Social Studies Department Standards

 

 

1.   Time, Change and Continuity:  The student will be able to demonstrate basic notions about historical changes, occurring in family, community (their country US, PR), and recognizes the importance of these as part of their historical heritage.

 

2.   People, Places and Environment:  The student will be able to analyze the interaction among people, places and the environment, and develop an ability to apply a geographic perspective to daily life situations.

 

3.   Culture, Social-Science, Technology and Society:  The student will be able to interpret social realities utilizing their integrated knowledge derived from social studies, humanities, and technology.

 

4.   Cultural Identity:  The student will be able to recognize the elements that form part of the Puerto Rican culture, patrimony, and the historical places that give us our cultural identity.

 

5.   Individual Development and Identity:  The student will demonstrate a sense of self-identity, integrated personality, and an adequate concept of himself/herself.

 

6.   Civic Ideals and Practices:  The student will be able to value and practice the principles of a democratic system.

 

7.   Global Communities and Consciousness:  The student will demonstrate through behavior, awareness of belonging to a global community in time and space.

 


8.         Production, Consumption, and Distribution:  The student will be able to study how societies organize production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and how to develop the ability to make effective economical decisions in a personal and collective scenario.


Standard #1

 

            Time, Change and Continuity:  The student will be able to demonstrate basic notions of historical changes, occurring in family, community (e.g. their country US, PR), and recognizes the importance of these as part of their historical heritage.

 

Benchmarks

 

            Level              Pre - Kindergarten

 

1.   Demonstrates knowledge of developmental changes among family members (e.g. life cycles of family members).

 

2.   Distinguishes similarities and differences between past, present, and future.

 

3.   Recognizes the sequence of events (e.g. beginning, middle, and end) in a story.

 

4.   Views the development of history through changes in character traits (e.g. Taínos from Puerto Ricans today).

 

            Level I            Kindergarten - Second Grade

 

1.      Compares and contrasts the changes of events, places, people and situations through time, identifying how they contribute to our understanding of the past.

 

2.      Utilizes adequate notions when referring to the past, present and future to explain the changes that occurred in people, families, and communities.

 

3.      Identifies and uses various sources for reconstructing the past such as: documents, letters, maps, textbooks, etc.

 

4.      Recognizes attitudes and values which have contributed to the development of good citizens.

 

5.      Identifies relevant events in their life, family, community, and country (e.g. PR and US).

 

6.      Reads and constructs simple timelines.

7.      Utilizes appropriate technological resources to discover changes that occurred through time in individuals, families, communities, and countries (e.g. PR and US).

 

          Level II           Third - Fifth Grade

 

1.      Comprehends economic, social, and political aspects of historical changes.

 

2.      Identifies, constructs, and describes historical periods and comprehends the chronological order of events (e.g. Timeline).

 

3.      Interprets and reconstructs the past in order to look for origin of historical phenomenons.

 

4.      Identifies attitudes, values, and diverse forms to proceed depending on different historical contexts and cultures.

 

5.      Comprehends the difference between relevant and non-relevant causes of historical events.

 

6.      Utilizes technology to study historical events.

 

            Level III          Sixth - Eighth Grade

 

1.      Explains historical changes regarding politics, society and economics.

 

2.      Identifies and utilizes concepts related to: current events.

 

3.      Investigates in order to interpret and validate findings from the past.

 

4.      Develops sensitivity by identifying oneself with the values, attitudes, and behavior of others in different historical periods.

 

5.      Utilizes the concepts of cause and effect to explain historical processes.

 

6.      Interprets and constructs conceptual maps to organize historical events.

 

7.      Utilizes technological resources when conducting an investigation about different periods and historical events.

 


            Level IV         Ninth - Twelfth Grade

 

1.      Applies the concept of historical processes when analyzing events and historical periods.

 

2.      Evaluates historical events as part of a reconstruction process and interprets of the past in order to understand the present and project the future.

 

3.      Applies the historical method of inquiry when studying specific problems and social situations in different cultural contexts.

 

4.      Demonstrates appreciation towards historical legacies of humanity and the struggle for freedom, human rights, social justice, and equality.

 

5.      Applies the concepts of chronology, origin, change, and conflict to analyze changes in patterns and community.

 

6.      Constructs and applies graphic organization to present historical events or processes.

 

7.      Applies technology to investigate, interpret, and analyze multiple points of view (e.g. historical events confronted with empathy and critical judgment).

 

 

Standard # 2

 

            People, Places and Environment:  The student will be able to analyze the interaction among people, places and the environment, and develop an ability to apply a geographic perspective to daily life situations.

 

Benchmarks

 

            Level              Pre - Kindergarten

 

1.      Understands that maps can represent his or her surroundings.

 

2.      Knows geographic information about oneself (e.g. town, addresses, phone numbers).

 

3.      Uses simple geographic thinking and knows natural features of the environment (e.g. trees, plants, beaches).

 

4.      Knows common features (e.g. streets, signs, routes, buildings).

 

5.      Knows how people affect the environment in negative (e.g. pollution) and positive ways (e.g. recycle, picking up litter).

 

            Level I            Kindergarten - Second Grade

 

1.      Constructs and interprets simple mental maps to determine distance and relative location.

 

2.      Uses cardinal directions to indicate the relative location of an object in relation to the classroom, school, and community.

 

3.      Identifies ways to divide space at different scales and estimate distance.

 

4.      Identifies essential elements of nature (e.g. mountains, plateaus, islands, oceans).

 

5.      Describes the ways in which human beings interact with their physical environment, the changes that are produced, and the importance of conservation.

 

6.      Identifies how ways of life differ among people of different places and mentions how the environment affects their ways of life and culture.

 

7.      Describes changes that occurred in the school or community’s environment through time, and based on those changes, make predictions of changes that may occur in the future.

 

8.      Interprets, uses, and distinguishes various representations of the Earth (e.g. maps, globes, photographs).

 

9.      Utilizes appropriate technology to explore and observe the world.

 

10.  Identifies geographic reasons by which families move from one place to another.

 

 


            Level II           Third - Fifth Grade

 

1.      Determines the absolute location, using parallel and meridian lines to determine latitudes and longitude.

 

2.      Constructs and uses maps, tables, and graphs to show or distinguish spatial distribution patterns to generate geographic information.

 

3.      Locates and describes varying landforms and geographic features (e.g. mountains, plateaus, islands, rain forests, deserts, oceans), and explains their relationships within the ecosystem.

 

4.      Observes and gives possible reasons to explain patterns of spatial distribution, development of cities, distribution of population, and the utilization of the Earth and migration.

 

5.      Explains the human environment relationship and gives examples of it in different geographic contexts.

 

6.      Describes how physical processes, shape the Earth’s surface, relief and how the Earth sun relationship affect the condition of living on our planet.

 

7.      Uses technology to identify world regions comparing and contrasting their characteristics.

 

8.      Understands the importance of the transportation and communication systems in the economic and social processes at different levels.

 

            Level III          Sixth - Eighth Grade

 

1.      Locates and describes in various ways the geographic space in different parts of the world and identifies the location of different places, physical features, and important events on maps and globes.

 

2.      Creates and interprets maps, charts, and graphs to represent and explain spatial distribution patterns and utilizes mental maps to identify the relative location of places.

 

3.      Analyzes divisions of the earth surface at different levels, and proposes possible reasons to explain the location of the limits within the divisions.

 

4.      Identifies regions at different spatial scales and defines the characteristics related to each region.

 

5.      Compares and proposes alternatives for the uses of Earth and the resources in different parts of the world.

6.      Distinguishes the characteristics of different ecosystems.

 

7.      Describes diverse ways in which natural processes and human activities alter the physical characteristics of a particular place.

 

8.      Interprets, analyzes statistics, and prepares graphs with information about migratory movements in diverse countries throughout different historic periods.

 

9.      Applies technology to study and interpret aspects of physical and human geography (e.g. PR, US, diverse regions of the world).

 

10.  Describes patterns of migration, language diffusion, traditions, religion, illnesses, physical elements, and other cultural aspects.

 

11.  Analyzes the interaction of human and physical systems to anticipate the conditions of the Earth in the present, and to speculate about future conditions.

 

12.  Presents various reasons that lead to collaboration or to a conflict among communities, and explains the importance of the spatial considerations for such interaction.

 

13.  Describes structures related to population making use of demographic terms.

 

14.  Constructs and interprets population pyramids and analyzes problems about the population distribution and human resources distribution.

 

            Level IV         Ninth - Twelfth Grade

 

1.      Analyzes the geographic environment of diverse places around the world; comparing and contrasting peculiar aspects related to location and geographic region.

 

2.      Creates, interprets uses, and synthesizes information from various representations of the earth such as maps, globes, and photographs.

 

3.      Analyzes actual environmental issues to propose and assess alternatives toward a solution.

 

4.      Analyzes the dynamic processes that occur in the atmosphere and the different layers and surfaces of the Earth.

 

5.      Evaluates, differentiates, and explains the relationships among various regional and global patterns of geographic phenomena (e.g. landforms, soils, climate, vegetation, natural resources, population).

 

6.      Analyzes how historical events and human activity have influenced human and physical geography (e.g. PR, US, the world).

 

7.      Analyzes and evaluates social and economic effects of the impact of natural disasters.

 

8.      Applies technology through investigation, analysis, and evaluation of the geographic environment.

 

9.      Evaluates the impact of the collaboration among individuals and places to solve conflicts between the development of regions and the protection of the geographic space.

 

10.  Compares and evaluates policies that are established regarding the use of the Earth and other resources, and proposes alternatives for communities, states, and the world.

 

11.  Analyzes migratory movement in Puerto Rico as a geo-historic constant and how this has structured the Puerto Rican society in the context of economic, political, and social problems.

 

12.  Predicts tendencies of population distribution in the world and analyzes the economical, political, and social consequences due to the changes of its distribution.

 

 


Standard # 3

 

            Culture, Social-Science, Technology and Society:  The student will be able to interpret social realities utilizing their integrated knowledge derived from social studies, humanities, and technology.

 

Benchmarks

 

            Level              Pre - Kindergarten

 

1.      Recognizes the importance of basic social groups such as family, and can identify his/her role as a member of the family.

 

2.      Identifies the relationship between self and basic institutions within the society (e.g. family, home, school).

 

3.      Identifies and describes artistic creations and expressions of our culture (e.g. language, stories, music).

 

4.      Uses appropriate technology to explore and observe his/her immediate environment and the world in which he/she lives.

 

            Level I            Kindergarten - Second Grade

 

1.      Recognizes the importance of basic social groups such as family, as an element of unity and social solidarity, and can identify his/her role as member of a family.

 

2.      Identifies basic institutions created by society and the relationship of people within that society (e.g. family, home, school).

 

3.      Identifies and describes the norms or laws that are needed to create a family, a community, and a country.

 

4.      Describes ways in which language, stories, folktales, music, and artistic creation serve as expressions of culture and influence behavior of people living in a particular country.

 

5.      Identifies and describes examples in which science and technology have changed the life of people (e.g. homemaking, childcare, work, transportation, communication).

 

6.      Uses appropriate technology to explore and observe his/her immediate environment, and the world in which he/she lives.

 

            Level II           Third - Fifth Grade

 

1.      Describes instances in which changes in values, beliefs, and attitudes have resulted from new scientific knowledge such as conservation of resources, and awareness of chemicals harmful to life and the environment.

 

2.      Explores and describes similarities and differences in the ways groups, societies, and cultures address similar human needs and concerns  articulating the implication of cultural diversity.

 

3.      Recognizes the importance of social institutions as elements of social unity, solidarity, and diversity; identifying examples of how social institutions transmit culture.

 

4.      Indicates the importance of political institutions to regulate collective life in society and identifies key elements of the democratic system.

 

5.      Describes how language, stories, folktales, music, and artistic creations serve as expressions of culture and influence the behavior of people living in a particular part of the world.

 

6.      Explains how science and technology have changed people’s lifestyle giving examples of those changes in Puerto Rico, the United States, and other countries of the world.

 

7.      Identifies and describes examples in which science and technology have led to changes in the physical environment (e.g. the building of dams and levees, offshore drilling, medicine from the rain forests, loss of rain forests due to extraction of resources or alternative use).

 

            Level III          Sixth - Eighth Grade

 

1.      Compares and contrasts social structures and institutions in different countries and the ways he/she transmit his/her culture.

 

2.      Demonstrates an understanding of the concepts of social structure, basic institutions, social class, groups, and collective life among others.

 

3.      Examines and compares political institutions in different parts of the world that regulate society.

 

4.      Explains and gives examples of how language, literature, the arts, architecture, artifacts, traditions, beliefs, values, and behaviors contribute to the development and transmission of culture.

 

5.      Describes situations in which technology creates conflicts and changes in people’s values, beliefs, and attitudes.

 

6.      Demonstrates through specific examples how science and technology have changed people’s perceptions of the social and natural world, such as in their relationship to the land, animal life, family life, economic needs, wants, and security.

 

            Level IV         Ninth - Twelfth Grade

 

1.      Analyzes the processes and mechanisms through which society is organized in order to establish a system of public order that regulates society.

 

2.      Applies the concepts of power, authority, justice, law, rights, and duties, among others, in his/her examination of persistent issues and social problems.

 

3.      Analyzes the importance of countries that create political institutions and establish laws and principles that regulate societies.

 

4.      Applies an understanding of culture as an integrated whole that explains the functions and interactions of language, literature, the arts, traditions, beliefs, values, and behavior patterns of any given country.

 

5.      Seeks reasonable and ethical solutions to problems that arise when scientific advancement and social norms or values come into conflict.

 

6.      Analyzes how science and technology influence the core values, beliefs, and attitudes of society, and how they shape scientific and technological change.

 

 


Standard # 4

 

            Cultural Identity:  The student will be able to recognize the elements that form part of the Puerto Rican culture, patrimony, and the historical places that give us our cultural identity.

 

Benchmarks

 

            Level              Pre - Kindergarten

 

1.      Identifies and explains the importance of patriotic symbols and holidays.

 

2.      Identifies artistic creations as Puerto Rican cultural expressions (e.g. music, traditions, customs).

 

3.      Distinguishes basic elements of history and cultures (e.g. PR, etc.).

 

4.      Knows similarities and differences among people (e.g. culture, language, gender, abilities).

 

            Level I            Kindergarten - Second Grade

 

1.      Identifies significant dates and events as part of our cultural patrimony.

 

2.      Knows and respects patriotic symbols.

 

3.      Recognizes the various ways in which Puerto Rican men and woman have honored and contributed to the prestige of the country.

 

4.      Identifies artistic creations as Puerto Rican cultural expressions (e.g. music, traditions, customs).

 

5.      Identifies, with examples, how technology has influenced the Puerto Rican culture (e.g. communication, transportation, language, etc).

 

            Level II           Third - Fifth Grade

 

1.      Indicates characteristics that distinguish different periods of our historic and cultural development.

 

2.      Distinguishes elements that form the cultural patrimony, left as legacies by our ancestors, and recognizes other elements and factors that have influenced the Puerto Rican culture.

 

3.      Demonstrates pride and respect for Puerto Rican culture and recognizes the value in other cultures.

 

4.      Recognizes the historic and cultural relations of Puerto Rico and other nations.

 

5.      Describes basic characteristics of the social, political, and economic development of Puerto Rico.

 

6.      Identifies examples of cultural diversity in Puerto Rico and demonstrates respect towards them.

 

7.      Describes how technology has contributed to changes in our culture.

 

            Level III          Sixth - Eighth Grade

 

1.      Indicates the fundamental aspects of the political, economic, and social development of Puerto Rico during different historical periods.

 

2.      Understands the relationship between the historical/cultural process of Puerto Rico and the historical processes of other countries.

 

3.      Knows and values the cultural manifestation of Puerto Ricans which establishes the basis for our identity as a nation.

 

4.      Explains and gives examples of how language, arts, music, beliefs, values, customs and traditions among others, help in the development and spreading of the Puerto Rican culture.

 

5.      Demonstrates pride and consciousness of the natural, historical, and cultural patrimony.

 

6.      Analyzes how technology influences the development of Puerto Rican culture.

 

            Level IV         Ninth - Twelfth Grade

 

1.      Analyzes the fundamental aspects of the cultural development of Puerto Rico.

 

2.      Argues the relation between political and economical processes and social conflicts which explain the historical evolution of Puerto Rico.

 

3.      Participates, in a responsible manner, in the economical, political, social, and cultural activities of Puerto Rico.

 

4.      Examines and analyzes the problems and situations of Puerto Rico.

 

5.      Uses reasonable and documented judgments in the analysis of social problems in Puerto Rico.

 

6.      Evaluates how technology has influenced the Puerto Rican culture, making inferences of possible future cultural changes.

 

7.      Applies concepts, ideas, theories, and modes of inquiry to disciplines such as Anthropology and Sociology to examine social problems in our society.

 

8.      Makes decisions and establishes courses of action when confronted with diverse situations that contribute to the well-being of society.

 

 

Standard #5

 

      Individual Development and Identity:  The student will demonstrate a sense of self-identity, integrated personality, and an adequate concept of himself/herself.

 

Benchmarks

 

            Level              Pre - Kindergarten

 

1.      Knows his or her name, gender, age, and place.

 

2.      Recognizes the members of a family.

 

3.      Identifies similarities and differences among people (e.g. culture, language, abilities).

 

4.      Acknowledges his/her own skills, abilities, characteristics, and preferences.

 

5.      Displays positive self-esteem and confidence in his/her abilities.

6.      Manages emotions appropriately (e.g. expresses feelings with language, controls anger).

 

7.      Participates in a variety of group and individual activities, tasks, and play.

 

8.      Shows a desire to be independent.

 

            Level I            Kindergarten - Second Grade

 

1.      Describes personal changes over time, such as those related to physical development and personal interests.

 

2.      Describes personal connections to place- especially place as associated with immediate surroundings.

 

3.      Describes the unique features of one’s nuclear and extended families.

 

4.      Identifies and describes ways family, groups, and community influence the individual’s daily life and personal choices.

 

5.      Explores factors that contribute to one’s personal identity such as interests, capabilities, and perceptions.

 

6.      Works independently and cooperatively to accomplish goals.

 

7.      Demonstrates emotional control and values in respect to laws, rules, attitudes, and values.

 

            Level II           Third - Fifth Grade

 

1.      Analyzes a particular event to identify reasons individuals might respond to it in different ways.

 

2.      Relates personal changes to social, cultural, and historical contexts.

 

3.      Describes personal connections to place- as associated with a community, a nation, and the world.

 

4.      Describes the ways family, gender, ethnicity, nationality, and institutional affiliations contribute to personal identity.

 

5.      Relates factors like physical endowment and capabilities, learning, motivation, personality, and behavior to individual development.

6.      Works independently and cooperatively to accomplish goals.

 

            Level III          Sixth - Eighth Grade.

 

1.      Identifies and describes ways regional, ethnic, and national cultures influence the individual’s daily life.

 

2.      Identifies and describes the influence of perception, attitudes, values, and beliefs on personal identity.

 

3.      Identifies and interprets examples of stereotyping, conformity, and altruism.

 

4.      Articulates personal connections to time, place, and social/cultural systems.

 

5.      Describes the ways in which family, religion, gender, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, and other group and cultural influences contribute to the development of a sense of self.

 

6.      Works independently and cooperatively to accomplish goals.

 

            Level IV          Ninth - Twelfth Grade

 

1.      Identifies, describes, and expresses appreciation for the influences of various historical and contemporary cultures on an individual’s daily life.

 

2.      Applies concepts, methods, and theories about the study of human growth and development (e.g. physical endowment, learning, motivation, behavior, perception, personality).

 

3.      Demonstrates understanding of ethnic, national, or cultural interactions or influences in specific situations or events.

 

4.      Analyzes the role of perceptions, attitudes, values, and beliefs in the development of personal identity.

 

5.      Compares and evaluates the impact of stereotyping, conformity, acts of altruism, and other behaviors on individuals and groups.

 

6.      Works independently and cooperatively within groups and institutions to accomplish goals.

 

7.      Demonstrates a positive attitude towards the world of work that promotes self-confidence and develops self-esteem.

 

Standard # 6

 

            Civic Ideals and Practices:  The student will be able to value and practice the principles of a democratic system.

 

Benchmarks

 

            Level              Pre - Kindergarten

 

1.      Knows the rights and responsibilities of the members of social groups such as family and school.

 

2.      Participates in family, community, and school activities.

 

3.      Understands rules and the purposes they serve.

 

4.      Recognizes different ways to express respect to family, community, and country.

 

5.      Understands the concept of fairness.

 

            Level I            Kindergarten - Second Grade

 

1.      Recognizes the authority of primary social groups such as family, school, and community among others.

 

2.      Identifies examples of rights and responsibilities of citizens.

 

3.      Explains actions citizens can take to influence public policy decisions.

 

4.      Identifies consequences and rewards related to the carrying out of the responsibilities of family, community, and the country.

 

5.      Recognizes different ways to express respect to family, community, and country.

 

6.      Understands the concept of fairness.

 


Level II           Third - Fifth Grade

 

1.      Recognizes and interprets how the “common good” can be strengthened through various forms of citizen action.

 

2.      Examines the influences of public opinion on personal decision-making and government policy on public issues.

 

3.      Recognizes that a variety of formal and informal actions influence and shape public policy.

 

4.      Describes how public policies are used to address issues of public concern.

 

            Level III          Sixth - Eighth Grade

 

1.      Examines the origins and continuing influence of key ideals of the democratic and republican forms of government (e.g. individual human dignity, liberty, justice, equality, the rule of law).

 

2.      Practices forms of civic discussion and is in consistent participation with the ideals of citizens in a democratic republic.

 

3.      Examines strategies designed to strengthen the “common good”, which consider a range of options for citizen action.

 

4.      Identifies and interprets sources and examples of the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

 

5.      Locates, accesses, analyzes, organizes, and applies information about selected public issues—recognizing and explaining multiple points of view.

 

6.      Describes ways of problem solving and cooperation to settle conflicts among individuals, groups, and nations, showing empathy and tolerance toward other points of view.

 

7.      Analyzes the influence of diverse forms of public opinion on the development of public policy and decision-making.

 

8.      Values democracy as a way of life and government system.  The student also values the process of decision making and acts under the principles of this political and social organization.

 

9.      Recognizes duties and rights in relationships, social groups, and as a citizen in a democracy.

 

            Level IV         Ninth - Twelfth Grade

 

1.      Practices forms of civic discussion and participation consistent with the ideals of citizens in a democratic system.

 

2.      Evaluates the power of government in relation to limits of authority in a constitutional democracy.

 

3.      Locates, accesses, analyzes, organizes, synthesizes, evaluates, and applies information about selected public issues—identifying, describing, and evaluating multiple points of view.

 

4.      Analyzes a variety of public policies and issues from the perspective of formal and informal political actions.

 

5.      Evaluates the degree to which public policies and citizen behaviors reflect or foster the stated ideals of a democratic republican form of government.

 

6.      Constructs a policy statement and an action plan to achieve one or more goals related to an issue of public concern.

 

7.      Participates in activities to strengthen the “common good”, based upon careful evaluation of possible options for citizen action.

 

8.      Examines situations and conflicts related to the rights and duties of a citizen and the decision making concerning the appropriate behavior of responsible citizens.

 

 


Standard # 7

 

            Global Communities and Consciousness:  The student will demonstrate through behavior, awareness of belonging to a global community in time and space.

 

Benchmarks

 

            Level              Pre - Kindergarten

 

1.      Demonstrates empathy, cares for others, and has a desire to help others.

 

2.      Respects the feelings, opinions, and perspectives of others.

 

3.      Knows similarities and differences among people (e.g. culture, ability, language).

 

            Level I            Kindergarten - Second Grade

 

1.      Identifies different ways to prove the interdependence between members of a family, community, and country.

 

2.      Recognizes similarities and differences between human beings around the world.

 

3.      Provides examples of conflict, cooperation, and interdependence among individuals, groups, and nations.

 

4.      Identifies causes, consequences, and possible solutions to persistent contemporary and emerging global issues, such as pollution and endangered species.

 

5.      Examines the effects of changing technologies on the global community.

 

            Level II            Third - Fifth Grade

 

1.      Identifies aspects of interaction and cultural exchange between nations of the world.

 

2.      Recognizes that we are global citizens.

 

3.      Recognizes the interdependence of people and countries of the earth.

 

4.      Comprehends similarities and differences among history, geography, institutions, traditions, and values among different nations.

 

5.      Demonstrates the ability to see things from diverse perspectives.

 

6.      Investigates concerns, issues, standards, and conflicts related to universal human rights (e.g. treatment of children, discrimination of women, effects of war, poverty, religious groups).

 

7.      Examines how technology influences the interactions and interdependence of communities around the world.

 

            Level III          Sixth - Eighth Grade

 

1.      Examines the history of Puerto Rico in a global context connecting it with world history.

 

2.      Explores connections between local events and international events.

 

3.      Recognizes unity and diversity among nations of the world.

 

4.      Demonstrates ability to think in terms of global causes and effects.

 

5.      Understands the world is an ecosystem with limited resources that need to be used with care.

 

6.      Explores the causes, consequences, and possible solutions to persistent, contemporary, and emerging global issues (e.g. health, security, resource allocation, economic development, environmental quality).

 

7.      Demonstrates empathy towards dignity, values, and equality among human beings.

 

8.      Describes and analyzes the effects of changing technologies on the global community.

 

            Level IV         Ninth - Twelfth Grade

 

1.      Critically analyzes problems and alternatives on a global scale and its repercussions on Puerto Rican Society.

 

2.      Presents arguments and discusses themes such as global interdependency, reduction of poverty, national security, promoting human rights, preservation of ecosystems, and disarmament among others.

 

3.      Identifies international organizations through which individual groups and countries can improve the conditions of humanity.

 

4.      Demonstrates the ability to understand and react to international and intercultural matters.

 

5.      Recognizes the contribution of world populations to the creation of human culture.

 

6.      Assesses the positive and negative effects of technology on the interactions between people and cultures of the world.

 

7.      Participates in activities and organizations created to attend to human problems.

 

8.      Uses technology effectively to study different regions and cultures and establishes relationships, communication, and interchange among nations of the world.

 

 

Standard # 8

 

            Production, Consumption, and Distribution:  The student will be able to study how societies organize production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and how to develop the ability to make effective economical decisions in a personal and collective scenario.

 

Benchmarks

 

            Level              Pre - Kindergarten

 

1.      Demonstrates basic concepts of buying, selling, and trading.

 

2.      Distinguishes between needs and wants.

 

3.      Understands the role and importance of community helpers and their contribution to the production of goods and services.

 

4.      Demonstrates the ability to respect and share with others.

 

 

            Level I            Kindergarten - Second Grade

 

1.      Utilizes adequate vocabulary to explain the economic activities of families, communities, and countries.

 

2.      Distinguishes between needs and wants comparing size and quantity.

 

3.      Describes the function of currency (money) and savings in every day life.

 

4.      Distinguishes between public/private goods and services and their availability (e.g. community, country).

 

5.      Distinguishes between commerce and industry and offers examples of different types of professions.

 

6.      Explains how work contributes to the satisfaction of basic needs of a family, community, and society and recognizes that all types of professions are worthy.

 

7.      Identifies different types of economical institutions used by families, communities, and countries.

 

8.      Describes how economical decisions could affect the lives of the members of a family, community, and country.

 

9.      Explains how families, communities, and different societies produce and exchange products and services and develop interdependence.

 

10.  Describes how means of communication influence consumption habits in a family, community, and country.

 

            Level II           Third - Fifth Grade

 

1.      Applies economical concepts to different situations.

 

2.      Explains why some products are limited and others are abundant.

 

3.      Explains how different forms of economical exchange contribute to a collective improvement.

 

4.      Identifies goods and services produced and how these are part of a global economy.

 

5.      Compares and contrasts economical bases of capitalism and the use of resources by people in different historical moments and geographical places.

 

6.      Describes how commercial development and industries determine change in employment in towns, countries, and the world.

 

7.      Explains how human groups and industries work to satisfy individual needs promoting a common good.

 

8.      Identifies the economical reasons that influence the movements and expansions of different human groups.

 

9.      Identifies uncontrolled consumption and values good consumer habits.

 

            Level III          Sixth - Eighth Grade

 

1.      Utilizes economical concepts to explain historical development and applies them to different local and global situations.

 

2.      Analyzes how towns, countries, and the world establish priorities in order to satisfy economical and fundamental needs.

 

3.      Describes and explains how currency facilitates commerce, credits, and savings comparing the value of goods and services.

 

4.      Describes the role of local/national commercial relations with other countries and offers examples to illustrate.

 

5.      Explains how government intervenes through public funding to satisfy basic needs of society (e.g. health, education, security).

 

6.      Describes how capital investments, human resources, and technology affect the degree and quality of life.

 

7.      Explains the ways governments around the world have organized their economy to satisfy their needs in a determined historical period; and compares economic systems.

 

8.      Identifies and explains diverse points of views regarding fundamental economical debates (e.g. contributions, unemployment, price increase, external debts, fair distribution of wealth).

 

9.      Mentions effective means that can be implemented to control the use of goods and services; promoting the trustworthiness of citizens in all sectors of the society.

 

10.  Explains how the location and concentration of determined resources influence the development of national/international politics and economics.

 

            Level IV         Ninth - Twelfth Grade

 

1.      Applies knowledge of production, distribution, and consumption to particular situations and to the analysis of public problems that could present a social impact.

 

2.      Analyzes the economic determination of countries regarding the lack of products and/or overproduction and their consequences.

 

3.      Explains how decisions made by companies or government can determine salary levels, employment, and prices.

 

4.      Explains how national/international economic policies influence employment, interest rates, production, and prices.

 

5.      Explains and evaluates the effects of technology in a global economy of interdependence and the competition of market development.

 

6.      Compares the forms in which individuals and societies are organized to resolve conflicts between limited resources and unlimited necessities.

 

7.      Evaluates different systems of economy and analyzes how these impact moments in a country’s history.

 

8.      Evaluates the effects of labor movements.

 

9.      Compares and contrasts how values, beliefs, and social practices influence the decisions of economical systems.