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Learning Standards Standards

What does a student learn in ?

This is the year students start to see themselves as part of a group bigger than their family. Students learn to follow simple rules, take turns, and respect classmates who are different from them. They hear about the past through holidays and stories, point out the American and Oklahoma flags, and use words like near, far, before, and after. By spring, students can name a classroom rule, find their seat on a simple map, and explain why people work.

  • Good citizenship
  • Rules and sharing
  • Flags and symbols
  • Past and present
  • Maps and directions
  • Needs and wants
  • Community helpers
Source: Oklahoma Oklahoma 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. 1

    Being part of a group

    Students learn how rules and routines help a classroom work. They practice listening to classmates, taking turns, and treating each person with respect, even when ideas differ.

  2. 2

    Symbols and being a citizen

    Students start to recognize the United States and Oklahoma flags and talk about what it means to be a good citizen. They notice that respecting other people and their things is part of belonging.

  3. 3

    People and times before now

    Students hear stories about people from long ago and talk about why some holidays and names matter. They use words like before and after to describe how things change over time.

  4. 4

    Places, maps, and culture

    Students learn that a map is a drawing of a place and use words like near, far, and across to describe where things are. They share family customs and notice how each family does things a little differently.

  5. 5

    Needs, work, and trade

    Students talk about food, clothing, and shelter as things everyone needs. They learn that people work to get what they need, and that a buyer gives money to a seller in exchange for something.

Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Pre-Kindergarten.

  • The student will understand and demonstrate traits of good citizenship

    PK.1

    Good citizens follow rules, share with others, and help people around them. Students practice these habits by taking turns, listening, and being kind in school.

  • The student will understand the importance of the study of history

    PK.2

    History is the story of people and events from the past. Students learn why looking back at what happened helps us understand the world around us today.

  • The student will examine the basic concepts of physical and human geography

    PK.3

    Students look at maps and pictures to notice what places look like: hills, water, roads, and buildings. It is an early introduction to how people and land fit together.

  • The student will identify basic economic concepts

    PK.4

    Students learn that goods are things you can buy or own, and services are things people do for others, like a haircut or a bus ride. They start to see how needs and wants are different.

The student will understand and demonstrate traits of good citizenship.

  • Describe the importance of rules and personal responsibilities, including…

    PK.1.1

    Rules help a classroom and family run smoothly. Students learn why rules matter, how to listen when others speak, and how to work with a group to make decisions together.

  • Explain the need to respect the equal dignity and uniqueness of individuals in…

    PK.1.2

    Students learn why every person in their class deserves to be treated kindly, even when people look, speak, or act differently from one another.

  • Describe the concept of patriotism, citizenship

    PK.1.3

    Students learn what it means to be a good citizen: following rules, respecting other people, and taking care of shared spaces. Patriotism means feeling proud of your country and showing it through actions like being kind and fair.

  • Identify the United States and the Oklahoma flags as symbols of the nation and…

    PK.1.4

    Students learn to recognize the American flag and the Oklahoma flag as symbols that stand for their country and their state.

The student will understand the importance of the study of history.

  • Explain history as the events that happened to people of other times and places

    PK.2.1

    History is the story of real people and events from the past. Students begin to understand that things happened before they were born, in different places and times.

  • Describe how and why we honor people and events of the past

    PK.2.2

    Students learn why communities celebrate holidays and name buildings after certain people. It's a first look at how the past shapes the world around them.

  • Use words and phrases

    PK.2.3

    Students practice putting events in order and describing what happened before or after something else. Words like "before" and "after" help them explain how things change over time.

  • Explain that lessons can be learned from the past and from decisions that…

    PK.2.4

    Stories about things that happened long ago can teach us what to do (or not do) today. Students talk about what people decided in the past and what we can learn from those choices.

The student will examine the basic concepts of physical and human geography.

  • Explain that a map is a drawing that represents a place

    PK.3.1

    Students learn that a map is a drawing of a real place, like their classroom or neighborhood. It shows where things are located, just smaller than the real thing.

  • Use basic directional terms in relation to the student’s relative location

    PK.3.2

    Students practice words like near, far, and between to describe where things are around them. They learn to talk about location before they learn to read a map.

  • Describe the classroom as both a geographic place and a community of people

    PK.3.3

    Students learn that their classroom is both a real place with walls, windows, and furniture, and a group of people who share it. They practice describing where things are and how people work together in that space.

  • Identify customs and traditions as basic elements of culture, using examples…

    PK.3.4

    Students learn that different families have their own special ways of celebrating, eating, and spending time together. These everyday rituals and holiday traditions are what make each family's culture unique.

The student will identify basic economic concepts.

  • Identify basic needs that all people share

    PK.4.1

    Students name the things every person needs to get through the day: food to eat, clothes to wear, and a place to sleep.

  • Explain how people’s needs are met through work or trade

    PK.4.2

    People work to earn money for food, shelter, and clothing. Students learn that people also trade goods or services when they need something someone else has.

  • Explain how resources are used by people to meet their needs

    PK.4.3

    Resources are things like food, water, and shelter that people need to live. Students learn that people use what's around them to get what they need.

  • Describe how the work of various school personnel provides needed services for…

    PK.4.4

    Students learn that the people who work at school, like teachers, custodians, and the principal, each have a job that helps students learn and stay safe.

  • Identify the differences between buyers and sellers, using examples relevant to…

    PK.4.5

    Students learn who buys things and who sells things. They practice telling the difference using everyday examples, like a cashier at a store or a child paying for a snack.

Common Questions
  • What does social studies look like at this age?

    Students learn how to be a good member of a family and classroom. They talk about rules, fairness, maps, holidays, and the jobs people do. Most of it happens through stories, songs, and conversation, not worksheets.

  • How can I help with this at home?

    Talk about why families have rules and let students help with small decisions, like what to pack for a picnic. Point out flags, holidays, and community helpers when you see them. Ten minutes of real conversation a day goes a long way.

  • Does a four year old really need to learn about citizenship?

    At this age, citizenship means taking turns, listening, and treating classmates with respect. It is not about politics. Practicing these habits at home, like waiting for a turn at the playground, supports the same skills.

  • What should students know by the end of the year?

    They should follow classroom rules, name the United States and Oklahoma flags, and use words like before, after, near, and far. They should also name basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter, and describe a few jobs people do.

  • How should I sequence these topics across the year?

    Start with classroom rules and responsibilities in the first weeks, since every other topic builds on that community. Move into history and holidays as they come up on the calendar, then layer in maps and economic ideas during the second half of the year.

  • Which parts usually need the most reteaching?

    Time words like before and after take repeated practice, and so does the idea that a map stands for a real place. Plan to revisit both across many short activities rather than one long lesson.

  • How do I teach maps to students who cannot read yet?

    Start with a drawing of the classroom and walk students through it. Use picture symbols for the door, rug, and tables. Once they can find spots on a classroom map, move out to the playground or school.

  • How can I help my child understand history at this age?

    Share short family stories about when you were little or look at old photos together. Use the words before, after, and a long time ago. Visiting a grandparent or an older neighbor and asking what school was like also helps.

  • How will I know my child is ready for kindergarten social studies?

    Students are ready when they can follow classroom rules, take turns, name a few community helpers, and talk about events using before and after. Recognizing the American flag and naming basic needs like food and shelter are also good signs.