Grade Level: 2

Unit 1: What Makes a Community?

Concepts
Interdependence/Dependence

Enduring Understandings
A community is made up of people who live in a common area and share public services.
People consume goods and services to meet their wants and needs.
People in a community rich in natural resources may share their resources with other communities in need.
Communities have rules and laws to maintain order.
A thriving community relies on the interdependence between a community and its members.

Skills
1.  Dictionary skills
2.  Map skills--reading and using a key
3.  Locate people and places that provide information, services, products and natural resources.
4.  Classify items in categories (wants/needs)
5.  Determine cause/effect relationships
6.  Use a variety of information tools

Unit 2: Our Town--Middlebury and Southbury

Concepts
Culture/Civilizations

Enduring Understandings
Holidays, celebrations, customs, traditions and folktales reflect beliefs and values.
Communities have organizations/institutions (clubs, schools, churches, etc.) to meet the different needs of the people.
Specific individuals may make contributions that enhance the community.
The geography of a community can determine the culture.
The culture of the community determines the kinds of businesses and the jobs available.
Citizens in a community shape the government and the services provided.

Skills
1.  Use a compass rose.
2.  Use a map key
3.  Find a specific location on a map

Unit 3: Our Community: Then and Now

Concepts
Change/Continuity

Enduring Understandings
Community lifestyles change over time.
Jobs, products, and services change to meet the needs of the community.
Communities change the way they use land.
Inventions create changes in transportation and communication.
Communities have historical events and individuals that can shape its development.

Skills
1.  Role play
2.  Collect data, analyze data--research
3.  Interview to gather information
4.  Map skills to locate specific places
5.  Compare/contrast
6.  Work individually and with others to make decisions
7.  Determine cause/effect relationships