Social Studies
Social Studies Curriculum: Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
RISD Social Studies curriculum is the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
In RISD, teachers develop lessons that are aligned to the TEKS and follow the scope and sequence and instructional guidance supported by the Texas Curriculum Management Program Cooperative (TCMPC).
While all RISD students learn the same essential content and skills, teachers design daily lessons and activities to meet students’ needs, interests, and learning styles. As a result, learning experiences may look different from classroom to classroom while maintaining consistent district expectations for learning and mastery.
Social Studies helps students build important skills for success, including critical thinking, problem-solving, literacy, collaboration, and responsible citizenship.
Supplemental Social Studies Resources Used in RISD Classrooms:
The following are SUPPLEMENTAL resources available for teachers to use to supplement their TEKS-aligned lessons.
These resources are intended for classroom use to meet individual student learning needs as necessary and are not considered a comprehensive curriculum for all students.
Parents can access all digital resources through their students’ Classlink or Schoology.
- Kindergarten – 3rd Grade: Texas Studies Weekly print and digital licenses
- Kindergarten – Studies Weekly: My Home and School Community
- 1st Grade – Studies Weekly: My School and Local Community
- 2nd Grade – Studies Weekly: Connecting My Communities
- 3rd Grade – Studies Weekly: Our Expanding Community
- 4th Grade – 6th Grade: Visual Non-Glossary District Digital License
- 4th Grade – Savvas: MyWorld Social Studies We Are Texas Grade 4
- 5th Grade – Savvas: MyWorld Social Studies Building Our Nation Texas Grade 5
- 6th Grade – Savvas: Contemporary World Cultures Texas Grade 6
- 7th Grade – 8th Grade: Social Studies School Service – Active Classroom Campus Digital Licenses, Lowman Education Campus Digital Licenses, Visual Non-Glossary District Digital License
- Kindergarten – 3rd Grade: Texas Studies Weekly print and digital licenses
- 9 – 12th Grade:
- World Geography: Social Studies School Service – Active Classroom Campus Digital Licenses
- World History: Social Studies School Service – Active Classroom Campus Digital Licenses
- US History Since 1877: Social Studies School Service – Social Studies School Service – Active Classroom Campus Digital Licenses, Lowman Education, Visual Non-Glossary
- U.S. Government: Social Studies School Service – Active Classroom Campus Digital Licenses
- Economics with an Emphasis on Free Enterprise and its Benefits: Social Studies School Service – Active Classroom Campus Digital Licenses
- Mexican American Studies: Social Studies School Service – Active Classroom Campus Digital Licenses
- African American Studies: Social Studies School Service – Active Classroom, Black History 365: An Inclusive Account of American History print textbook ISBN 0989850498 (class sets)
- Psychology: Social Studies School Service – Active Classroom
- Sociology: High School Sociology, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Student Digital Licenses for HMH Ed. access
- Personal Financial Literacy: Next Gen Personal Finance
- AP Human Geography: Human Geography for the AP Course ISBN 1319192246 BFW Publishers, Student Digital Licenses
- AP World History: Ways of the World for AP World History Modern Course Since 1200 C.E. ISBN 131940930X, Student Digital Licenses
- AP European History: A History of Western Society Since 1300 for the AP Course ISBN 1319070337 BFW Publishers, Student Digital Licenses
- AP US History: AP US History 4th Edition Interactive ISBN 9781663613028, AMSCO Publisher, Student Digital Licenses
- AP Macroeconomics: Krugman’s Economics for the AP Course ISBN 1319409326 BFW Publishers, Student Digital Licenses
- AP Government & Politics: Government in America, People, Politics, and Policy ISBN 978013692810. Published by Pearson, Revel Digital Access Student Digital Licenses for Schoology
- AP Psychology: Myers’ Psychology for the AP Course ISBN 1319281168 BFW Publishers, Student Digital Licenses
How can I help my student with social studies at home?
You don’t need to be a social studies expert to help! Here are simple ways to support your student:
- Ask them what they learned today and encourage them to explain it in their own words.
- Have them practice short written explanations using “because…” or “this led to…”
- Review class notes or online materials together for 5–10 minutes a few times a week.
- Encourage reading (any nonfiction helps build background knowledge).
- Celebrate small wins — reviewing just one topic a night for a few minutes adds up fast!
Strategies to Improve Your Student’s Understanding:
History
- Discuss with your child significant events from U.S. history that you witnessed or remember with your child. Describe to your child how these significant events affected daily life in the U.S. and encourage your child to research the causes of these events.
- When asking your child questions about what he or she learned in history, ask follow-up questions about how the events are connected. Include personal, familial, or local anecdotes when appropriate to help your child remember important moments.
Geography and Culture
- Over a meal, talk with your child about how food reflects culture and geography. Different topics could include the cultures that the foods come from, how food is regulated and labeled, or the technology that allows for modern food science.
- When you and your child are traveling from one place to another, talk with your child about the geographic features that you pass. Discuss with your child the connections between the physical features of the land and the people of the area. Ask your child questions about what the area might have been like before modern infrastructure and transportation.
Government and Citizenship
- Talk with your child about important legislation that is being debated. Ask your child to find out more about what the policies will do and how the policies are different or similar to past policies.
- Help your child find volunteer opportunities in your local community that match his or her interests. Challenge your child to think about how he or she can make a difference in your community.
Economics, Science, Technology, and Society
- Encourage your child to find connections between his or her hobbies and history. For example, a child who loves puzzles might be interested in how codes were used in World War II or a child who loves music might want to know more about the origins of his or her favorite genres.
- Ask your child to learn about where the objects that he or she interacts with on a daily basis come from. For example, what company designed your child’s cell phone? Where were your child’s glasses made? How did your child’s shoes end up at the store? Help your child understand the interconnected nature of the modern global economy.
