Indiana Social Studies S.7.1

Social StudiesGrades 9–12Social Institutions

The Standard

Define social institutions as being made up of norms and values, and explain their importance to society.

2026 Indiana Academic Standards: K-12 Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify institutions such as families, schools, and governments. They name the norms, or expected behaviors, and values, or shared beliefs, that shape each one. They explain how these patterns help people meet shared needs.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can name raising a hand as a school norm and respect as a school value. They can explain how both help people learn and work together.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think a school building alone is an institution, without considering the practices and beliefs of the people in it. They may mix up a norm, like raising a hand, with a value, like respect. Some think only government counts as an institution.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Name one norm and one value of a school, then explain how they help the school meet a need for students.

Lesson moves

Give groups cards reading 'raise your hand,' 'respect,' 'attend class,' and 'learning'; have them sort norms and values and explain each pair.
Ask, 'What would change at school if students stopped waiting their turn to speak, and what school value would that put at risk?'
Play a matching game pairing 'vote in elections' with 'representation' and 'take turns speaking' with 'respect,' then name each institution.
Have students find a posted school rule and write which shared value it reflects and how it helps people work together.

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A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to S.7.1, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

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