Elementary Social Studies Curriculum

Seven (7) Themes Explained

The Elementary Social Studies Curriculum in the Philippine Basic Education is divided into 2 key stages,
namely the Key Stage 1 (Araling Panlipunan 14Araling Panlipunan 3) and Key Stage 2 (Araling Panlipunan
44 Araling Panlipunan 6). Each key stage has a corresponding standard addressing vital competencies
needed to be achieved.

Key Stage 1 Standard

K-3

Naipamamalas ang panimulang pag-unawa at pagpapahalaga sa sarili, pamilya, paaralan, at komunidad,

at sa mga batayang konsepto ng pagpapatuloy at pagbabago, distansya at direksyon gamit ang mga
kasanayan tungo sa malalim na pag-unawa tungkol sa sarili at kapaligirang pisikal at sosyo-kultural,
bilang kasapi ng sariling komunidad at ng mas malawak na lipunan.

The above image is the key stage standard for Kindergarten to Grade 3. Here, the standard is articulated
in the vernacular since the medium of instruction used in teaching Araling Panlipunan is Filipino. Experts
and educators believe that the use of Filipino is imperative if one is to examine and eventually
understand the historical narrative and cultural identity of an evolving nation. It is clearly stipulated that
Filipino learners in key stage 1 are expected to demonstrate basic understanding and values of self,
family, school and community including fundamental concepts on continuity, change, distance, and
direction, employing significant and related skills toward the attainment of an in-depth understanding of
one9s self in the context of his physical and socio-cultural environment while being a member of a
community and a bigger society.

This standard is simplified in the Grade Level Standards, as shown below;

Baitang. Pamantayan sa Pagkatuto

Naipamamalas ang panimulang pag-unawa at pagpapahalaga sa sarili at pakikipag-

ugnayan sa kapwa bilang pundasyon sa paglinang ng kamalayan sa kapaligirang
sosyal
As early as Kindergarten, leamers are expected to demonstrate a basic understanding of one9s self and
of others being the foundation of social consciousness development On the other hand, Grade pupils
are required to demonstrate an understanding of self as a member of the family and the school who
values physical environment, employing concepts on continuity, change, distance and direction in
establishing personal and cultural identity.

BAITANG 1

Pamantayang Pagkatuto Naipamamalas ang kamalayan, pag-unawa sa sarili hilang Pilipino at kasapi ng
pamilya at paaralan at pagpapahalaga sa kapaligirang pisikal gamit ang konsepto ng pagpapatuloy at
pagbabago, interaksyon, distansya at direksyon tungo sa pagkakakilanlan bilang indibidwal at kasapi ng
komunidad.

In order for learners to attain the desired goal, students in Grade learn experiences and opportunities
designed for them to communicate basic personal information such as name, parents, birthday, age,
address, school and other relevant data Moreover, learning content includes Understanding Myself, The
Story of Myself, Valuing Oneself, Knowing the Members of My Family, The Story of My Family,
Responsibilities in My Family, Valuing My Family, Knowing My School, The Story of My School, Valuing
My School, Me and My Home, Me and School, and Valuing the Environment

BAITANG 2

Pamantay ang Pagkatuto Naipamamalas ang kamalayan, pag-unawa at pagpapahalaga sa kasalukuyan at

nakaraan ng kinabibilangang komunidad, gamit ang konsepto ng pagpapatuloy at pagbabago,
interaksyon, pagkakasuno-sunod ng pangyayari, mga simpleng konseptongheograpikal tulad ng lokasyon
at pinagkukunang yaman at bakal ng yamang lahi, at konsepto ng mga saksi ng kasaysayan tulad ng
tradisyong oral at mga bakas ng kasaysayan

The image above shows that Grade 2 Social Studies intends learners to demonstrate awareness,
understanding and appreciation toward the community9s history using relevant concepts on continuity
and change, power and authority, leadership and responsibility, needs and wants, identity, geography,
and primary historical resources like oral traditions, artifacts, and relics. This grade level standard is seen
in the learning content that includes: Knowing My Community. The Story of My Community, The Culture
of My Community. The Livelihood in My Community. Leadership and Services in My Community, and My
Responsibility in My Community

BAITANG 3
Pamantayang Pagkatuto Naipamamalas ang malawak na pag-unawa at pagpapahalaga ng mga
komunidad ng Pilipinas bilang bahagi ng mga lalawigan at rehiyon ng bansa batay sa (a) katangiang
pisikal, (b) kultura, (c) kabuhayan, at (d) pulitikal, gamit ang konsepto ng pagpapatuloy at pagbabago,
interaksyon ng tao at kapaligirang pisikal a sosyal

In the same vein, Grade 3 learners are expected to demonstrate broad understanding of Philippine
communities as part of provinces and regions based on its hio-geographical features, socio-cultural
attributes, livelihood, and political institutions using concepts of continuity and change, and human-
environmental interactions

This standard is manifested in the following content-focus The Location of My Province, Geographical
Basis and Instruments, The Stories of My Region, Valuing the Heroes, Historical Places, and Symbols of
My Region, The Rich Culture of My Province, Valuing the Cultural Identity of My Region, and The
Economies of the Provinces in My Region

4-6

Naipamamalas ang mga kakayahan bilang batang produktibo, mapanagutan at makabansang

mamamayang Pilipino gamit ang kasanayan sa pagsasaliksik, pagsisiyasat, mapanuring pag-isip,
matalinong pagpapasya, pagkamalikhain, pakikipagkapwa, likas- kayang paggamit ng pinagkukunang
yaman pakikipagtalastasan at pag-unawa sa mga batayang konsepto ng heograpiya, kasaysayan,
ekonomiya, pamamahala, sibika at kultura tungo sa pagpapanday ng maunlad ng kinabukasan para sa
bansa

The Key Stage 2 standard highlights learners productivity in bemg a member of Philippine society.
Specifically, this stage intends learners to demonstrate knowledge and skills as a productive,
responsible, and patriotic Filipino, employing skills such as critical thinking, sound decision-making,
creativity, sustainable use of resources, and effective communication, among others, toward national
development This standard is unpacked in each grade level where specific skills and content-focus are
specified

BAITANG 4
Pamantayang Pagkatuto Naipamamalaki ang pagka-Pilipino at ang bansang Pilipinas na may
pagpapahalaga sa pagkakaiba-iba ng mga kulturang Pilipino batay sa paggamit ng mga kasanayan sa
heograpiya, pag-unawa sa kultura at kabuhayan, pakikilahok sa pamamahala at pagpapahalaga sa mga
inihain ng bansang Pilipinas

As gleaned above, the Grade 4 standard envisions learners to develop national pride in bang a Filipino
who values cultural diversities and national goals. This could be achieved using the following contents:
Knowing the Philippines, The Philippine Location, The Philippine Geographical Features, The Philippine
Natural Resources and Its Industries, Philippine Cultural Identities. The Philippine National Government.
The Government and his Social Services, and Rights and Responsibilities of Filipino Citizens.

BAITANG 5

Pamantayang Pagkatuto Naipamamalas ang pag-unawa at pagpapahalaga sa pagkakabuong kapuluan ng

Pilipinas at mga sinaunang lipunan hanggang sa malalaking pagbabagong pang-ekonomiya at ang
implikasyon nito sa lipunan sa simula ng ika-lahing siyam na siglo, gamit ang batayang konsepto tulad ng
kahalagahang pangkasaysayan (historical significance), pagpapatuloy at pagbabago, ugnayang sarili at
epekto tungo sa paglinang ng isang batang mamamayang mapanuri, mapagnuni, responsible,
produktibo, makakalikasan, makatao at makabansa at may pagpapahalaga sa mga usapin sa lipunan sa
nakaraan at kasalukuyan tungo sa pagpanday ng maunlad na kinabukasan para sa bansa.

Moreover, Grade 5 Araling Panlipunan requires learners to manifest understanding and appreciation of
the formation of the Philippine archipelago, including the development of Philippine civilization until the
19 century.

Its content examines the following Emergence of Philippine Civilization, Ancient Philippine Culture and
Society, Spanish Colonization, Policies and Impacts of Spanish Colonization, The Transformation of
Philippine Society, and The Development of Filipino Nationalism.

BAITANG 6

Pamantayang Pagkatuto: Naipamamalas ang patuloy na pag-unawa pagpapahalaga sa kasanayan ng

Pilipinas mula sa ika-20 sigo hanggang sa kasalukuyan, tungo sa pagbuo ng tiyak na pagkakakilanlan
bilang Pilipino at mamamayan ng Pilipinas. Naipamamalas ang malalim na pag-unawa sa kasaysayan ng
Pilipinas base sa pagsusuri ng sipi ng mga pining primarying sangguniang nakasulat, pasalita, awdo-
biswal at kumbinasyon ng mga ito, mula sa iba-ibang panahon, tungo sa pagbuo ng makabansang
kaisipan na siyang magsilbing basehan ng mas malawak na pananaw tungkol sa mundo.
Finally, Araling Panlipunan Grade 6 intends that Filipino leamers demonstrate understanding and
appreciation of the nation9s history from the 20th century until the contemporary period toward the
development of Filipino identity and nationhood The following content-focus ensures the development
of the sad standard Propaganda and Independence Movement, The Emergence and Struggles of the
Philippine Republic, The Filipino-American War, American Colonization, American Policies and Their
Impact. The Commonwealth Period, The Japanese Occupation. The Philippine Independence. The
Philippines After World War II, The Third Republic, The Declaration of Martial Law, EDS People Power.
and The Fifth Republic

This curriculum content of elementary Social Studies expects leamers to develop the desired leaming
attributes of a civic competent and nationalist citizens of the country

The Philippine National Government

The Philippines is governed as a unitary state under a presidential representative and democratic
constitutional republic in which the president functions as both the head of state and the head of
government of the country within a pluriform multi-party system.

The Philippines is a republic with a presidential form of government wherein power is equally divided
among its three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.

One basic corollary in a presidential system of government is the principle of separation of powers
wherein legislation belongs to Congress, execution to the Executive, and settlement of legal
controversies to the Judiciary.

Legislative

The Legislative branch is authorized to make laws, alter, and repeal them through the power vested in
the Philippine Congress. This institution is divided into the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Executive
The Executive branch is composed of the President and the Vice President who are elected by direct
popular vote and serve a term of six years. The Constitution grants the President authority to appoint his
Cabinet. These departments form a large portion of the country’s bureaucracy.

Judiciary

The Judicial branch holds the power to settle controversies involving rights that are legally demandable
and enforceable. This branch determines whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion
amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part and instrumentality of the government. It is made
up of a Supreme Court and lower courts.

The Constitution expressly grants the Supreme Court the power of Judicial Review as the power to
declare a treaty, international or executive agreement, law, presidential decree, proclamation, order,
instruction, ordinance or regulation unconstitutional.

Rights, Privileges and Responsibilities of a Citizen

There are basically two types of people living within the jurisdiction of the Republic of the Philippines:

(1) Citizens; and

(2) Aliens.

Aliens

People who live within the territory of the Philippines but "owe permanent allegiance to a foreign
country".

They are not entitled to vote or run for elections. They have limited business capabilities, and

They cannot engage in professions like law and medicine, among other restrictions.

But the State provides them protection by extending the civil right guaranteed by the Constitution,
provided that they also obey the laws of the land and pay taxes (Ramirez 1969)

The Government and its Social Services

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is the primary government agency
mandated to develop, implement, and coordinate social protection and poverty reduction solutions for
and with the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged.
 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
 KALAHI-CIDSS (Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan - Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social
Services
 Listahanan (National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction)
 Sustainable Livelihood Program Supplementary Feed Program
 Social Pension Program