Social Studies Vocabulary Getting Ready for Social Studies Kristine Mullins Grade 3

social science the branch of science that studies society and the relationships of the individual within a society

history  chronological record of significant events (as affecting a nation or institution) often including an explanation of their cause

geography  study of the earth's surface; includes people's responses to topography and climate and soil and vegetation

civics  a social science

government  the act or process of governing, especially the control and administration of public policy in a political unit.  The office, function, or authority of a governing individual or body.

economics  the branch of social science that deals with the production and distribution and consumption of goods and services and their management

primary sources  Material from, or directly related to, the past. In History, primary sources are usually letters, records or other documents created during the period that is being studied, such as diaries, legal notices or accounts. However, primary sources can include photographs, jewelry and other items.

secondary sources  a secondary source of information is one that was created later by someone who did not experience first-hand or participate in the events or conditions you’re researching. For the purposes of a historical research project, secondary sources are generally scholarly books and articles. Also included would be reference sources like encyclopedias.

artifacts  something created by humans usually for a practical purpose; especially : an object remaining from a particular period

photographs  An image, especially a positive print, recorded by a camera and reproduced on a photosensitive surface

paintings  graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface

Maps A representation, usually on a plane surface, of a region of the earth

images  an artifact, for example a two-dimensional picture, that has a similar appearance to some subject--usually a physical object or a person

documents  writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

audio and video recordings  sound recording: a recording of acoustic signals  a recording of both the visual and audible components (especially one containing a recording of a movie or television program)