Social Studies in the Classroom

I have seen a typical classroom setting and I understand the amount of time given to a teacher to teach what is necessary.  I feel that certain lessons are completely neglected due to a hierarchy of subject learning.  I understand how important reading is to learn because it influences any other learning after, but to leave certain subjects unfinished, in my opinion, is disgraceful.  I have seen social studies and science lessons last for only fifteen minutes each because of the stressed importance of the language arts and mathematics.  I feel that social studies, especially, is as important if not more than some of the others because of how it demonstrates the way we live in our home, community, society, country, and world.  How could that not be important but apparently all the time is taken.  I hope that in the future the people writing what is important thinks through there the education process leaving important issues.