Skip to main content Skip to utility navigation Skip to main navigation Skip to menu Skip to footer
Smiling man helps a young girl with her backpack as a woman and boy stand nearby at the door.
Social Studies Alive!

My School and Family

Two worlds shape a young student's life: school and family. Students explore both up close, learning how rules, roles, and responsibilities help a community work and how they connect to the wider world.

Not part of the all states program list

Choose a different state above, or browse every program in Elementary

What Students Will Explore

Unit 1

Civics

Learn how to get along with others at school, be a good helper, follow the rules at school and home, as well as the laws in the community, and identify important documents and symbols of the United States.

Unit 2

Economics

Learn about goods and services and the jobs that people have making goods and providing services. Identify needs and wants and how we use money earned from jobs to purchase them. Practice making choices based on limited resources such as money, time, and goods.

Unit 3

Geography

Learn about the parts of maps, how they can be used to find and describe places, and about the geography, resources, and landforms found in different areas that affect how people live.

Unit 4

History

Learn how primary sources help us understand the past and distinguish fact from fiction. Compare life long ago with life today, identify national holidays, and create timelines of personal and historical events.

Explore the Program

How Do We Get Along in School?

Two children sit at a table, working together on a colorful world map puzzle in a classroom. LESSON

In this lesson, students explore cooperative behaviors with the "Two on a Task" game, a song, videos, and acting out ways to get along.

Experience the Lesson

  • View the Scope and Sequence

    See every unit and lesson at a glance — compelling questions, objectives, and how content builds across History, Geography, Civics, and Economics.

    View the Scope and Sequence

  • Review Correlations

    See exactly how the program aligns to your state standards.

    Review the Correlations
See TCI in action

Request Sample

Request access to digital samples of the student and teacher materials.

One Program. Every Resource You Need.

From an interactive digital platform to hands-on print materials and teacher tools, see everything included to help you teach and your students learn.
A laptop displays educational materials with worksheets, a teachers guide, and an image of an igloo.

Student Materials

  • A man helps a smiling girl with her backpack while a woman and boy stand nearby at a school entrance.

    Student Journal

    The colorful, easy-to-use, print consumable Student Journal combines standards-based content and rich activities to support student learning. Students will make personal connections that allow them to develop a deep understanding of key social studies content while building critical social studies and ELA skills. Also available in Spanish.

  • Book cover titled Social Studies Stories with diverse people in circular photo frames on an orange background.

    Social Studies Stories

    The Social Studies Stories collection contains short, high-interest readings from four different disciplines — Geography, History, Economics, and Civics — to further engage and deepen students' understanding of content. Also available in Spanish.

Teacher Materials

  • Smiling adult and two children with backpacks greeting each other by a doorway; Social Studies Alive! book cover.

    Teacher's Guide

    Teacher's Guide supports everything from lesson planning to grading — step-by-step procedures, time estimates, differentiation strategies, and answer keys, ready to use offline or as a quick reference while teaching. Also available in Spanish.

  • Orange cover of Social Studies Alive! My School and Family Activity Cards, third edition, with a small classroom photo.

    Activity Cards

    The Activity Cards are laminated, reusable cards that contain vibrant, interactive content for students. The cards include large maps, game boards, and manipulatives that can be cut out and be reused year after year. Also available in Spanish.

Reviews & Recognition

At TCI, we don't just say our programs work — we invite independent reviewers to put them to the test. Our social studies and science programs are reviewed by respected third-party organizations that analyze our resources for quality, effectiveness, and alignment with standards.

In addition to national recognition, our programs are reviewed and approved by individual states to ensure they meet specific requirements and standards. We also participate in landscape analyses that compare our offerings with those of other leading programs, so educators and districts can make informed choices.

Explore Reviews
A magnifying glass over a digital test builder screen, highlighting a text box labeled Question Info..

Ready to Bring TCI to Your District?

Whether you're exploring programs, preparing for an adoption, or ready to get a quote — our team is here to help.

Connect with a TCI Expert