Hi Rhia,<br />
<br />
Well, I can't verify whether schools in Carroll County, MD are REQUIRED to include Science and Social Studies in the curriculum, but there certainly are curriculum standards for Maryland first graders that include science and social studies. See below:<br />
<br />
Science: http://mdk12.org/instruction/curriculum/science/standard1/grade1.html<br />
<br />
Social Studies: http://mdk12.org/instruction/curriculum/social_studies/standard1/grade1.html<br />
<br />
As for all states, Maryland is striving to align their curriculum with testing, so it seems that your daughter will be expected to demonstrate her mastery of these standards next spring. Thus, it sure looks like science and social studies are expected to be part of the curriculum for first graders.<br />
<br />
Does anyone else have other information?<br />

Hi Rhia,<br />
I totally understand your situation. I taught 3rd grade and we barely had time to teach Science and Social Studies. When I taught 1st grade, due to time constraints, I was unable to get to Science. However, any good teacher will use Reading time or LA time to integrate some Social Studies or Scientific themes in their units. Basically integrate all the subjects instead of doing them separately. Any good teacher would do this because students learn best by when things are taught in relation to one another. &nbsp;I felt bad because we didn't get to Science, but in education there is something called &quot;spiral curriculum.&quot; I am sure you are familiar with this theory because it has been implemented in schools all across the country for the last 40-50 years. Basically, a student is taught the basics at first then as they progress in school the content, which is the same, becomes more elaborate and sophisticated. I held, and still do hold, the belief that if I can concentrate on having my students in first grade become proficient readers and writers then in the following years they will be learning the same scientific/social studies content but in more depth than in first grade.<br />
<br />
I know this all sounds like much and that I didn't answer your question, but I will right now. I called the state of MD and they stated that there is no state mandate setting the number of minutes for any subject. I do know that when I taught in GA, WA, and CA that they have laid out the minimum number of instructional minutes for each subject, but it varies from state to state.<br />
<br />
Also, don't count the teacher out yet. They have a lot on their plates at the beginning of the year, so they may be getting to it later in the year. Just ask the teacher! Hope this helps. I have provided a link to Carroll County Schools Curriculum site. http://www.carrollk12.org/instruction/elemcurric/grade1.htm<br />
<br />
It provides a list of all the content the kids will be learning in 1st grade. They do have links for Social Studies and Science, but the state does not require it be taught, just a state suggestion.<br />