The Sioux Falls School District’s elementary social studies curriculum is guided by the South Dakota state standards. These standards define for all students what they must know in the following strands: US History, world history, geography, civics (government), and economics.

The curriculum integrates a text with literature and other resources to make learning more relevant and meaningful. 

The Content and Achievement Standards provide a listing of essential core content to be taught and learned. They are designed to guide the planning of instruction and to anchor the assessment of learning. The Alternate Content Standards for each area expand the developmental spectrum of the S.D. Content and Achievement Standards for students with significant disabilities while guiding instruction and assure all students access to the general education curriculum.