5 Strands of Social Studies
The study of past events, people, and societies.
History
Shows the cardinal directions on a map (north, south, east, and west).
Compass or Compass Rose
Shows us countries, states, and cities, usually with different colors for each place
Political Map
The specific place where something is located on Earth
Location
A government where citizens have a say in their government and can choose their leaders through voting.
Democracy
The study of places and the relationships between people and their environments
Geography
Explains what the symbols and colors on a map mean
Map Key/Legend
shows us what the land looks like, with mountains, rivers, and deserts. These maps often use different colors or shading to show elevation.
Physical Map
Describes the physical and human characteristics that make a location unique. (e.g., a city with a big river and tall buildings).
Place
A government ruled by a king or queen. Power is usually passed down through the royal family.
Monarchy
The study of how people make decisions about money and resources.
Economics
Shows the relationship between a distance on the map and the actual distance in the real world. For example, it might show that one inch on the map equals 100 miles.
Map Scale
focuses on one specific idea or theme
Thematic
How people change and are changed by their surroundings. (e.g., building a dam on a river)
Human-Environment Interaction
A government where a single person, a dictator, has absolute power and control. Dictators often stay in power by force and do not hold free elections.
Dictatorship
The study of how people organize themselves to make decisions and create laws.
Civics and Government
Tells what the map is showing
Title
Describes how people, goods, and ideas travel from one place to another.
Movement
A government run by a religious leader or by religious law.
Theocracy
The study of the shared beliefs, customs, and behaviors of a group of people.
Culture
An area that has common features, such as a shared language or type of government.
Region
No government, no laws, no law enforcement
Anarchy