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2nd grade · Social Studies · Unit 1 of 10

Communities Compared

City, village, rural and urban

What your child practices

Comparing communities around the world: what they share (basic needs, school, play) and how they differ (size, climate, jobs, travel).

Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards benchmark: 2.5.25.1; 2.4.19.1 · communities made of many cultures, and how a community's culture reflects its history

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. Urban communities are cities: many people, buildings and busy streets.
  2. Rural communities have more open space and fewer people.
  3. All communities need food, water, shelter and clothing.

Example: Which place is likely quieter and has more open space? Cities are busy and crowded. The countryside has fields and fewer people. Answer: a rural area

Communities Compared in Minnesota

In the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards, this is unit 1 of 10 in 2nd grade Social Studies, before Climate & Ways of Life.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Which place is likely quieter and has more open space?

    • a downtown street
    • a busy train station
    • a rural area

  2. Question 2

    A community in the mountains may have…

    • a flat desert
    • a big ocean
    • steep roads and winter snow

  3. Question 3

    A coastal community often has…

    • a glacier only
    • a desert
    • a harbor or beach

  4. Question 4

    Why do people live in communities?

    • To be alone
    • To share places, help each other and get what they need
    • To avoid everyone

  5. Question 5

    What do people in all communities need to stay healthy?

    • clean water and food
    • video games
    • a boat

  6. Question 6

    In an urban community, you might see…

    • many people, buildings and busy streets
    • only forest
    • only farm fields

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