Elementary Social Studies at NNPS
K-5 Social Studies Instruction
The NNPS History and Social Studies curriculum utilizes evidence based instructional practices aligned with the Virginia Department of Education.
Click the icons below to learn more about our curriculum, instruction, and assessments.
Curriculum
The NNPS Elementary history and social science curriculum is organized around the following goals that guide instruction and assessment for our students to develop as analytical thinkers in history, geography, civics, and economics to prepare students for informed participation in shaping the nation’s and the world’s future.
The History and Social Studies curriculum has a thematic progression for learning about our natural world:
- Kindergarten - Community
- 1st Grade - Commonwealth of Virginia
- 2nd Grade -United States of America
- 3rd Grade - The World
- 4th Grade - Virginia Studies
The links below are grade-specific curriculum storyboards that provide all stakeholders (teachers, families, and community members) an overview of the grade-level subjects and tell an engaging story of the learning students will engage in.
Instruction
High-Quality Instructional Materials
The Virginia Literacy Act requires each school division to provide evidence-based literacy instruction aligned with science-based reading research using approved high-quality instructional materials. NNPS has adopted the following core and supplemental instructional materials to meet this requirement:
Core Instruction
Virginia Department of Education
Daily lessons and investigations support students towards mastery of the grade level History and Social Science Standards of Learning (SOL) outlined by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).
Supplemental Instruction
Discovery Education
In kindergarten through fifth grade, teachers have access to the Discovery Education Network of educational resources aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning.
Studies Weekly: Virginia Studies
Students in grade 4 have access to printed and online features with Studies Weekly, Virginia Studies. This resource allows students to expand their understanding of the history of Virginia and dive deeper into primary and secondary sources. Studies Weekly, Virginia Studies is aligned with the 2023 Virginia History and Social Studies Standards of learning.
Assessment
NNPS utilizes a balanced assessment model in order to collect data to set student goals and determine specific and targeted next steps to accelerate learning. Each grade-level model includes state approved diagnostic and summative assessments.
- End of Unit Assessments
- Problem Based Assessments
- Formative Assessments throughout the unit of study
- End of Unit Assessments
- End of Quarter Assessments
- Performance Based Assessment
- Formative Assessments throughout the unit of study
