Indiana Social Studies IS.5.7

Social StudiesGrades 9–12Individuals, Society, and Culture

The Standard

Examine what it means to be a ‘Hoosier.’

2026 Indiana Academic Standards: K-12 Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students explain what people may mean when they call themselves Hoosiers. They use examples from Indiana communities to show that people can share a connection to the state without sharing the same background or experiences.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can describe more than one way a person might feel connected to Indiana, such as living there, growing up there, or taking part in a community. They use specific examples and avoid treating a stereotype as a fact about everyone.
Common Misconceptions: Some students think only people born in Indiana can call themselves Hoosiers. Others assume every Hoosier lives in a small town, farms, or likes basketball.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: A person moved to Indianapolis last year. Another was born in Indiana and now lives elsewhere. Could either call themselves a Hoosier? Explain your answer.

Lesson moves

Pin four short resident profiles to an Indiana map, then label each person's ties to the state and community.
Ask: Can a recent arrival call themselves a Hoosier? Use details from two resident profiles to defend your answer.
Sort six claim cards about Indiana residents into supported, stereotype, or needs evidence; explain one choice to a partner.
Compare an Indianapolis neighborhood event flyer with a county fair flyer, then write one way each reflects community life.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to IS.5.7, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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