Social Studies

Benchmark Assessments

Kindergarten

Two Assessments1. Self-Awareness

– Assesses students’ recognition of important aspects about themselves and their families; what makes them special.

– Throughout the year, different students are highlighted as “Student of the Week” and design an “All About Me Poster”.

2. “World-Awareness”– Students write one sentence with an illustration

showing how they can make the world a better place.

• Assessments are scored on a rubric.

First grade

Three assessments:1. Assesses students’ understanding of the roles

within a community• Students write about a time they have helped

someone2. Assesses students’ understanding of families• Students create and share a “My Family is Special”

book3. Assesses student’s understanding of

neighborhoods• Students cooperatively create posters about

“What makes a good neighbor”

Second grade

Three assessments:1. Assesses students’ understanding of

suburban, rural, and urban communities• Students illustrate three communities showing buildings,

transportation, and jobs in each

2. Assesses students’ understanding of careers• Students do basic research on a selected career and design a

report

3. Assesses student’s understanding of citizenship

• Students list ways of getting along with others, helping others, and making the community beautiful

Third grade

Three assessments:1. Assesses students’ understanding of

geographical features• Students design a map for an imaginary island

2. Assesses students’ understanding of America’s ethnic diversity

• Students do basic research on American customs and cultures in comparison to those of another country

3. Assesses student’s understanding of our responsibility to protect the environment

• Students create “Pollution Solution” posters

Fourth grade

Two assessments:1. Assesses students’ understanding

of New Jersey’s government• Students write and illustrate a storybook

about an imaginary proposal becoming a law

2. Assesses students’ understanding of the Northeast region of the US• Students write a friendly letter describing

specific features of the region

Fifth grade

Two assessments:1. Assesses students’ understanding

of New Jersey’s government• Students write and illustrate a storybook

about an imaginary proposal becoming a law

2. Assesses students’ understanding of the Northeast region of the US• Students write a friendly letter describing

specific features of the region

Sixth gradeFour assessments:

1. Assesses students’ understanding of the role of an archeologist

2. Assesses students’ understanding of ancient Egypt

3. Assesses students’ understanding of ancient Greece

4. Assesses students’ understanding of ancient Rome

• Each assessment is an open-ended question, providing practice in writing responses for the NJ ASK.

Seventh gradeFour assessments:

1. Assesses students’ understanding of the Middle Ages

2. Assesses students’ understanding of the birth of Islam and the ancient Arab world

3. Assesses students’ understanding of the Renaissance period and trade

4. Assesses students’ understanding of the impact of historical revolutions and world wars

• This assessment is an open-ended question, providing practice in writing responses for the NJ ASK.

Eighth gradeFour assessments:

1. Assesses students’ understanding exploration and colonization of America

2. Assesses students’ understanding of the events leading to the American Revolution

3. Assesses students’ understanding of the foundations of the United States government

4. Assesses students’ understanding of the issues leading to the Civil War and their ability to compare and contrast the decade of the 1920’s with the decade of the 1960’s

• This assessment contains an open-ended question, providing practice in writing responses for the NJ ASK.