The goal of social studies is to help create literate and well-informed citizens who actively participate in a democratic society. Students learn how to become effective citizens through:
The grades 4 and 5 curricula are designed to align with the Maryland State Department of Education’s (MSDE) curriculum frameworks and the way students learn and apply social studies skills in Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) middle school courses to help prepare them for the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) Social Studies 8 assessment. In grades 4 and 5, social studies includes learning about United States history, including national, state, and local history. The content includes the experiences of groups that reflect the diversity of Montgomery County. Additionally, learning is aligned to Learning for Justice’s Social Justice Standards and the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards. Grades 4 and 5 students learn how to take informed action in their communities using their content knowledge and social studies skills application.
During the 2025-26 school year, new kindergarten through grade 3 social studies curricula will be implemented in schools.