Our framework for cultural studies comes from Montessori curriculum, California state social studies standards, and the Teaching Tolerance Social Justice standards, and is usually linked to our service learning curriculum. In the kindergarten, students focus on caring for ourselves and for our community, including partnership with the nearby Women’s & Children’s Drop-In Center. The 1st/2nd grade classes develop a sense of personal time, interview family members every other year for Dia de los Muertos projects, and study Changemakers, those who have made a difference throughout history. Third grade studies the Bay Area’s local native people, the Ohlone culture, including the roles of community members, food, shelter, and celebrations. 4th and 5th grade cultural studies alternates between a study of California history and US history, connecting the experiences of people from the past to current events. For example, their social justice curriculum focuses on the various reasons for the movement of people into and throughout the US, which run the gamut from business opportunity to slavery. Students learn about the founding of the country from colonization to Constitution, Westward Expansion to Civil War. The curriculum is rich with reading, writing, field trips, simulations, guest speakers, drama, and music.