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History and Social Science Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools

K–12 Standards

Grade 2
Other Virginia History and Social Science sets
Kindergarten
Grade 1
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
Grade 9
Grade 10
Grade 11
Grade 12

Skills

2
The student will apply history and social science skills to the content byS.2
1. a
  viewing and exploring information sources, including, but not limited to artifacts, primary and secondary sources, charts, graphs, and diagramsS.2.a
2. b
  applying geographic skills to identify and understand geographic features and connectionsS.2.b
3. c
  demonstrating curiosity and critical thinking through questioning and drawing conclusionsS.2.c
4. d
  sequencing and organizing informationS.2.d
5. e
  identifying similarities and differences to clarify and explain contentS.2.e
6. f
  recognizing cause-and-effect relationshipsS.2.f
7. g
  using economic decision-making models to make informed economic decisionsS.2.g
8. h
  practicing civility, respect, hard work, honesty, trustworthiness, and responsible citizenship skillsS.2.h
9. i
  using content vocabulary to demonstrate comprehensionS.2.i

Civics

1
The student will apply history and social science skills to distinguish between the rights and responsibilities that individuals have in the United States, including, but not limited to2.1
1. a
  exercising freedom of expression2.1.a
2. b
  exercising freedom of religion2.1.b
3. c
  understanding equal protection2.1.c
4. d
  voting for local, state, and national representatives2.1.d
5. e
  respecting and following laws2.1.e
6. f
  practicing honesty and trustworthiness2.1.f
7. g
  respecting the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others2.1.g
2
The student will apply history and social science skills to understand citizenship by2.2
1. a
  identifying the benefits of being an American citizen2.2.a
2. b
  identifying the responsibilities of being an American citizen2.2.b
3
The student will apply history and social science skills to explain how communities honor local and national traditions and recognize designated Virginia holidays, including but not limited to2.3
1. a
  Labor Day2.3.a
2. b
  Columbus Day (Yorktown Victory Day)2.3.b
3. c
  Election Day2.3.c
4. d
  Veterans Day2.3.d
5. e
  Thanksgiving Day;2.3.e
6. f
  Christmas Day2.3.f
7. g
  New Year’s Day2.3.g
8. h
  Martin Luther King, Jr. Day2.3.h
9. i
  George Washington Day (commonly known as Presidents’ Day)2.3.i
10. j
  Memorial Day2.3.j
11. k
  Juneteenth2.3.k
12. l
  Independence Day2.3.l
4
The student will apply history and social science skills to recognize state and national symbols, including, but not limited to2.4
1. a
  locating the Virginia and United States capitals and Capitol buildings2.4.a
2. b.
  explaining the meaning behind symbols, including, but not limited to the American flag, bald eagle, Washington Monument, Liberty Bell, and Statue of Liberty2.4.b
3. c
  learning about the meaning of the American flag and the words chosen in the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem2.4.c

History

5
The student will use history and social science skills to identify the geographic location, use of resources, and contributions of Indigenous peoples past and present, including2.5
1. a
  Indigenous nations and tribes of the Eastern Woodlands2.5.a
2. b
  Indigenous nations and tribes of the Plains2.5.b
3. c
  Indigenous nations and tribes of the Southwest2.5.c
4. d
  understanding Tribal Sovereignty, including but not limited to the importance of land, history, and culture2.5.d
6
The student will use history and social science skills to identify the geographic location, use of resources, and contributions of European explorers, and their influence on the development of North America, including, but not limited to the English, French, and Spanish2.6
7
The student will apply history and social science skills to describe the revolutionaries who fought for America’s freedom (1764–1781), including, but not limited to2.7
1. a
  John Adams2.7.a
2. b
  Benjamin Franklin2.7.b
3. c
  Alexander Hamilton2.7.c
4. d
  Patrick Henry2.7.d
5. e
  Thomas Jefferson2.7.e
6. f
  James Madison (“Father of the Constitution”)2.7.f
7. g
  Paul Revere2.7.g
8. h
  George Washington (“Father of our Country”)2.7.h
8
The student will apply history and social science skills to understand the principles of American democracy and relate them to the founding of the nation by2.8
1. b
  explaining the relationships between the colonies and Great Britain2.8.b
2. a
  identifying reasons for the settlement of the thirteen colonies2.8.a
3. c
  identifying key components of the Declaration of Independence2.8.c
9
The student will apply history and social science skills to understand key events in United States history including, but not limited to2.9
1. a
  recognizing the reasons for moving the nation’s capital from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., and the importance of the nation’s capital2.9.a
2. b
  describing the impact of the Louisiana Purchase on the westward expansion of the United States2.9.b
10
The student will describe the contributions and roles of changemakers in United States history, including, but not limited to2.10
1. a
  Scholars and Inventors: Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Banneker, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington Carver, Booker T. Washington, Orville and Wilbur Wright, Steve Jobs, Jonas Salk, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, and Mary Jackson2.10.a
2. c
  Reformers and Champions: Abraham Lincoln, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, Helen Keller, Thurgood Marshall, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, Cesar Chavez, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Sen. Daniel Inouye, John F. Kennedy, and Barack Obama2.10.c
3. b
  Explorers and Adventurers: Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and Sacagawea, Neil Armstrong, Amelia Earhart2.10.b

Geography

11
The student will apply history and social science skills to develop geographic mapping skills using world maps and globes by2.11
1. a
  locating the countries of North America and the bordering oceans2.11.a
2. b
  identifying major rivers, mountain ranges, lakes, and other physical features in the United States2.11.b
12
The student will apply history and social science skills to connect geography to landmarks and historic events, including, but not limited to2.12
1. a
  Jefferson Memorial and Lincoln Memorial2.12.a
2. b
  Valley Forge and George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River2.12.b
3. c
  Yellowstone National Park2.12.c

Economics

13
The student will apply history and social science skills to understand basic economic principles by2.13
1. a
  identifying natural resources (e.g., water, soil, wood, coal), human resources (i.e., people at work), and capital resources (e.g., machines, tools, computers, buildings)2.13.a
2. b
  distinguishing between needs and wants2.13.b
3. c
  distinguishing between the use of barter and the use of money in the exchange for goods and services and describing how money makes trading easier than barter2.13.c
4. d
  explaining that scarcity (limited resources) requires people to make choices about producing and consuming goods and services2.13.d

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?: Grade 2
Where can I read the official document?: History and Social Science Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools

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