Social Studies Content Standards

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The following charts were developed by OPCE to help Ohio educators integrate character education into their teaching by providing the Ohio Social Studies Content Standards Benchmarks and indicators that most directly relate to the teaching of character and the development of good citizenship. The charts are organized by each Social Studies strand with the most relevant grade level benchmarks and indicators to integrate with character education. Click on this link to get the complete Ohio Social Studies Academic Content Standards An extensive list of resources on character and citizenship is also provided. Embedding character education into the curriculum makes it easier for teachers to address the need for students to become citizens of good character.

For shortcuts to each of the Social Studies Strands:

History
People in Societies
Economics
Government
Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities
Social Studies Skills and Methods

Character connections can be made to almost all of the content standards, and over the next year, OPCE will develop and post more of these connections (so check back!)

Grade level	History		Making the Character Education Connection
K-2 Benchmark	Recognize that the actions of individuals make a difference, and relate the stories of people from diverse backgrounds who have contributed to the heritage of the United States .
Kindergarten Indicators	Heritage	Listen to and discuss songs, poetry, literature and drama that reflect the cultural heritages of the people of the United States .	Respect, fairness, caring are character qualities that can be connected to teaching about the different cultural groups that make up America .
Grade 1 Indicators	Heritage	Relate stories of the heroism and the achievements of the people associated with state and federal holidays.	What character qualities did these heroes possess? Bravery, courage, integrity?
Grade 2 Indicators	Heritage	Recognize the importance of individual action and character and explain how they have made a difference in others' lives with emphasis on the importance of: a. Social and political leaders in the United States (e.g., George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Tecumseh, Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony and Martin Luther King Jr.); b. Explorers, inventors and scientists (e.g., George Washington Carver, Thomas Edison, Charles Drew, Rachel Carson and Neil Armstrong).	How did the character of these individuals help them make a difference? What character qualities did they possess?
Grades 11-12 Benchmark	Explain patterns of historical continuity and change by challenging arguments of historical inevitability.
Grade 12 Indicators	Analysis and Interpretation	Challenge arguments of historical inevitability by giving examples of how different choices could have led to different consequences (e.g., choices made during the Civil War, choices relating to immigration policy, or choices made during the Cuban Missile Crisis).	Make the connection to personal choices and consequences to help students develop responsibility.

Grade level	People in Societies		Making the Character Education Connection
K-2 Benchmarks	Identify practices and products of diverse cultures. Identify ways that different cultures within the United States and the world have shaped our national heritage.
Kindergarten Indicators	Cultures	Identify ways that individuals in the family, school and community are unique and ways that they are the same.	Use character traits as descriptors – responsible, kind, caring, honest, cooperative, etc.
	Diffusion	Identify different cultures through the study of holidays, customs and traditions utilizing language, stories, folktales, music and the arts.	Respect and fairness should be discussed as part of learning about different cultural groups.
Grade 1 Indicators	Cultures	Describe the cultural practices and products of people on different continents.	Respect and fairness should be discussed as part of learning about different cultural groups.
	Diffusion	Describe ways in which language, stories, folktales, music and artistic creations serve as expressions of culture and influence the behavior of people living in a particular culture. Explain how contributions of different cultures within the United States have influenced our common national heritage. Describe the contributions of significant individuals, including artisans, inventors, scientists, architects, explorers and political leaders to the cultural heritage of the United States .	Learning about other cultures should include teaching respect for all and what it means to be respectful toward others. Caring and compassion can also be connected to these lessons. How did the character of these individuals help them make a difference? What character qualities did they possess?
Grades 3-5 Benchmarks	Compare practices and products of North American cultural groups.
Grade 3 Indicators	Cultures	Compare some of the cultural practices and products of various groups of people who have lived in the local community Compare the cultural practices and products of the local community with those of other communities in Ohio , the United States and countries of the world.	Learning about other cultures should include teaching respect for all and what it means to be respectful toward others. Caring and compassion can also be connected to these lessons.
Grades 6-8 Benchmarks	Compare cultural practices, products and perspectives of past civilizations in order to understand commonality and diversity of cultures. Analyze examples of interactions between cultural groups and explain the factors that contribute to cooperation and conflict. Explain how contact between different cultures impacts the diffusion of belief systems, art, science, technology, language and forms of government.
Grade 6 indicators	Cultures	Compare world religions and belief systems focusing on geographic origins, founding leaders and teachings including: a. Buddhism; b. Christianity; c. Judaism; d. Hinduism; e. Islam.	How can we show respect for those whose religious beliefs differ from ours without violating our personal beliefs?
	Interaction	Explain factors that foster conflict or cooperation among countries: a. Language; b. Religion; c. Types of government; d. Historic relationships; Economic interests.	These lessons can include learning personal conflict resolution skills
Grade 8 indicators	Interaction	Trace the development of religious diversity in the colonies, and analyze how the concept of religious freedom has evolved in the United States . Describe and explain the social, economic and political effects of: Stereotyping and prejudice; Racism and discrimination; Institutionalized racism and institutionalized discrimination.	How can we show respect for those whose religious beliefs differ from ours without violating our personal beliefs? Integrate with conflict resolution skills, discussions of respect, fairness, compassion.
	Diffusion	Explain how the diverse peoples of the United States developed a common national identity.	Respect, fairness, caring, cooperation
Grades 9-10 Benchmarks	Analyze the influence of different cultural perspectives on the actions of groups. Analyze the consequences of oppression, discrimination and conflict between cultures. Analyze the ways that contacts between people of different cultures result in exchanges of cultural practices.
Grade 9 indicators	Interaction	Analyze the results of political, economic, and social oppression and the violation of human rights including: The exploitation of indigenous peoples; The Holocaust and other acts of genocide, including those that have occurred in Armenia , Rwanda , Bosnia and Iraq .	Discuss the role of character in these events- including acts of courage and bravery by individuals.
Grades 11-12 Benchmarks	Analyze how issues may be viewed differently by various cultural groups. Identify the causes of political, economic and social oppression and analyze ways individuals, organizations and countries respond to resulting conflicts. Explain the role of diverse cultural institutions in shaping American society.
Grade 11 indicators	Interaction	Identify and analyze governmental policies that enable individuals of different cultures to participate in the U.S. society and economy including: Naturalization; Voting rights; Racial integration; Affirmative action. Analyze ways countries and organizations respond to conflicts between forces of unity and forces of diversity (e.g., English only/bilingual education, theocracies/religious freedom, immigration quotas/open immigration policy, single-sex schools/coeducation).	Citizenship and the importance of civic participation. Respect, fairness, compassion Integrate with conflict resolution skill development, citizenship, respect and fairness.
	Diffusion	Explain how the United States has been affected politically, economically and socially by its multicultural diversity (e.g., work force, new ideas and perspectives, and modifications to culture).	Integrate with citizenship, respect, caring, fairness
Grade 12 Indicators	Cultures	Identify the perspectives of diverse cultural groups when analyzing current issues. Analyze proposed solutions to current issues from the perspectives of diverse cultural groups.	Integrate with citizenship, respect, caring, fairness

Grade level	Economics		Making the Character Education Connection
K-2 Benchmarks	Explain how the scarcity of resources requires people to make choices to satisfy their wants. Distinguish between goods and services and explain how people can be both buyers and sellers of goods and services.
Kindergarten Indicators	Scarcity and Resource Allocation	Recognize that people have many wants. Explain how people make decisions in order to satisfy their wants.	Relate wants to trait of self-control and citizenship. How do fairness, compassion, and honesty help people make good decisions?
Grade 1 Indicators	Scarcity and Resource Allocation	Explain that wants are unlimited and resources are scarce, thereby forcing individuals to make choices.	How do fairness, compassion, and honesty help people make good decisions?
Grades 11-12 Benchmarks	Analyze how scarcity of productive resources affects supply, demand, inflation and economic choices. Analyze the role of fiscal and regulatory policies in a mixed economy.
Grade 12 Indicators	Scarcity and Resource Allocation	Compare how values and beliefs influence economic decisions in different communities. Select a current issue; identify the costs and benefits of various choices to determine the impact of personal and social economic decisions on the allocation of productive resources.	How do character qualities influence decisions? Citizenship, self-control, persistence, trustworthiness, honesty?
	Government and the Economy	Identify public policies that may cost more than the benefits they generate, assess who enjoys the benefits, who bears the cost and explain why the policies exist.	Relate to fairness, and citizenship.

Grade level

Interaction