.

So a smart thinker asks: what part of this is the need, and what part is the extra want? You need shoes, but light-up rocket shoes are a want on top.

Key idea: Some things are a need and a want at the same time, so look at each part.

Making choices: needs come first

We cannot always have everything we want. Money and time are limited. There is only so much to go around.

Grown-ups call this idea scarcity. Scarcity means there is not enough for everything, so we have to choose.

So people make a choice. A choice is picking one thing when you cannot have them all. If you had five dollars, you might have to pick a small toy or a treat, not both.

When you choose one thing, you give up another. Filling your needs first, then picking your favorite wants, is a smart way to spend.

Key idea: Because we cannot have everything, we choose, and needs come first.

Saving up for a bigger want

Here is a money secret you can use even as a kid. If you want something big, you can save for it. Saving means keeping some money instead of spending it all right away.

Imagine you get one dollar each week, and you want a toy that costs five dollars. If you spend your dollar on candy every week, you never reach five.

But if you save your dollar each week, then after five weeks you have enough. Saving takes patience, but it lets you reach bigger wants.

Key idea: Saving a little at a time helps you reach a bigger want.

Needs and wants for a whole town

Needs and wants are not just about one person. A whole town thinks about them too.

A town needs safe roads, clean water, and firefighters. It takes care of those first.

A town might also want a fancy new fountain or a giant statue. Those would be nice, but they are wants, not needs.

Just like you, a town has only so much money. Its leaders must choose needs first, then decide which wants they can afford.

Key idea: A town also puts its needs first before spending on wants.

Watch out for

• A want is not the same as a need, even when you really, really want it.
• Wants are not bad. It is fine to enjoy them after your needs are met.
• Some things, like food or a coat, can have both a need part and a want part.
• You cannot buy every want at once, so you choose. Choosing means giving something up.

Recap

• A need is something you must have to live, like food, water, shelter, and clothing.
• A want is something nice to have but not needed to live.
• Because there is not enough for everything, we make choices.
• Needs come first, then wants.
• Saving a little at a time helps you reach a bigger want.

Sources

1. National Geographic Kids, resources on money, needs, and wants (kids.nationalgeographic.com).
2. PBS LearningMedia, early economics lessons on needs versus wants (pbslearningmedia.org).
3. iCivics, lessons on making choices with limited resources (icivics.org).
4. Smithsonian Learning Lab, resources on people and everyday economics (learninglab.si.edu).

The big picture

Today we learn about jobs, goods, and services. People do jobs to make things and to help others. This is how a community gets everything it needs.

What is a job?

A job is the work a person does, often to earn money. Grown-ups have jobs so they can pay for their needs and wants.

There are so many kinds of jobs. A baker bakes bread. A nurse cares for sick people. A bus driver drives the bus. A farmer grows food.

Every job helps the community in some way. When people do their jobs, life works better for everyone.

Key idea: A job is the work a person does to help others and earn money.

Goods: things you can touch

Goods are things people make or grow that you can touch and hold. You can pick them up and take them home.

Here are some goods:

• An apple grown by a farmer.
• A loaf of bread baked by a baker.
• A pair of shoes made in a factory.
• A book, a toy, a chair, or a cup.

If you can hold it in your hands, it is probably a good.

Key idea: Goods are things you can touch, like food, toys, and shoes.

Services: help that people do for you

A service is helpful work one person does for another. You cannot hold a service in your hands, but it still helps you.

Here are some services:

• A doctor checks your health.
• A teacher helps you learn.
• A barber cuts your hair.
• A firefighter puts out fires.
• A mail carrier brings your letters.

A service is something a person does, not something you take home in a bag.

Key idea: A service is helpful work someone does for you, like teaching or cutting hair.

Goods or service? A quick game

Let us practice. Ask yourself: can I hold it? If yes, it is a good. If it is help someone does, it is a service.

1. A haircut is a service. You cannot hold a haircut.
2. A sandwich is a good. You can hold and eat it.
3. A doctor visit is a service.
4. A pair of socks is a good.

Key idea: If you can hold it, it is a good. If it is help, it is a service.

Producers and consumers

When someone makes goods or does a service, we call that person a producer. A producer makes or grows things or helps people.

When someone uses or buys those goods and services, we call that person a consumer. A consumer uses what producers make.

You are both! When you draw a picture, you are a producer. When you eat lunch, you are a consumer.

Key idea: A producer makes things, and a consumer uses them.

How jobs work together

Jobs fit together like puzzle pieces. Think about one loaf of bread.

1. A farmer grows the wheat.
2. A truck driver brings the wheat to a mill.
3. A worker at the mill turns it into flour.
4. A baker turns the flour into bread.
5. A store worker sells the bread to your family.

So many people helped make one loaf of bread! No one did it alone. That is how a community works.

Key idea: Many jobs work together to make the things we use every day.

Watch out for

• A good is something you can touch. A service is help someone does. They are not the same.
• A haircut, a lesson, and a doctor visit are services, even though you paid money for them.
• You can be a producer and a consumer on the same day.
• Not every job makes goods. Many jobs are services that help people.

Recap

• A job is the work a person does to help others and earn money.
• Goods are things you can touch, like food and toys.
• Services are helpful work people do, like teaching and cutting hair.
• A producer makes things, and a consumer uses them.
• Many jobs work together to make the things we use.

Sources

1. National Geographic Kids, resources on jobs and how people work (kids.nationalgeographic.com).
2. PBS LearningMedia, early economics lessons on goods and services (pbslearningmedia.org).
3. iCivics, lessons on work and the economy for young learners (icivics.org).
4. Smithsonian Learning Lab, resources on jobs and community helpers (learninglab.si.edu).

The big picture

Today we learn about maps, globes, and directions. A map is a flat picture of a place from above. Maps help us find our way and understand where things are.

What is a map?

A map is a flat drawing of a place, seen from above, like a bird looking down. It shows where things are.

Think of standing on a chair and looking down at your toys on the floor. You would see them from above. A map shows a place that way.

There are maps of many things: your school, your town, your country, and the whole world.

Key idea: A map is a flat picture of a place seen from above.

What is a globe?

A globe is a small, round model of the whole Earth. It is shaped like a ball because the real Earth is round like a ball.

A globe shows the true shape of the Earth better than a flat map. On a globe you can see land and water all around.

A map is flat and easy to carry. A globe is round and shows the real shape. Both are helpful in different ways.

Key idea: A globe is a round model of the whole Earth.

The four main directions

Directions help us tell which way to go. The four main directions are north, south, east, and west.

On most maps:

• North is up, toward the top of the map.
• South is down, toward the bottom.
• East is to the right.
• West is to the left.

A fun way to remember the order going around is: Never Eat Soggy Waffles. That is North, East, South, West.

Key idea: The four main directions are north, south, east, and west.

The compass rose

Most maps have a little helper called a compass rose. A compass rose is a small drawing that shows which way is north, south, east, and west.

It often looks like a star with letters N, S, E, and W on the points. When you look at a new map, find the compass rose first. It tells you which way is which.

The letter N always points north. Once you know where north is, you can find the other directions.

Key idea: A compass rose on a map shows you which way is north, south, east, and west.

A tool called a compass

There is also a real tool called a compass. A compass is a small tool with a needle that always points north.

Long ago, sailors and explorers used a compass to find their way across the ocean when there were no roads or signs. Even today, hikers use one.

The compass rose on a map and the compass tool both help you find north. When you know north, you can find your way.

Key idea: A compass is a tool with a needle that always points north.

Using directions to give a path

Directions help us tell someone how to get somewhere. Imagine a map of a zoo.

1. Start at the front gate.
2. Walk north to the lions.
3. Turn east to reach the monkeys.
4. Go south to find the snack stand.

See how the directions made a clear path? Anyone could follow it. That is why directions are so useful.

Key idea: Directions help us give and follow a clear path.

Watch out for

• A map is flat, but a globe is round. They both show places, just in different ways.
• North is not always the way you are facing. On a map, north is usually toward the top.
• East is to the right and west is to the left on most maps. It is easy to mix these up.
• A compass rose is a picture on a map. A compass is a real tool you hold.

Recap

• A map is a flat picture of a place seen from above.
• A globe is a round model of the whole Earth.
• The four main directions are north, south, east, and west.
• A compass rose shows directions on a map.
• A compass is a tool with a needle that points north.

Sources

1. National Geographic Kids, mapping and geography resources for children (kids.nationalgeographic.com).
2. National Geographic Education, "Map" and "Globe" reference entries (education.nationalgeographic.org).
3. PBS LearningMedia, early geography lessons on maps and directions (pbslearningmedia.org).
4. Smithsonian Learning Lab, resources on maps and exploration (learninglab.si.edu).

The big picture

Today we learn how to read the parts of a map. A map uses a map key and small pictures called symbols. These help a small map show a big, real place.

Symbols: little pictures on a map

A symbol is a small picture or shape on a map that stands for a real thing. A tiny picture can mean something much bigger in real life.

Here are some map symbols you might see:

• A little green triangle can stand for a tree or a forest.
• A small blue line can stand for a river.
• A tiny tent can stand for a campground.
• A little airplane can stand for an airport.

Mapmakers use symbols because they cannot fit real trees or real rivers on a piece of paper.

Key idea: A symbol is a small picture that stands for a real thing on a map.

The map key tells you what symbols mean

How do you know what each symbol means? You look at the map key. A map key is a little box on a map that tells you what each symbol stands for. It is sometimes called a legend.

The map key lists each symbol next to its meaning. For example, it might show a blue line and say river next to it.

When you get a new map, find the map key first. It is like a secret decoder that helps you read the whole map.

Key idea: A map key tells you what each symbol on the map means.

Colors have meaning too

Colors on a map are a kind of symbol. They usually follow a pattern.

• Blue usually means water, like rivers, lakes, and oceans.
• Green often means grass, parks, or forests.
• Brown can mean mountains or high ground.
• Gray or black lines often mean roads.

The map key will tell you what the colors mean on that map. Colors make a map quick and easy to read.

Key idea: Colors on a map stand for things too, and blue almost always means water.

What is scale?

A map is much smaller than the real place. Scale means a small distance on a map stands for a much bigger distance in real life.

Think about a photo of your family. Your mom is only a few inches tall in the photo, but she is much taller in real life. A map works the same way. A small map can show a whole huge city.

Scale is why a road that looks like a short line on a map might take a long time to drive in real life.

Key idea: Scale means a little space on the map stands for a big space in the real world.

The scale bar helps you measure

Many maps have a small ruler on them called a scale bar. A scale bar shows how much real distance a small length on the map equals.

For example, one inch on the map might equal one mile in real life. The scale bar tells you that, so you can guess how far apart two places really are.

Grown-ups use the scale bar to plan trips and to know how far they must travel.

Key idea: A scale bar shows how much real distance a small length on the map means.

Putting it together

Now you can read a map like a pro. When you see a new map, do these three steps:

1. Find the compass rose to see which way is north.
2. Read the map key to learn what the symbols and colors mean.
3. Check the scale bar to see how far apart places really are.

With these tools, a small piece of paper can show you a whole big place.

Key idea: Use the compass rose, the map key, and the scale bar to read any map.

Watch out for

• A symbol is a tiny picture. It is not the same size as the real thing.
• Do not guess what a symbol means. Check the map key to be sure.
• Blue on a map almost always means water, not something cold or sad.
• A short line on a map can be a long trip in real life, because of scale.

Recap

• A symbol is a small picture that stands for a real thing.
• A map key tells you what each symbol means.
• Colors are symbols too, and blue usually means water.
• Scale means a small space on a map stands for a big space in real life.
• A scale bar helps you measure real distances.

Sources

1. National Geographic Kids, mapping and map-reading resources for children (kids.nationalgeographic.com).
2. National Geographic Education, "Map key" and "Scale" reference entries (education.nationalgeographic.org).
3. PBS LearningMedia, early geography lessons on map symbols and keys (pbslearningmedia.org).
4. Smithsonian Learning Lab, resources on reading maps (learninglab.si.edu).

The big picture

Today we explore the whole Earth. We learn about the seven continents and the big oceans. This helps you see where your country sits on the planet.

Land and water on Earth

Look at a globe. You will see two main things: land and water. Most of the Earth is covered by water.

The really big pieces of land are called continents. The really big bodies of salt water are called oceans.

Together, the continents and oceans make up the surface of our whole planet.

Key idea: The Earth is made of big pieces of land, called continents, and big areas of water, called oceans.

What is a continent?

A continent is one of the seven very large areas of land on Earth. Continents are the biggest pieces of land there are.

There are seven continents. Here they are:

1. Africa
2. Antarctica
3. Asia
4. Australia
5. Europe
6. North America
7. South America

The United States is on the continent of North America. So are Canada and Mexico.

Key idea: A continent is one of the seven very large areas of land, and the United States is in North America.

A quick tour of the continents

Each continent is special. Here is one fun fact about each one.

• Asia is the biggest continent and has the most people.
• Africa has huge deserts, grasslands, and animals like lions and elephants.
• North America is where the United States is.
• South America has a giant rainforest called the Amazon.
• Antarctica is at the very bottom and is cold and covered in ice.
• Europe has many countries close together.
• Australia is the smallest continent and is also one country.

Key idea: Each of the seven continents is different and special.

What is an ocean?

An ocean is a very large body of salty water. Oceans are the biggest bodies of water on Earth, and they cover most of the planet.

There are five oceans:

1. Pacific Ocean
2. Atlantic Ocean
3. Indian Ocean
4. Southern Ocean
5. Arctic Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the biggest of all. The Atlantic Ocean is between North America and Europe.

Key idea: An ocean is a very large body of salty water, and the Pacific is the biggest.

Why oceans matter

Oceans are amazing and important. They are full of life, like fish, whales, dolphins, and tiny plants.

Oceans also help make our weather and rain. Water goes up into the sky from the ocean, makes clouds, and falls back down as rain.

People travel across oceans in big ships and airplanes. Long ago, explorers sailed the oceans to reach faraway lands.

Key idea: Oceans are full of life and help make our weather.

Finding your place on Earth

Let us zoom out to see where you are. This is like the nesting cups idea, from small to big.

1. You live in a town or city.
2. Your town is inside a state.
3. Your state is inside a country, the United States.
4. Your country is on the continent of North America.
5. North America is on the planet Earth, with its oceans and other continents.

Now you can find your place on the whole Earth!

Key idea: Your town is in a state, in a country, on a continent, on planet Earth.

Watch out for

• A continent is land. An ocean is water. They are not the same.
• There are seven continents and five oceans. It is easy to mix up the numbers.
• The United States is a country. It is not a continent. It sits on the continent of North America.
• The Pacific Ocean is the biggest ocean, not the Atlantic.

Recap

• The Earth is made of continents (land) and oceans (water).
• There are seven continents: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.
• There are five oceans, and the Pacific is the biggest.
• The United States is on the continent of North America.
• Your town is in a state, in a country, on a continent, on Earth.

Sources

1. National Geographic Kids, continents and oceans resources for children (kids.nationalgeographic.com).
2. National Geographic Education, "Continent" and "Ocean" reference entries (education.nationalgeographic.org).
3. PBS LearningMedia, early geography lessons on continents and oceans (pbslearningmedia.org).
4. Smithsonian Ocean, resources about the world ocean (ocean.si.edu).

The big picture

Today we learn about rules and laws. Rules and laws tell us how to act so everyone stays safe and fair. They help people get along.

What is a rule?

A rule tells you what you should or should not do. Rules help a group of people know how to act together.

You already follow many rules every day:

• At home: brush your teeth and pick up your toys.
• At school: raise your hand and take turns.
• In a game: everyone follows the same rules so it is fair.

Rules are not made to be mean. They are made to help everyone.

Key idea: A rule tells you what you should or should not do so a group can get along.

What is a law?

A law is a special, important rule for a whole town, state, or country. Everyone must follow the law, even grown-ups.

Laws are made by leaders in the government to keep people safe and treat everyone fairly.

Here are some laws you may know:

• Cars must stop at a red light.
• People must not steal.
• Children must go to school.
• Everyone must wear a seatbelt in a car.

Key idea: A law is an important rule that everyone in a place must follow.

How rules and laws are alike and different

Rules and laws are alike because both tell us how to act. But there is a difference.

A rule can be for a small group, like your family or your class. Your family might have a rule about bedtime that other families do not have.

A law is for everyone in a town, state, or country. You cannot make your own law. Laws are made by the government.

Key idea: A rule can be for a small group, but a law is for everyone in a place.

Why do we have rules and laws?

Imagine a soccer game with no rules. Players could pick up the ball, push each other, or run the wrong way. It would be no fun and someone could get hurt.

Rules and laws help in three big ways:

1. They keep people safe, like a law that says cars stop at red lights.
2. They keep things fair, like a rule that says take turns.
3. They help people get along, so we do not fight over every little thing.

Without rules and laws, life would be confusing and unsafe.

Key idea: Rules and laws keep us safe, keep things fair, and help us get along.

What if someone breaks a law?

When someone breaks a law, there is usually a consequence. A consequence is what happens after you break a rule or law.

If a driver runs a red light, a police officer might give them a ticket. This helps everyone remember to follow the law and stay safe.

Police officers and judges help make sure laws are followed in a fair way. Their job is to keep the community safe.

Key idea: Breaking a law has a consequence, which helps keep everyone safe.

Good rules can change

Rules and laws are made by people, so they can be changed if they are not fair or not helpful anymore.

In your class, if a rule is not working, you might talk it over and pick a better one. Grown-up leaders do this with laws too.

This is a wonderful thing. It means people can work together to make rules more fair over time.

Key idea: Rules and laws can be changed to make them more fair.

Watch out for

• Rules are not made to be mean. They are made to help everyone.
• A law is not the same as a small family rule. A law is for everyone in a place.
• You cannot make your own law. Laws are made by the government.
• Even grown-ups must follow laws. Laws are for everyone.

Recap

• A rule tells you what you should or should not do.
• A law is an important rule that everyone in a place must follow.
• A rule can be for a small group, but a law is for everyone.
• Rules and laws keep us safe, keep things fair, and help us get along.
• Breaking a law has a consequence, and laws can be changed to be more fair.

Sources

1. iCivics, lessons on rules, laws, and why we have them (icivics.org).
2. Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government, "Why do we have laws?" for young learners (bensguide.gpo.gov).
3. PBS LearningMedia, early civics lessons on rules and laws (pbslearningmedia.org).
4. National Geographic Kids, resources on communities and getting along (kids.nationalgeographic.com).

The big picture

Today we learn about government. Government is the group of people who lead a place and make its rules. There are three levels: local, state, and national.

What is government?

A government is the group of people who lead a community and make its laws. Government helps keep people safe and takes care of shared things.

Government does many jobs for everyone, like building roads, running schools, keeping parks clean, and paying firefighters and police.

These are big jobs. No single family could do them alone, so we share them through the government.

Key idea: Government is the group of people who lead a place and make its laws.

Three levels of government

In the United States, government works at three sizes, or levels. Think of the nesting cups again, from small to big.

1. Local government leads your town or city.
2. State government leads your whole state.
3. National government leads the whole country.

Each level takes care of different things, and they all work together.

Key idea: The three levels of government are local, state, and national.

Local government: your town

Local government takes care of your town or city. It is the closest to you.

The leader of a city is often called a mayor. A mayor helps make choices for the whole town.

Local government takes care of things close to home:

• Fixing the streets in your town.
• Running the local library and parks.
• Paying the town firefighters and police.
• Picking up the trash.

Key idea: Local government leads your town, and its leader is often a mayor.

State government: your state

A state is a large part of the country with its own leaders. The United States has fifty states, like Texas, Ohio, and California.

The leader of a state is called a governor. A governor helps lead the whole state.

State government takes care of bigger things, like:

• Big highways that cross the state.
• State parks.
• Helping all the schools in the state.

Key idea: State government leads your state, and its leader is a governor.

National government: the whole country

The national government leads the whole United States. It is the biggest level. It is also called the federal government.

The leader of our country is called the president. The president helps lead the whole nation.

The national government takes care of the biggest jobs, like:

• Keeping the whole country safe.
• Printing our money.
• Making choices that affect every state.

Key idea: National government leads the whole country, and its leader is the president.

How the levels work together

The three levels are like a team. Each one has its own job, but they all help the same people, which is you and your family.

Think about a snowy day. Your town plows your street (local). The state plows the big highway (state). And the national government helps if there is a huge storm across many states (national).

All three levels work together to take care of everyone.

Key idea: Local, state, and national government each do their part and work together.

People choose their leaders

Here is something special about our country. The people help choose their leaders by voting. Voting means making a choice count by marking it, often on a ballot.

Grown-ups vote to pick the mayor, the governor, the president, and other leaders. This gives the people a voice in their government.

When you grow up, you will be able to vote too. It is an important way to help your community.

Key idea: In our country, grown-ups vote to help choose their leaders.

Watch out for

• A mayor leads a town, a governor leads a state, and a president leads the whole country. It is easy to mix these up.
• The national government is the biggest level, not the smallest.
• Local government is the closest to you, taking care of your own town.
• People do not just get to be leaders on their own. Grown-ups vote to choose them.

Recap

• Government is the group of people who lead a place and make its laws.
• The three levels are local, state, and national.
• A mayor leads a town, a governor leads a state, and a president leads the country.
• The three levels work together to take care of everyone.
• Grown-ups vote to help choose their leaders.

Sources

1. Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government, levels and branches of government for young learners (bensguide.gpo.gov).
2. iCivics, lessons on local, state, and national government (icivics.org).
3. PBS LearningMedia, early civics lessons on government and leaders (pbslearningmedia.org).
4. National Geographic Kids, resources on the United States and its states (kids.nationalgeographic.com).

The big picture

Today we learn about American symbols and holidays. A symbol is something that stands for a bigger idea. These symbols and holidays help us share our country's story.

What is a symbol?

A symbol is a picture, object, or sign that stands for a bigger idea. When you see it, you think of that idea.

You already know some symbols. A red heart stands for love. A green light means go. Our country has special symbols too.

American symbols help people remember the ideas our country cares about, like freedom and working together.

Key idea: A symbol is something that stands for a bigger idea.

The American flag

The American flag is one of our most important symbols. It has red and white stripes and white stars on a blue square.

The parts of the flag have meaning:

• There are 50 stars, one for each of the 50 states.
• There are 13 stripes, one for each of the first 13 colonies that started our country.

People show respect for the flag by standing quietly when it is raised. We fly the flag at schools, homes, and on holidays.

Key idea: The American flag has 50 stars for the 50 states and 13 stripes for the first 13 colonies.

More American symbols

Our country has many other symbols. Here are a few famous ones:

• The Statue of Liberty is a giant statue of a woman holding a torch. It stands in New York and welcomes people to America. It is a symbol of freedom.
• The bald eagle is our national bird. It stands for strength and freedom.
• The Liberty Bell is a large old bell in Philadelphia. It is a symbol of freedom from long ago.
• The White House is where the president lives and works.

Key idea: The Statue of Liberty, the bald eagle, and the Liberty Bell are all American symbols of freedom.

What is a holiday?

A holiday is a special day when we remember an important person, event, or idea. Many people do not go to work or school on a holiday.

Holidays help us remember our country's story and celebrate together. Families often gather, share food, and enjoy the day.

Some holidays are happy celebrations. Others are quiet days to say thank you and remember.

Key idea: A holiday is a special day to remember an important person, event, or idea.

Some American holidays

Here are some holidays many Americans share:

• Independence Day, on July 4th, celebrates the day America became its own country. People enjoy parades, picnics, and fireworks.
• Thanksgiving, in November, is a day to give thanks and share a big meal with family.
• Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor people who served and gave their lives for our country.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors a leader who worked for fairness and kindness for all people.
• Presidents Day honors the leaders of our country, like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Key idea: American holidays like Independence Day and Thanksgiving help us remember and celebrate together.

Songs and pledges

We also share special words and songs. The national anthem is our country's special song. It is called The Star-Spangled Banner, and it is about the American flag.

Many children say the Pledge of Allegiance at school. It is a promise to be loyal to our country and to treat people fairly.

These songs and words are a way for people all over the country to share the same feelings of pride and hope.

Key idea: The national anthem is our country's special song, and it is about the flag.

Watch out for

• The flag has 50 stars for states and 13 stripes for the first colonies. The numbers are not the same.
• The Statue of Liberty is a statue, and the Liberty Bell is a bell. They are two different symbols.
• A holiday is more than a day off. It is a day to remember something important.
• Independence Day is July 4th, when America became its own country. It is not the day it was discovered.

Recap

• A symbol is something that stands for a bigger idea.
• The American flag has 50 stars and 13 stripes.
• The Statue of Liberty, bald eagle, and Liberty Bell are symbols of freedom.
• A holiday is a special day to remember an important person, event, or idea.
• The national anthem is our country's special song about the flag.

Sources

1. Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government, U.S. symbols and holidays for young learners (bensguide.gpo.gov).
2. National Geographic Kids, resources on American symbols and landmarks (kids.nationalgeographic.com).
3. Smithsonian, National Museum of American History resources on flags and symbols (americanhistory.si.edu).
4. PBS LearningMedia, early social studies lessons on American holidays (pbslearningmedia.org).

The big picture

Today we meet some people who helped shape America. We also learn about a timeline, which shows when things happened. These people worked hard to make our country better.

What is history?

History is the story of what happened in the past, before now. When you learn about people who lived long ago, you are learning history.

History helps us remember brave and kind people. It helps us learn from what they did.

To keep events in order, we use a timeline. A timeline is a line that shows when things happened, in the order they happened, from earlier to later.

Key idea: History is the story of the past, and a timeline shows when things happened in order.

George Washington

George Washington was the first president of the United States. People call him the Father of Our Country.

Long ago, he led the American soldiers who won our country's freedom. Then the people chose him to be the very first president.

He is on the one dollar bill and the quarter, so you may have seen his face already.

Key idea: George Washington was the first president of the United States.

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth president. He led our country during a very hard time called the Civil War.

Lincoln worked to keep the country together. He also helped end slavery, which was a cruel and unfair time when some people were forced to work and were not free.

Lincoln is on the penny and the five dollar bill. He is remembered for being honest and brave.

Key idea: Abraham Lincoln helped keep our country together and helped end slavery.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader who worked for fairness. He wanted all people to be treated kindly and equally, no matter the color of their skin.

He asked people to work for change in a peaceful way, with words and marches instead of fighting. His famous dream was that all children could be friends and be treated fairly.

We honor him with a holiday in January, called Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Key idea: Martin Luther King Jr. worked in a peaceful way for fairness for all people.

More Americans who helped

Many people helped shape America. Here are a few more:

• Rosa Parks was brave and helped fight for fairness by refusing to give up her bus seat.
• Susan B. Anthony worked hard so that women would be allowed to vote.
• Benjamin Franklin was a writer and inventor who helped start our country.
• Harriet Tubman was brave and helped many people escape slavery to be free.

Each of these people was once a child, just like you. They grew up and helped make the country better.

Key idea: Many brave Americans, like Rosa Parks and Harriet Tubman, helped make our country more fair.

Reading a simple timeline

Let us put a few of these people on a timeline, from earlier to later. This helps us see who lived first.

1. George Washington helped start the country long ago.
2. Abraham Lincoln led during the Civil War, later than Washington.
3. Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. worked for fairness, later still, closer to today.

A timeline shows the order, so you can see that Washington came before Lincoln, and Lincoln came before Dr. King.

Key idea: A timeline puts events in order so we can see what came first.

Watch out for

• George Washington was the first president. Abraham Lincoln came much later.
• Martin Luther King Jr. worked for change in a peaceful way, not by fighting.
• A timeline goes in order, from earlier to later. Mixing up the order changes the story.
• These famous people were once children too. Anyone can grow up to help others.

Recap

• History is the story of the past, and a timeline shows when things happened.
• George Washington was the first president of the United States.
• Abraham Lincoln helped keep the country together and helped end slavery.
• Martin Luther King Jr. worked in a peaceful way for fairness for all people.
• Many brave Americans helped make our country more fair.

Sources

1. Smithsonian, National Museum of American History resources on American leaders (americanhistory.si.edu).
2. National Geographic Kids, biographies of famous Americans for children (kids.nationalgeographic.com).
3. Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government, resources on U.S. presidents and history (bensguide.gpo.gov).
4. PBS LearningMedia, early history lessons on people who shaped America (pbslearningmedia.org).

The big picture

Today we learn about Native Americans, the first people who lived here. They lived on this land long before anyone else came. Many Native American nations are still here today.

Who are Native Americans?

Native Americans are the first people who lived in America, long before other people arrived from far away. They are also called American Indians or Indigenous people. Indigenous means the first people to live in a place.

Native Americans lived on this land for thousands of years. They knew how to find food, build homes, and take care of the land.

It is important to know that Native Americans are not just people from the past. Many Native Americans live in the United States today.

Key idea: Native Americans are the first people who lived in America, and many are still here today.

Many different nations

Native Americans are not all the same. There are many groups, and each one is called a nation or a tribe. A nation is a large group of people who share the same language, leaders, and ways of living.

There are hundreds of Native American nations. Here are just a few:

• The Cherokee
• The Navajo, also called the Dine
• The Lakota, part of the Sioux
• The Hopi
• The Iroquois, also called the Haudenosaunee

Each nation has its own language, stories, and traditions. They are all different and special.

Key idea: There are many different Native American nations, and each one is special.

Different homes for different lands

Native American nations lived all over the land, and they built homes that fit their part of the country.

• Some nations on the plains lived in a tipi, a tent made of poles and animal skins that could be moved.
• Some nations in the Southwest built homes of clay and stone called pueblos.
• Some nations in the Northeast built long wooden homes called longhouses, where many families lived together.

They used what they found around them, like wood, clay, and grass, to build the right kind of home.

Key idea: Native American nations built different homes that fit the land where they lived.

Living with the land

Native Americans knew a lot about nature. They learned to get food and other things they needed from the land around them.

Different nations lived in different ways:

• Some grew crops like corn, beans, and squash. These three were so important that some people called them the Three Sisters.
• Some hunted animals like buffalo and deer.
• Some fished in rivers and the sea.
• Some gathered berries, nuts, and plants.

They were careful to take only what they needed and to give thanks for it.

Key idea: Native Americans got food from the land by farming, hunting, fishing, and gathering.

Stories, art, and traditions

Native American nations have rich culture. Culture is the way a group of people live, including their stories, music, food, art, and celebrations.

Many nations told stories out loud to teach lessons and to remember their past. They made beautiful art, like pottery, blankets, and beadwork.

They also had special dances, songs, and gatherings. Many of these traditions are still shared today, passed from grandparents to children.

Key idea: Native American culture includes stories, art, music, and traditions that are still shared today.

Native Americans today

Native Americans are an important part of our country today. They live in every state. They are teachers, doctors, artists, athletes, leaders, and more.

Many nations keep their languages and traditions alive. They hold gatherings called powwows, where people dance, sing, and celebrate together.

When we learn about Native Americans with respect, we honor the first people of this land and the many nations that are still thriving.

Key idea: Native Americans are still an important part of our country today.

Watch out for

• Native Americans are not all the same. There are many different nations, each with its own language and ways.
• Native Americans are not only people from the past. Many live in the United States today.
• Not all Native Americans lived in tipis. Homes were different in different places.
• Native American culture is real and living, not just something in old stories.

Recap

• Native Americans are the first people who lived in America.
• There are many different nations, each with its own language and traditions.
• They built different homes, like tipis, pueblos, and longhouses, to fit the land.
• They got food by farming, hunting, fishing, and gathering.
• Native Americans are still an important part of our country today.

Sources

1. Smithsonian, National Museum of the American Indian resources for young learners (americanindian.si.edu).
2. National Geographic Kids, resources on Native American nations and cultures (kids.nationalgeographic.com).
3. PBS LearningMedia, early social studies lessons on Native Americans (pbslearningmedia.org).
4. Smithsonian Learning Lab, Native knowledge and culture collections (learninglab.si.edu).

The big picture

Today we learn how to be a good citizen. A citizen is a member of a community or country. Being a good citizen means helping others and doing your part.

What is a citizen?

A citizen is a member of a community, a state, or a country. You are a citizen of your town, your state, and the United States, all at once.

Being a citizen is a little like being on a team. Every member matters, and every member can help.

A good citizen cares about their community and tries to make it a better place for everyone.

Key idea: A citizen is a member of a community or country, and every citizen can help.

Follow the rules and laws

One way to be a good citizen is to follow the rules and laws. Rules and laws keep everyone safe and fair.

When you follow rules, you help everyone around you:

• Looking both ways before you cross keeps you safe.
• Taking turns makes games fair for everyone.
• Cleaning up your mess helps the whole group.

Good citizens follow rules even when no one is watching, because it is the right thing to do.

Key idea: A good citizen follows rules and laws to keep everyone safe and fair.

Be kind and respectful

A good citizen treats other people with respect. Respect means being kind and polite, and treating others the way you want to be treated.

Here are simple ways to show respect:

• Say please and thank you.
• Listen when someone else is talking.
• Include others and do not leave people out.
• Be gentle with your words and your hands.

Respect helps everyone feel welcome and safe in the community.

Key idea: A good citizen is kind and treats others with respect.

Help your community

A good citizen helps out. Even a small helper can make a big difference.

Here are ways a child can help the community:

• Pick up litter to keep parks and streets clean.
• Help a neighbor carry something or rake leaves.
• Share toys and take turns.
• Donate old clothes or food to families who need them.
• Help take care of the classroom or the playground.

When you help, you make your community a better place, and it feels good too.

Key idea: A good citizen helps the community in small and big ways.

Care for the Earth

Being a good citizen also means taking care of our planet. The Earth is a home we all share.

You can help the Earth by:

• Turning off lights and water when you are done.
• Putting trash in the trash can and recycling when you can.
• Planting flowers or trees.
• Not wasting food or paper.

When everyone does a little to care for the Earth, it adds up to a lot.

Key idea: A good citizen helps take care of the Earth, our shared home.

Have a voice and make choices

Good citizens also share their ideas in a kind way. When your class votes on a game or a book, you are being a citizen by helping decide.

When you grow up, you will be able to vote to help choose leaders. Voting is one important way citizens have a voice in their government.

You do not have to wait until you are grown to have a voice. You can speak up kindly, help make fair choices, and stand up for others right now.

Key idea: A good citizen shares ideas kindly and, when grown, votes to help choose leaders.

Watch out for

• Being a citizen is not just about grown-ups. Children can be good citizens too.
• Helping does not have to be big. Small acts, like picking up litter, count a lot.
• Following rules only when someone is watching is not the same as being a good citizen.
• Respect means treating everyone kindly, not just your friends.

Recap

• A citizen is a member of a community or country.
• A good citizen follows rules and laws.
• A good citizen is kind and treats others with respect.
• A good citizen helps the community and takes care of the Earth.
• A good citizen shares ideas kindly and, when grown, votes.

Sources

1. iCivics, lessons on citizenship and being a good citizen (icivics.org).
2. Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government, resources on citizens and civic life (bensguide.gpo.gov).
3. PBS LearningMedia, early civics lessons on good citizenship (pbslearningmedia.org).
4. National Geographic Kids, resources on caring for communities and the Earth (kids.nationalgeographic.com).