Understanding the evolution of local communities involves studying historical events through timelines, utilizing both primary and secondary sources to observe changes over time. Local communities continually evolve, influenced by a variety of factors.
Systems of transportation and communication move people, products and ideas from place to place.
Communities may include diverse cultural groups.
Evidence of positive and negative human modification of the environment can be observed in the local community.
PLACES AND REGIONS
Daily life is influenced by the agriculture, industry and natural resources in different communities.
SPATIAL THINKING AND SKILLS
Physical and political maps have distinctive characteristics and purposes. Places can be located on a map by using the title, key, alphanumeric grid and cardinal directions.
Government
ROLES AND SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT
The structure of local governments may differ from one
community to another.
Governments have authority to make and enforce laws.
RULES AND LAWS
Laws are rules which apply to all people in a community and describe ways people are expected to behave. Laws promote order and security, provide public services and protect the rights of individuals in the local community.
CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND SKILLS
Individuals make the community a better place by taking action
to solve problems in a way that promotes the common good.
Members of local communities have rights and responsibilities.
Economic
FINANCIAL LITERACY
A budget is a plan to help people make personal economic
decisions for the present and future and to become more financially responsible.
Making decisions involves weighing costs and benefits.
MARKETS
A market is where buyers and sellers exchange goods and services.
PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
Aconsumerisapersonwhosewantsaresatisfiedbyusing goods and services. A producer makes goods and/or provides services.
SCARCITY
Both positive and negative incentives affect individuals’ choices and behaviors.
Individuals must make decisions because of the scarcity of resources. Making a decision involves a trade-off.
ECONOMIC DECISION MAKING AND SKILLS
Line graphs are used to show changes in data over time.
History
HERITAGE
Local communities change over time
HISTORICAL THINKING AND SKILLS
Primary and secondary sources can be used to show change over time.
Events in local history can be shown on timelines organized by years, decades and centuries.
