The purpose of this study is to focus on the importance of social studies topics taught in the primary classroom. I will examine the main social studies and historical topics teachers focus on under the framework of the Ohio Common Core State Standards (OCCSS). I will also examine a local school district’s primary social studies curriculum and interview a primary and high school teacher for their thoughts on the benefits of teaching social studies in the classroom, and what topics they think are the most important to cover for their students’ education and success in the higher grades and in the real world. This study will cover defining social studies, defending the many benefits of teaching social studies to primary-grade students, the history and formal adoption of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), the history and formal adoption of the OCCSS, the main goals of the CCSS, the four social studies strands (history, economics, geography, and government) and what they entail, a brief overview of Norton City School district’s demographics and social studies curriculum and standards, an interview with a primary and high school teacher regarding the importance and benefits of social studies in the classroom, and a reflection on their replies, and some concluding thoughts
