Glossary: Terms Starting with S
124 definitions in Social Studies with links to the lessons that teach each word.
Showing Social Studies only. Show all subjects
All terms starting with S
sacred
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
very special to a religion or belief
Learn it in: Respecting different traditions (Grade 1)
safe
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
free from danger
Learn it in: Helping at home (Grade 1), Classroom rules (Grade 1), Why we have rules (Grade 1)
safety rule
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
a rule that keeps us from harm
Learn it in: Rules at home (Grade 1)
Sahel
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
the semi-dry belt south of the Sahara
Learn it in: Africa’s physical geography (Grade 6)
same
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
alike in some way
Learn it in: Similarities and differences among people (Grade 1), Comparing past and present (Grade 1)
sanitation
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
keeping places clean to protect health
Learn it in: Housing (Grade 3), Public services (Grade 4), Water resources (Grade 5)
savanna
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
tropical grassland with scattered trees
Learn it in: Africa’s physical geography (Grade 6)
savannah
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
tropical grassland with scattered trees
Learn it in: Grassland communities (Grade 2)
save
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
to use carefully and not waste
Learn it in: Saving water (Grade 1), Saving money (Grade 2)
saving
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
keeping money for future use instead of spending it now
Learn it in: Saving and budgeting (Grade 5)
scale
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
how distance on a map compares with the real distance
Learn it in: What is a map? (Grade 2), Map scale introduction (Grade 3), Timelines (Grade 4)
scale bar
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
a line on a map showing real distances
Learn it in: Map scale introduction (Grade 3)
scam
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
a trick to cheat people out of money or information
Learn it in: Responsible financial decisions (Grade 5)
scarce
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
not enough for everyone to have all they want
Full explanation with examples and practice →
Learn it in: Needs and wants (Grade 2), Natural resources (Grade 3)
scarcity
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
not having enough of something to meet everyone’s wants
Full explanation with examples and practice →
Learn it in: Scarcity (Grade 4), Scarcity and choice (Grade 5), Scarcity (Grade 6)
schedule
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
a plan of times for activities
Learn it in: Daily routines (Grade 2), Differences in daily routines (Grade 2)
scholar
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
a person who studies and has deep knowledge
Learn it in: West African states and cultural centres (Grade 5)
school
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
a place where children learn
Learn it in: What is a school? (Grade 1), Schools and healthcare (Grade 3)
school council
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
pupils chosen to represent others and share ideas with the school
Learn it in: Community participation (Grade 3)
scope
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
how wide or narrow a question or project is
Learn it in: Developing compelling enquiry questions (Grade 6)
scramble for Africa
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
the rapid claiming of African territory by European powers in the late 1800s
Learn it in: Colonial encounters (Grade 5)
scribe
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
a person trained to write and keep records
Learn it in: Mesopotamia (Grade 4)
script
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
a system of written signs
Learn it in: Writing and recordkeeping (Grade 4), Communication through history (Grade 6)
SDGs
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations in 2015
Learn it in: Sustainable development (Grade 6)
seal
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
a small carved stamp used to mark goods
Learn it in: Indus Valley societies (Grade 4)
season
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
a time of year with its own kind of weather
Learn it in: Weather and daily life (Grade 2)
secondary source
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
information made later by someone who was not there
Learn it in: Secondary sources introduction (Grade 3), Primary and secondary sources (Grade 4), Finding suitable sources (Grade 4)
secret ballot
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
voting in private so that no one can see how you voted
Learn it in: Elections and representation (Grade 6)
Security Council
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
the UN body with primary responsibility for international peace and security
Learn it in: United Nations introduction (Grade 6)
seed
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
a small part that grows into a plant
Learn it in: Caring for plants (Grade 1)
self-determination
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
the right of people to decide how they are governed
Learn it in: Independence movements (Grade 5)
sell
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
to give goods or services for money
Learn it in: Buying and selling (Grade 2)
seller
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
a person who sells
Learn it in: Markets and shops (Grade 1), Goods (Grade 1), Buyers and sellers (Grade 3)
separation of powers
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
dividing government power between branches so that no one holds all of it
Learn it in: Government institutions (Grade 5), Separation of powers introduction (Grade 6), Government and citizenship review (Grade 6)
sequence
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
events in order
Learn it in: Events in order (Grade 1), Using timelines (Grade 4)
service
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
help provided to many people
Learn it in: Community services (Grade 1), Services (Grade 1), Community organisation (Grade 2)
services
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
things provided for people such as water, schools, health care
Full explanation with examples and practice →
Learn it in: Urban settlements (Grade 3), Rural and urban life (Grade 4), Producers and consumers (Grade 5)
settlement
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
a place where people live
Learn it in: Capital and important settlements (Grade 3), Permanent settlements (Grade 4), Early communities in our region (Grade 5)
settler
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
a person who makes a new home in a place
Learn it in: Migration and cultural change (Grade 4), Migration and settlement (Grade 5)
shelter
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
a place that protects from weather
Learn it in: Homes and buildings (Grade 1), What are needs? (Grade 1), Food, water, and shelter (Grade 1)
short-term
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
happening soon after
Learn it in: Cause and consequence (Grade 4)
shortage
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
when there is not enough of something to meet demand
Full explanation with examples and practice →
Learn it in: Supply and demand introduction (Grade 5), Markets and prices (Grade 6)
sibling
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
a brother or sister
Learn it in: Different family structures (Grade 1)
side effect
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
an unplanned effect that follows an action
Learn it in: Evaluating proposed solutions (Grade 5)
sign
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
a picture or word that gives information
Learn it in: Roads and pathways (Grade 1)
significance
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
how important an event or person is in history
Learn it in: Historical significance (Grade 4), Historical thinking review (Grade 6)
silk
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
a smooth, strong cloth made from threads spun by silkworms
Learn it in: Ancient China (Grade 4)
Silk Roads
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
a network of land and sea routes linking China with Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe
Learn it in: Trade routes and exchange (Grade 6)
similar
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
alike in some ways
Learn it in: Learning about others (Grade 1), Community similarities (Grade 2), Similarities in children’s lives (Grade 2)
similarity
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
a way things are alike
Learn it in: Comparing traditions (Grade 2), Comparing past and present life (Grade 4)
simulation
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
a pretend activity that shows how something works in real life
Learn it in: Trade simulation (Grade 5)
site
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
the exact place where a settlement is built
Learn it in: Settlement locations (Grade 3), Settlement patterns (Grade 4)
situation
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
where a settlement is in relation to other places
Learn it in: Settlement locations (Grade 3)
skill
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
something you can do well
Learn it in: Why people work (Grade 2), Human resources (Grade 3), Human resources (Grade 4)
slate
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
a small board used long ago for writing
Learn it in: Changes in schools (Grade 2)
slope
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
the slanting side of a hill or mountain
Learn it in: Mountain communities (Grade 2)
smelting
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
heating rock to get metal out of it
Learn it in: Early tools (Grade 4)
social institution
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
an organised set of roles and rules that meets a shared need in society
Learn it in: Social institutions (Grade 5)
society
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
a group of people living together with shared customs and rules
Learn it in: Major historical African societies (Grade 5)
soft power
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
influence gained through culture, ideas and example rather than force
Learn it in: Africa’s global connections (Grade 6)
soil
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
the top layer of the earth in which plants grow
Learn it in: Soil erosion (Grade 4)
solution
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
a way to solve a problem
Learn it in: Working together (Grade 2), Identifying possible solutions (Grade 3)
sorry
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
a word to show you are sad you hurt someone
Learn it in: Resolving disagreements (Grade 1)
source
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
where we get information
Learn it in: Community history project (Grade 2), Water conservation (Grade 2), Rivers and water bodies (Grade 3)
source credit
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
naming where information came from
Learn it in: Research presentations (Grade 6)
source pack
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
a set of approved documents, maps and data for research
Learn it in: International cooperation case study (Grade 6)
south-west
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
halfway between south and west
Learn it in: Intermediate directions introduction (Grade 3)
sovereign
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
having its own government and control over its own territory
Learn it in: National boundaries (Grade 3)
sovereignty
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
the power of a country to govern itself
Learn it in: National independence or state formation (Grade 5), Purposes of government (Grade 6)
sparse
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
spread thinly, with few people
Learn it in: Human settlement patterns (Grade 4)
sparsely populated
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
having few people per square kilometre
Learn it in: Population distribution (Grade 6), Population distribution (Grade 6)
spatial pattern
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
the way things are arranged across space on a map
Learn it in: Spatial patterns and geographical analysis (Grade 6)
specialisation
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
doing one job very well
Learn it in: Human resources (Grade 3), Specialisation (Grade 4), Why people trade (Grade 5)
specialist
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
a person trained to do one kind of job very well
Learn it in: What is a civilisation? (Grade 4)
sponsored content
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
content paid for by a company but presented like other media
Learn it in: Advertising and persuasion (Grade 6)
spread
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
to move from one place to many others
Learn it in: Trade and cultural exchange (Grade 4)
staff
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
people who work in a school
Learn it in: People who work at school (Grade 1), Teachers and schools (Grade 2)
stakeholder
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
a person or group affected by or able to help with an issue
Learn it in: Identifying possible solutions (Grade 3), Different historical perspectives (Grade 5), Sustainable development project (Grade 5)
staple crop
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
a food crop that is eaten regularly and forms the main part of a diet
Learn it in: Agriculture (Grade 5)
state
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
an organised society with a government and a defined territory
Learn it in: Historical states and societies (Grade 5), Empires and states (Grade 6)
statute
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
a law passed by a legislature, also called an Act
Learn it in: Constitutions and laws (Grade 6)
stele
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
a tall carved stone standing upright as a monument
Learn it in: Early African societies (Grade 4)
stereotype
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
believing all people in a group are the same
Learn it in: Learning about others (Grade 1), Children around the world (Grade 2), Cultural diversity (Grade 3)
stewardship
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
looking after something carefully for others
Learn it in: Public responsibility (Grade 6)
stilts
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
tall posts that lift a house off the ground
Learn it in: Housing and environment (Grade 2)
stone enclosure
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
a large walled structure built of carefully fitted stone, as at Great Zimbabwe
Learn it in: Historical states and societies (Grade 6)
storage
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
keeping food and goods for later
Learn it in: Permanent settlements (Grade 4)
story
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
a telling of what happened
Learn it in: My personal story (Grade 1), Family memories (Grade 1)
strength
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
something you do well
Learn it in: My abilities and strengths (Grade 1), Research reflection (Grade 4)
style
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
a particular way of making or designing something
Learn it in: Art and architecture (Grade 4)
subsidy
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
money given by a government to help a business or industry
Learn it in: International trade cooperation (Grade 6)
subsistence
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
growing or finding food mainly for your own family or community
Learn it in: Early communities in our region (Grade 5)
subsistence farming
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
growing food mainly for the farmer’s family
Learn it in: Farming (Grade 3), Agriculture and settlements (Grade 4), Agriculture and land use (Grade 5)
suggestion
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
an idea offered to help
Learn it in: Improving community services (Grade 2)
summary
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
a short account of the main points
Learn it in: Presenting findings (Grade 5), Media analysis project (Grade 6)
supplier
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
a person or company that provides goods or materials
Learn it in: Economic interdependence (Grade 4)
supply
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
to provide what is needed
Learn it in: Farmers and food providers (Grade 2), Markets (Grade 3), Supply and demand introduction (Grade 5)
supply chain
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
the steps a product takes from producer to buyer
Learn it in: Connections between rural and urban communities (Grade 3), Transportation (Grade 4), International economic connections (Grade 5)
supporting question
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
a smaller question that helps answer the big question
Learn it in: Developing compelling enquiry questions (Grade 6)
supreme law
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
the highest law of the country, which other laws must follow
Learn it in: Constitutions introduction (Grade 5)
surplus
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
more than is needed right now
Learn it in: Development of farming (Grade 4), Why people trade (Grade 5), Markets and prices (Grade 6)
surveillance
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
careful watching and reporting of disease to respond quickly
Learn it in: Global public-health cooperation (Grade 6)
survey
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
asking a group of people the same questions
Learn it in: Improving community services (Grade 2), Local economic investigation (Grade 3), Gathering evidence (Grade 5)
sustain
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
to keep something going over time
Learn it in: Project reflection (Grade 3)
sustainability
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
meeting today’s needs without harming the ability of future generations to meet theirs
Learn it in: Human-environment relationships (Grade 5)
sustainable
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
used in a way that lasts for the future
Learn it in: Natural resources (Grade 3), Responsible resource use (Grade 3), Sustainable livelihoods (Grade 4)
sustainable city
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
a city that meets people’s needs without harming future generations or the environment
Learn it in: Urbanisation (Grade 6)
sustainable development
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
improving lives today without harming the planet or the chances of future generations
Learn it in: Sustainable development project (Grade 5), Sustainable development (Grade 6), Global connections review (Grade 6)
Swahili
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
the culture and language of the East African coast, with African and Arab links
Learn it in: Indian Ocean trade networks (Grade 5)
symbol
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
a picture or sign that stands for something
Learn it in: Map symbols (Grade 1), Music and art (Grade 2), Map symbols (Grade 2)
synergy
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
when different actions support one another and give more benefit together
Learn it in: Sustainable development (Grade 6)
social change
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
changes in how a society lives, works and thinks over time
Learn it in: Changing community practices (Grade 5)