Coverage by content domain
Lessons and questions are organized around the exam’s content areas so your preparation reflects the structure of the assessment.
Why Test Alignment Matters for Your FTCE Middle Grades Social Science 5–9 Study Guide
Certification test standards are broad, but the exam questions are very specific. Our team of curriculum experts uses the 240 Study Guide Creation Process to ensure the most aligned, specific content for your FTCE Middle Grades Social Science 5–9 (038) test — so you are not wasting time on broad subject review that may not show up on exam day.
Why 240 is the best choice for the FTCE 038 study guide
- Built around the official exam framework
- Organized by the competencies actually used on the exam
- Shows exactly what is covered and where depth is partial
- Includes aligned questions, flashcards, study materials, and videos
- Helps candidates study what is actually tested instead of broad generic content
Transparent coverage is a strength. We show where the guide is strong, where depth is partial, and where a gap has been identified so you can make an informed study decision.
How to Read This Alignment Review
5Domains
44Competencies reviewed
95%Test-aligned
41Covered
2Partially covered
1Gaps
- CoveredCompetency is comprehensively supported by the guide.
- Partially coveredCore content is covered, but some depth gaps remain.
- Coverage gap identifiedA content gap has been identified.
This study guide is based on the current official exam framework. We review and update alignment whenever the official framework changes so candidates are always studying current, accurate material.
Knowledge of history (Domain 1)Covered
771 questions · 55 materials · 397 cards · 23 videosCovered
| Official competency | Matching 240 topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Identify major historical events and how they are related by cause and effect. | Themes - Cause and Effect in History | Covered | 19 | 1 | 3 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (19 questions, 1 materials, 3 cards, 1 videos). |
| 2. Analyze examples of primary source documents for historical perspective. | Teaching - Research Skills; Skill - Primary and Secondary Sources | Covered | 47 | 2 | 10 | 1 | Covered by 2 topics (47 questions, 2 materials, 10 cards, 1 videos). |
| 3. Identify cultural, political, social, economic, and technological contributions made by civilizations in Africa, the Americas, Asia (including the Middle East), Europe, and Oceania. | Ancient Egypt; Ancient Greece; Ancient Rome; Mesopotamia; Middle Eastern Influence on World Culture and Technology | Covered | 68 | 5 | 40 | 3 | Covered by 5 topics (68 questions, 5 materials, 40 cards, 3 videos). |
| 4. Relate major historical events and movements to physical and human geographic factors. | Regionalism in the Early United States; Immigration 1830-1850; Immigration 1870-1920; American Society 1945-1990 | Covered | 45 | 4 | 20 | 1 | Covered by 4 topics (45 questions, 4 materials, 20 cards, 1 videos). |
| 5. Identify significant historical leaders and events and their influence on world civilizations. | Leaders in U.S.; Ancient Egypt; Ancient Greece; Ancient Rome; Mesopotamia; Ancient Hebrews; Ancient India; Ancient China; Decline of Western Roman Empire; Middle Eastern Influence on World Culture and Technology; Growth of Islam | Covered | 131 | 11 | 72 | 4 | Covered by 11 topics (131 questions, 11 materials, 72 cards, 4 videos). |
| 6. Analyze the causes and effects of exploration, settlement, and growth in Africa, the Americas, Asia (including the Middle East), Europe, and Oceania. | Native American Groups Pre-Colonization; European Exploration and Colonization V1; Colonial Period; Slavery; American Imperialism; Decolonization in Africa and Asia | Covered | 105 | 6 | 48 | 2 | Covered by 6 topics (105 questions, 6 materials, 48 cards, 2 videos). |
| 7. Identify individuals, ideas, and events that have influenced economic, cultural, social, and political institutions in the United States. | European Exploration and Colonization V1; Colonial Period; The American Revolution V1; Articles of Confederation; Constitution and the Bill of Rights; Origin of Political Parties; Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny; Regionalism in the Western United States; First Industrial Revolution; Slavery Compromises; Causes of Sectionalism; Civil War; Reconstruction; Second Industrial Revolution; Gilded Age; Progressive Movement; Rise of Labor; Women's Rights Movement; Effects of World War I on America V1; Early 20th Century Amendments; Great Depression and the New Deal; World War II and America V1; Korean War and Vietnam War; African American Civil Rights Movement in America; American Society 1945-1990; Modern Political Parties; World War I V1; Revolutions of the Early 20th Century; The Worldwide Depression; Rise of Communism and Fascism; World War II V1; French and Indian War | Covered | 471 | 32 | 267 | 16 | Covered by 32 topics (471 questions, 32 materials, 267 cards, 16 videos). |
| 8. Identify immigration and settlement patterns that have shaped the history of Florida. | Florida's Cultural History | Covered | 12 | 1 | 6 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (12 questions, 1 materials, 6 cards, 0 videos). |
| 9. Identify significant individuals, events, and social, cultural, political, and economic characteristics of different periods of Florida history. | Florida's Cultural History; Key Florida History | Covered | 13 | 2 | 21 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (13 questions, 2 materials, 21 cards, 0 videos). |
Knowledge of geography (Domain 2)Covered
258 questions · 21 materials · 105 cards · 5 videosCovered
| Official competency | Matching 240 topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Identify essential themes and elements in geography and the terms associated with them. | Themes of Geography | Covered | 8 | 1 | 7 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (8 questions, 1 materials, 7 cards, 1 videos). |
| 2. Interpret maps and other graphic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information from a spatial perspective. | Types of Maps; Absolute Location V1; Special Coordinates; Using Maps; Mapping Tools | Covered | 67 | 5 | 29 | 1 | Covered by 5 topics (67 questions, 5 materials, 29 cards, 1 videos). |
| 3. Use mental maps to organize information about people, places, and environments. | Multimodal Teaching - Social Studies; Skill - Creation of Graphics | Covered | 15 | 2 | 7 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (15 questions, 2 materials, 7 cards, 0 videos). |
| 4. Analyze the factors (e.g., topographic, environmental, economic) that influence the selection of a location for a specific activity (e.g., industrial and urban development, agriculture, transportation). | Absolute and Relative Location V1; The Earth's Significant Physical Features | Covered | 30 | 2 | 18 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (30 questions, 2 materials, 18 cards, 0 videos). |
| 5. Interpret statistics that show how places differ in their human and physical characteristics. | Skill - Analysis of Graphics | Covered | 23 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (23 questions, 1 materials, 1 cards, 1 videos). |
| 6. Identify cultural, political, economic, sociological, and technological characteristics that define, link, or divide regions. | Regions V1; Political Regions of the World; Regions of Florida | Covered | 26 | 3 | 5 | 0 | Covered by 3 topics (26 questions, 3 materials, 5 cards, 0 videos). |
| 7. Identify ways in which people adapt to an environment through the production and use of clothing, food, and shelter. | Human-Environment Interaction | Covered | 19 | 1 | 3 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (19 questions, 1 materials, 3 cards, 1 videos). |
| 8. Evaluate the effects of human activity and technology on the environment. | Impacts of Human Innovations | Covered | 11 | 1 | 7 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (11 questions, 1 materials, 7 cards, 1 videos). |
| 9. Identify physical, cultural, social, economic, and political reasons for the movement of people in the world, nation, or state. | Causes of Human Migration; Population Trends in 19th and 20th Century United States | Covered | 24 | 2 | 21 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (24 questions, 2 materials, 21 cards, 0 videos). |
| 10. Analyze factors contributing to the level of economic development in various geographic regions. | Economic Development | Covered | 7 | 1 | 7 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (7 questions, 1 materials, 7 cards, 0 videos). |
| 11. Identify examples of interdependence between regions of the world. | Trade; Interdependence of Nations - Advanced | Covered | 28 | 2 | 9 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (28 questions, 2 materials, 9 cards, 0 videos). |
Knowledge of civics and government (Domain 3)Covered
270 questions · 16 materials · 83 cards · 9 videosCovered
| Official competency | Matching 240 topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Identify the structure, functions, and purposes of government. | Structure and Functions of Federal Government; Structure and Functions of State Governments V1; Structure and Functions of Local Governments V1 | Covered | 65 | 3 | 26 | 1 | Covered by 3 topics (65 questions, 3 materials, 26 cards, 1 videos). |
| 2. Identify major concepts, content, and purposes of the U.S. Constitution and other historical documents. | Principles in Founding Documents; The Bill of Rights | Covered | 43 | 2 | 13 | 2 | Covered by 2 topics (43 questions, 2 materials, 13 cards, 2 videos). |
| 3. Compare and contrast the various political systems in the world (e.g., monarchy, parliamentary system, federal republic, democracy, totalitarianism). | Implications of Different Forms of Government | Covered | 28 | 1 | 14 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (28 questions, 1 materials, 14 cards, 1 videos). |
| 4. Identify the characteristics of the U.S. electoral system and the election process. | U.S. Electoral Process | Covered | 19 | 1 | 3 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (19 questions, 1 materials, 3 cards, 0 videos). |
| 5. Identify the major structures and functions of federal, state, and local governments in the United States. | Federalism; Structure and Functions of Federal Government | Covered | 69 | 2 | 28 | 2 | Covered by 2 topics (69 questions, 2 materials, 28 cards, 2 videos). |
| 6. Analyze relationships between social, cultural, economic, and political institutions and systems. | Fundamental Citizenship Rights; Fundamental Economic Rights | Covered | 26 | 2 | 10 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (26 questions, 2 materials, 10 cards, 0 videos). |
| 7. Identify the tenets (e.g., rule of law, innocent until proven guilty), institutions, and processes of the U.S. legal system. | Processes of U.S. Legal System | Covered | 7 | 1 | 5 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (7 questions, 1 materials, 5 cards, 0 videos). |
| 8. Identify major U.S. Supreme Court cases and their impact on society. | Landmark Supreme Court Cases | Covered | 29 | 1 | 4 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (29 questions, 1 materials, 4 cards, 1 videos). |
| 9. Evaluate the goals, conduct, and consequences of U.S. foreign policy. | Korean War and Vietnam War; The Cold War; Rise of Globalism | Covered | 27 | 3 | 13 | 3 | Covered by 3 topics (27 questions, 3 materials, 13 cards, 3 videos). |
| 10. Identify features and concepts of international relations (e.g., United Nations, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Red Cross, Organization of American States, European Union). | Rise of Globalism | Covered | 10 | 1 | 4 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (10 questions, 1 materials, 4 cards, 1 videos). |
| 11. Identify the rights and responsibilities of a U.S. citizen in society. | Fundamental Citizenship Rights; Rights, Responsibilities and Freedoms | Covered | 33 | 2 | 12 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (33 questions, 2 materials, 12 cards, 0 videos). |
Knowledge of economics (Domain 4)Partially covered
178 questions · 9 materials · 45 cards · 5 videosPartially covered
| Official competency | Matching 240 topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Analyze the effects of scarcity on the choices made by governments and individuals. | Basic Economic Concepts; Scarcity and Opportunity Cost; Supply and Demand | Covered | 87 | 3 | 19 | 3 | Covered by 3 topics (87 questions, 3 materials, 19 cards, 3 videos). |
| 2. Compare and contrast the characteristics of various economic systems. | Economic Systems | Covered | 16 | 1 | 6 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (16 questions, 1 materials, 6 cards, 1 videos). |
| 3. Identify the role of markets in decisions affecting production, distribution, and consumption. | Markets; Free-Enterprise System | Covered | 42 | 2 | 14 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (42 questions, 2 materials, 14 cards, 0 videos). |
| 4. Evaluate factors to consider when making consumer decisions. | Consumer Decisions | Partially covered | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Partial coverage by 1 topic (6 questions, 1 materials, 1 cards, 0 videos); limited supporting content. |
| 5. Identify the advantages and disadvantages of various kinds of credit. | None | Coverage gap identified | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | No matching topic found in the study guide. |
| 6. Identify factors involved in global economic interdependence and trade between nations. | Interdependence of Nations - Advanced | Covered | 21 | 1 | 9 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (21 questions, 1 materials, 9 cards, 0 videos). |
| 7. Identify the purposes and effects of various types of taxes. | Taxes | Partially covered | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Partial coverage by 1 topic (6 questions, 1 materials, 1 cards, 1 videos); limited supporting content. |
Knowledge of social science curriculum and instruction (Domain 5)Covered
141 questions · 10 materials · 36 cards · 3 videosCovered
| Official competency | Matching 240 topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Identify the interdisciplinary relationships of the social sciences. | Connections Within Social Studies; Connecting Geography Across Disciplines | Covered | 18 | 2 | 2 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (18 questions, 2 materials, 2 cards, 0 videos). |
| 2. Apply nontextbook resources (e.g., technology, media, community) for use in social science instruction. | Multimodal Teaching - Social Studies; Teaching - Integrating Digital Technology | Covered | 23 | 2 | 15 | 1 | Covered by 2 topics (23 questions, 2 materials, 15 cards, 1 videos). |
| 3. Identify how social science content can be integrated with other areas of the curriculum. | Connections Across Subject Areas | Covered | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (10 questions, 1 materials, 0 cards, 0 videos). |
| 4. Identify various assessment strategies for the social sciences. | Teaching - Assessment and Instruction - Social Studies | Covered | 26 | 1 | 9 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (26 questions, 1 materials, 9 cards, 1 videos). |
| 5. Select strategies for teaching the social sciences to differentiated populations. | Teaching - Assessment and Instruction - Social Studies | Covered | 26 | 1 | 9 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (26 questions, 1 materials, 9 cards, 1 videos). |
| 6. Identify strategies for teaching the use of social science resources (e.g., primary source documents, charts, maps, graphs). | Teaching - Research Skills; Skill - Primary and Secondary Sources; Teaching - Social Studies Skills; Skill - Creation of Graphics | Covered | 64 | 4 | 10 | 1 | Covered by 4 topics (64 questions, 4 materials, 10 cards, 1 videos). |
How 240 Creates The FTCE Middle Grades Social Science 5–9 (038) Study Guide
Every 240 study guide starts with the official exam framework. From there, we organize lessons, practice, and study tools around the categories the exam uses to measure candidate knowledge.
Review the official exam framework
We begin with the standards, domains, competencies, objectives, or content categories published by the testing authority.
Map the tested categories
We map every major area the exam is designed to cover so the guide reflects the real structure of the test.
Build lessons around tested content
We create study materials to support the official blueprint, not broad filler content.
Cross-check practice against exam expectations
We review practice content against the framework and real exam patterns so preparation stays targeted.
Review and update as standards change
When official frameworks change, we review guides and update alignment as needed.
Reviewed by subject-matter experts and maintained to reflect current standards.
Why 240 Is Better Than Other Generic Study Guides
Not all study guides are built the same way. Here is what separates a test-aligned guide from a generic one — and why it matters when you are preparing for the FTCE Middle Grades Social Science 5–9.
Generic prep
- Covers broad subject areas without structure
- No clear connection to the official exam framework
- Practice questions may not reflect the real test format
- May not update when official standards change
- Can be helpful for quick, broad review
240 test-aligned FTCE 038 prep
- Every lesson maps to an official domain or competency
- Built directly from the official exam framework
- Practice questions aligned to what the exam actually measures
- A clear study path by tested category
- Study smarter and enter test day more prepared
FAQs About the FTCE Middle Grades Social Science 5–9 Study Guide
The questions teacher candidates ask us most often about the FTCE Middle Grades Social Science 5–9 study guide.
Is 240 a good study guide for FTCE Middle Grades Social Science 5–9?
240 is a strong option because the guide is built around the official exam framework and shows detailed alignment by SMR and competency.
How closely does 240 align to the FTCE 038 exam?
This guide is 95% aligned based on a competency-by-competency review of the official framework and the study resources included in the guide.
Does 240 cover every competency?
This page shows coverage transparently across covered, partially covered, and identified gaps so candidates can see exactly how the guide maps to the exam.
What does “partially covered” mean?
Partially covered means the guide addresses the core parts of a competency, but some depth or subtopics may still be limited.