Overview Link to this section
Students in SFUSD engage in daily social studies instruction through three, 5-7 week stand alone units from InquirED's Inquiry Journeys for each grade level These units alternate with Science instruction during the year. Our team is also committed to providing ongoing supplemental social studies resources to teachers across K-5, including virtual libraries, links to field trips and more. Link to this section
Social Studies instruction prioritizes building a strong foundation in community and the understanding that every community member (citizen) has a voice in the ways our communities function and are built. We explore history/social studies as windows to the past and present while working together to intentionally build a classroom community rooted in the SFUSD Humanizing Values. Link to this section
Social Studies Instructional Priorities (scroll left to right)
Link to this section
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Culturally Responsive Education
“Culturally responsive teaching is about helping culturally and linguistically diverse students build their skill and capacity to do rigorous work.” —Zaretta Hammond
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Inquiry
Students engage in authentic cycles of inquiry: developing questions & planning inquiry, applying disciplinary tools & concepts, evaluating sources & using evidence, and communicating conclusions & taking informed action.
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Taking Informed Action
Students take action in their community based on the information they have gathered throughout their inquiry.
Current Events Link to this section
Inquiry Journeys Link to this section
Do you want to teach Social Studies, but don't know where to start? Find everything you need to start using Inquiry Journeys our SFUSD adopted curriculum to begin teaching Social Studies in your classroom today. Here you will find everything from sample pacing guides to virtual read aloud libraries that are tied to the curriculum. You can also look here to find professional development resources tied to Inquiry Journeys
Get Started with Inquiry Journeys Link to this section
Sample Pacing Guides - How to fit Social Studies into your instruction
Link to this section
The factors that impact pacing vary from school to school. They include expectations for instructional minutes, sharing minutes with another subject (science), flexibility in daily schedules, reporting deadlines, and site specific events and specials.
How much time do I need to teach Inquiry Journeys? In a typical 180-day school year, you can expect to spend 30-60 instructional days per unit, depending on whether social studies is taught daily or alternates with another subject. Lessons are designed for 45 minutes, with shorter 30-minute lessons for kindergarten.
We offer you a choice of 4 different pacing schedules to use as you as planning tools to help you think about how Social Studies may look at your school. We strongly suggest that at minimum there is continuity across a grade level in the choice of pacing (If there are 3 classrooms at a grade - all 3 choose the same pacing guide to use for the year), Once you open the pacing guide of your choice you can find your specific grade level by clicking the corresponding tab at the bottom of the sheet to see the specific Inquiry Units and lessons for your grade level.
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Alternating Schedule by Unit
Many schools alternate social studies with other subjects, often science, on a unit-by-unit basis to make the most of limited instructional time. This pacing guide offers a breakdown of lessons using Inquiry Journeys to help leaders and teachers gauge how much time is needed per lesson and unit. Remember that lessons are 45 minutes on average, except Kindergarten where they are usually 30 minutes.
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Alternating Schedule by Week
Many schools alternate social studies with other subjects, often science, on a weekly basis to make the most of limited instructional time. This pacing guide offers a weekly breakdown of lessons using Inquiry Journeys to help leaders and teachers gauge how much time is needed per lesson and unit. Remember that lessons are 45 minutes on average, except Kindergarten where they are usually 30 minutes.
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Alternating Schedule by Day Tues/Thurs (2 days a week)
Some schools alternate social studies with other subjects, often science, on a daily basis to make the most of limited instructional time. This pacing guide offers a daily breakdown of lessons on a 2-day a week schedule (Tues/Thurs) schedule using Inquiry Journeys to help leaders and teachers gauge how much time is needed per lesson and unit. Remember that lessons are 45 minutes on average, except Kindergarten where they are usually 30 minutes.
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Alternating Schedule by Day M/W/F (3 days a week)
Some schools alternate social studies with other subjects, often science, on a daily basis to make the most of limited instructional time. This pacing guide offers a daily breakdown of lessons on a 3 day a week schedule (M/W/F) using Inquiry Journeys to help leaders and teachers gauge how much time is needed per lesson and unit. Remember that lessons are 45 minutes on average, except Kindergarten where they are usually 30 minutes.
Inquiry Journey Virtual Libraries by Grade Level (K-3)
Link to this section
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Kindergarten Inquiry Journeys Virtual Library
This library includes the read aloud books that are used in conjunction with specific lessons from the Kindergarten Inquiry Journeys Units. Please use this as an additional resource as necessary. Whenever possible videos that show the actual text were chosen so that teachers could mute the audio and read directly from the screen. Translated books were included if possible. NOTE: YouTube now send you to a black screen that requires you to click Watch on You Tube before proceeding to video.
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1st Grade Inquiry Journeys Library
This library includes the read aloud books that are used in conjunction with specific lessons from the 1st grade Inquiry Journeys Units. Videos of translated Read Aloud Titles are included when available. Please use this as an additional resource as necessary. Whenever possible videos that show the actual text were chosen so that teachers could mute the audio and read directly from the screen.
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2nd Grade Inquiry Journeys Library
This library includes the read aloud books that are used in conjunction with specific lessons from the 2nd grade Inquiry Journeys Units. Please use this as an additional resource as necessary. Whenever possible videos that show the actual text were chosen so that teachers could mute the audio and read directly from the screen.
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3rd Grade Inquiry Journeys Library
This library includes the read aloud books that are used in conjunction with specific lessons from the 3rd grade Inquiry Journeys Units. Please use this as an additional resource as necessary. Whenever possible videos that show the actual text were chosen so that teachers could mute the audio and read directly from the screen.
InquirED: Inquiry Journeys Resources
Link to this section
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InquirED: Inquiry Hub
The place to find the resources, support and professional learning to help you teach InquirED Inquiry Journeys and get more Social Studies instruction going in your classroom.
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Self- Paced Courses
This section offers self-paced professional development. You can use this as part of your QTEA hours. Sessions include Differentiation, Taking Informed Action, Culturally Responsive Education in Social Studies and much more. These sessions can be broken into parts and do not need to be completed in one sitting.
Highlights from the Classroom
Link to this section
This section will focus on Social Studies work being done in the field in classrooms across our district. It will highlight student work, school events and classroom projects that show Informed Action and Civic Engagement in many forms. Thank you to the teachers that are willing to share thir work. If you would like to submit work from your class, please email romerom@sfusd.edu and make sure any information/images that can identify students is obscured or removed.
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Fourth and fifth graders at Garfield Elementary recently explored the complex history of early American immigration. Students analyzed the pushes and pulls that led people to migrate to the Americas, then took a closer look at the founding of the Jamestown and Plymouth colonies. Through discussion and critical thinking, they evaluated whether each colony’s story was defined more by cooperation or conflict. To share their learning, students worked collaboratively in pairs to create infographic posters that highlighted their conclusions. Thank you to Dorothy Phillips for sharing.
Additional Social Studies Resources Link to this section
This section provides additional materials that help students to connect their learning in the classroom to their personal identities and to the greater San Francisco Bay Area community at large. There are Virtual Cultural Libraries and Cultural Resource Guides as well as in-person and virtual field trip links. These resources can and should be used throughout the year to enhance the Social Studies curriculum being taught in the classroom.
Virtual Libraries
Link to this section
**Remember, you should always preview the books in these libraries to make sure that they are appropriate for your grade level and students. These books often span PK-5 and should not be used in isolation, but as part of a larger set of lessons for the best impact.
NOTE: YouTube now send you to a black screen that requires you to click Watch on You Tube before proceeding to video.
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Back to School Virtual Library
Here is a collection of books to use at the beginning of the year or anytime you want to do some community and identity building in class. Please preview titles and links before using in the classroom and use at your own professional discretion.
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Latinx Virtual Library
Titles taken from the Latinx Heritage Guide to use for read-alouds throughout the year.
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Latiné American Bookshelf
A virtual library that features Latiné authors and characters that can be used throughout the year
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Filipinx American Bookshelf
Here is a collection of read alouds that have been compiled for Filipinx Heritage Month, but could be used throughout the year. This bookshelf is based on the books recommended in the SFUSD Filipinx Heritage Guide.
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Diwali Read Aloud Library
Here are some read alouds and links to help you teach about Diwali in your classrooms. They can be used now and throughout the year as we discuss holidays, traditions, cultures, and families.
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Diwali Bitmoji Classroom
Diwali Bitmoji Classroom submitted and compiled by Ekta Kumbhani (1st grade teacher @ Grattan)
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Dia de los Muertos Bookshelf
Here is a collection of read alouds that have been compiled for Día de los Muertos, but could be used anytime during the year to discuss holidays.
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American Indian Heritage Virtual Library
Here is a library that can be used for Native American History month, but should be used throughout the year. These books have been recommended by the SFUSD American Indian Resource Guide and the American Indians in Children’s Literature List.
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Inclusion Library Bookshelf
Here is a collection of read alouds that have been compiled for SFUSD Inclusion Week, but could be used throughout the year. This bookshelf is based on the books recommended in the SFUSD Inclusion Resource Guide.
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MLK, Jr. Read Aloud Library
Here is a collection of read alouds that have been compiled to remember Martin Luther King, Jr., but could/should be used throughout the year.
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Lunar New Year Library
Here is a collection of read alouds that have been compiled for Lunar New Year, but could be used throughout the year. We have tried to attach bilingual versions when available. Please feel free to email me if you know of other bilingual books or video read alouds to include at romerom@sfusd.edu
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Unsung Black Changemakers and Innovators
Here is a collection of read alouds that have been compiled to celebrate unsung Black changemakers and innovators. Many of the people in this collection faced racism, sexism and ableism, but insisted on making change and following their truth. This library can be used throughout the year and in many different contexts (inclusion, women's history, perserverance, growth mindset...etc.)
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Black History Month Virtual Library compiled by Tamara Fields
Here is a collection of read alouds that have been compiled for Black History Month by Tamara Fields from Sherman Elementary, but can be used throughout the school year
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Women's History Virtual Library
This is a collection of read alouds that have been compiled for Women's History Month, but could be used throughout the year.
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LGBTQ+ Pride Bookshelf
Here is a collection of read alouds that have been compiled for LGBTQIA+ Month, but could be used throughout the year.
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Holi Bitmoji Classroom
Holi Bitmoji Classroom submitted and compiled by Ekta Kumbhani (1st grade teacher @ Grattan)
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Jewish American Heritage Bookshelf
This is a collection of read alouds that have been put together for Jewish American Heritage Month, but can used throughout the year.
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Arab American Heritage Bookshelf
This is a collection of read alouds that have been compiled for Arab American Heritage Month, but could be used throughout the year.
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Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Virtual Library
This is a collection of read alouds that have been compiled for AANHPI Month, but could be used throughout the year.
Links to SFUSD Cultural Resource Guides (scroll left to right)
Link to this section
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SFUSD Inclusion Resource Guide
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SFUSD Black History Resource Guide
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SFUSD Elementary Pride Resource Page
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SFUSD Asian American & Pacific Islander Resource Guide
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SFUSD Latinx Heritage Month Resource Guide
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SFUSD Filipinx History Resource Guide
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SFUSD American Indian Resource Guide
This guide has beed updated and presented by our Indian Education Program to provide resources for educators to use throughout the year
Field Trip Sites (Virtual and In-Person) (scroll left to right)
Link to this section
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San Francisco Fine Arts Museums
We are currently accepting interest forms for the Get Smart with Art for the 2025/26 school year. Please submit an interest using this form.
This is not an application for the upcoming year; this form is only to gauge interest for the the upcoming year
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San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Guided tours at the museum are available for grades 3-12. Self-guided visits are available for grades K-12.
Be sure to check our Teacher Resources page for art projects, artist-designed activities, videos, animations, and discussion questions.
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Oakland Museum of California
OMCA looks forward to greeting you and your students with onsite programs that help students reflect, connect, and contribute to their communities.
Explore the many stories of California and its people, while learning about the natural, artistic, and social forces that affect the state. Come investigate your own role in California’s history and its future.
Whether in OMCA’s Galleries of California Art, History, or Natural Sciences, or one of our special exhibitions, all of our cross-disciplinary programs are rooted in inquiry, dialogue, creative expression, and centering joy and justice.
We
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Museum of the African Diaspora
MoAD celebrates Black cultures, ignites challenging conversations, and inspires learning through the global lens of the African Diaspora. Lesson Plans, Museum Tours, MoAD in the Classroom, Education Resources,
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Tour City Hall
Book a docent tour of City Hall. Tours are available on Fridays at 11:00 or 1:00
p.m. and can be booked by calling 415-554-6139. School tours are free, but
reservations are required.There is also a virtual tour of City Hall available that can be taken before your visit as well.
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Voting System Demonstration
The Department of Elections is offering a Voting System Demonstration. 5th grade students have the opportunity to view a brief presentation on voting rights and then complete and cast a practice ballot into a ballot
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Day in the Court Program
This program is made possible by the Bar Association of San Francisco Justice and Diversity Center and the Barrister's Club. These tours provide an opportunity for students in grades five through eight to visit the civil courthouse, observe hearings and jury trials, and interact with court staff and judges. Students observe the operation of the judicial system. The program also introduces students to the careers that can be found in the judicial system while teaching basic observation, fact-gathering and critical thinking skills.
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Judges in the Classroom
The California Judicial Branch presents Judges in the Classroom. There are lessons that compliment the visit from a judge to discuss in your classroom. Educators in every county in California have access to a "civics pro"--a judge! Present what you'd like on the request form, chances are we'll identify the perfect volunteer for your students in grades K-12!
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California Indian Museum and Cultural Center Virtual Tours (4th grade)
Here you can access virtual tours of the California Indian Museum and Cultural Center exhibits, video lessons and curriculum for their popular Native STEM Makers Program. You will also find curriculum, handouts, and flyers.
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Tongva Experience (4th grade)
The Hermosa Beach Historical Society & Museum presents their virtual Tongva Experience Field Trip. Julia Bogany, a Tribal Council Member and the Cultural Consultant for the Tongva-Gabrielino, the native people of the Hermosa Beach South Bay shares the history, stories, and culture of the Tongva Tribe with our students to help fulfill their California History educational requirement.
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Chumash Indian Museum
Some educational resources and activities for you to learn about the expansive Chumash culture.
Recommendation: Click on everything. There are lessons that integrate Social Studies and Science (5th Grade Lesson Plan: Shadows of the Sun and a Chumash Calendar), There are current stories of Chumash people today (We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Navajo Wedding) and stories about how the next generation is keeping traditions and customs alive today through paddling and tomols.
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Angel Island Grade (4/5th grades, maybe 3rd with a direct call)
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Chinese Historical Society of America
The Chinese Historical Society of America offers educators classroom resources that they can use before, during, or after their visit to the museum.
The curriculum guide attached contains resources related to Chinese American Exclusion/Inclusion or Towards Equality: California’s Chinese American Women
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Museum of the American Indian
IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS IS IN NOVATO AND WILL REQUIRE A BUS AND EXTENDED DAY
Follow the path where ancient wisdom and thriving Indigenous culture guide the way. Every step builds connection, understanding, and respect.
TK-Kindergarten (90 minutes)
- Museum Exhibits Overview
- Village/Kotcha Exploration
- Nature Hike/Scavenger Bingo
- Playscape/Fun on The Great Lawn
1st-5th Grades
90 minutes
- Museum Exhibits Overview
- Village/Kotcha
- ExplorationNature
- Hike/Scavenger HuntCreek Field Study
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Museum of the American Revolution
This site offers virtual tours, virtual exhibits, virtual first person theatrical performances and interactive perspectives and stories about the American Revolution through multiple perspectives.
Partnership and Community Resources (scroll left to right)
Link to this section
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Sesame Workshop: Coming Together
Lots of videos with songs and stories along with deeper discussions that explore race, identity, ethnicity and self-love.
From Sesame Workshop:
Coming Together is a Sesame-wide initiative that helps children grow up with a healthy self-identity and sense of belonging. We’re working to create a world where all children can reach their full potential—and do so in celebration of our diverse world. Our research-based, child-centered resources include the whole family, inviting parents and caregivers, educators, and providers to help children celebrate their own race, ethnicity, and ethnicity and become upstanders for themselves and one another.
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Seesaw Lessons K-2 Community Builders
Here is a link to some Community Builders made by Seesaw for TK-2 Students
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The California Indian History Curriculum Coalition
The California Indian History Curriculum Coalition (CIHCC) is a group of educators, tribal scholars, and native activists who promote the creation, adoption and implementation of California Indian-vetted curricula.
The resources on this page support our commitment to public/private school educators focused on infusing a California Indian voice into the content of what our children learn in school. Please use the Curricula & Lesson Plans provided below, organized by tribal identity.
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3rd/4th Grade California Indian Unit
This unit is written and provided by our partners in the Indian Education Program for 4th grade teachers. However, 3rd grade teachers may want to take a look at it as the focus addresses 3rd grade standards.
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National Museum of the American Indian
Native Knowledge 360° (NK360°) provides educators and students with new perspectives on Native American history and cultures. Most Americans have only been exposed to part of the story, as told from a single perspective through the lenses of popular media and textbooks. NK360° provides educational materials, virtual student programs, and teacher training that incorporate Native narratives, more comprehensive histories, and accurate information to enlighten and inform teaching and learning about Native America. NK360° challenges common assumptions about Native peoples and offers a view that includes not only the past but also the vibrancy of Native peoples and cultures today
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Teaching LGBTQ+ History: Instructional Resources for California Educators, Students, & Families
Lessons that focus on LGBTQ+ history in California and aligned to the current CDE Framework. Most lessons are geared towards 4/5th grades, but there are are 2 lessons that could be used with 1st/2nd.
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California History and Social Studies Project
This site has various lessons with varying degrees of success by grade level, but is a good site to pull primary sources and images.
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PBS: Indigi-Genius
Indigi-Genius is devoted to telling the scientific & cultural impact of Indigenous creations & knowledge of the past and present
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East Bay Parks Ohlone Curriculum With Bay Miwok Content and Introduction To Delta Yokuts
East Bay Regional Park District is pleased to present the 2015 second edition of this third-grade curriculum about local tribal peoples past to present by District Cultural Services Coordinator Beverly R. Ortiz. The curriculum aligns with third grade History-Social Science Content Standards and addresses the following Common Core Standards: reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language. Its Supplemental Resources section includes a list of related fourth and fifth grade social science standards.
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Hayward Area Historical Society: Ohlone Curriculum
Our new updated online Ohlone Curriculum explores ten topic areas about Ohlone peoples past and present. Included is text, images, and videos embedded in a short, seamless slideshow presentation. Each section comes with question and answer worksheets and additional extension activities. Also included is a vocabulary list, pronunciation guide, and additional resources for students and teachers alike. This curriculum has been updated with assistance from consultants with the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe and scholars and is designed to conform with the 3rd and 4th grade History/Social Studies content sta
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Discovery Kits from Hayward Historical Society
Bring local history into your classroom with our interactive Discovery Kits! Each learning kit is supplied with lesson plans, hands-on objects, books, DVDs and clothes (use as display only). Designed to conform with the 3rd and 4th grade History/Social Studies content standards, they are ideal for all elementary-age children. HAHS Discovery Kits are also easily customized to cover the Language Arts, Visual Arts, Science, and Environmental Education Standards. Kits Include: Ohlone Discovery Kit, Pre-Gold Rush California Discovery Kit, Early Settlers Discovery Kit, and Immigration Discovery Kit
Standards and Frameworks (scroll left to right)
Link to this section
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California History-Social Science Framework
This is the latest and most up-to date version of the California Department of Education History-Social Science Framework K-12
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College, Career, & Civic Life for Social Studies State Standards
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California History/Social Science Content Standards
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L4J Social Justice Standards
The Social Justice Standards are a set of anchor standards and age-appropriate learning outcomes divided into four domains—Identity, Diversity, Justice and Action (IDJA). The standards provide a common language and organizational structure: Teachers can use them to guide curriculum development, and administrators can use them to make schools more just, equitable and safe. The standards are leveled for every stage of K–12 education and include school-based scenarios to show what anti-bias attitudes and behavior may look like in the classroom.
Educators can use the Social Justice Standards as the basis for building custom learning plans on tolerance.org. Free registration is required.
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This page was last updated on August 21, 2026