Course Overview:
The Social Studies suite utilizes a personal approach to introduce students to community and citizenship. By providing scaffolded instruction from Kindergarten through 5th grade, students develop a firm understanding of important concepts and skills related to history, geography, and economics. The integration of recurring characters and challenges to overcome keeps students engaged and progressing. Finally, students will analyze grade-appropriate passages to reinforce reading comprehension and writing skills. In Kindergarten, students learn about community and are offered an introduction to history, geography, and economics. In First grade, students develop an understanding of citizenship in the home, school, and community. Second grade focuses on the geography of North America, the impact of immigration, and the foundations of American citizenship. Third grade includes a closer look at American history and civics. This includes studying regions with the United States and the physical and cultural characteristics of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean Islands. In Fourth grade, students explore the important people, places, and events that shaped the state in which they live. In Fifth grade, students focus on American history through 1850 from Native Americans through exploration, colonization, and early American history.
Prerequisites:
Grade 4 (Recommended)
Required Materials:
Student-Supplied Resources:
- cell phone to take photos, videos, or audio recordings of student work, or a scanner to scan and submit student work
- coloring materials (crayons, markers, colored pencils)
- storage space on your computer and an external device to back up your files (flash drive, external hard drive, CD–ROM, etc.)
- erasers
- general household objects for activities
- glue
- headset or earbuds
- lined paper
- multi-colored paper
- notebook or binder for course resources
- pencils and pens
- printer
- printer paper
- ruler
- scissors
- stapler
- tape
Lesson Specific Materials:
- Optional: Household items
Free Downloads:
- Java
- Windows Media Player
- Apple iTunes
Syllabus:
Module 01: Early Civilizations
- 01.00 Early Civilizations: Pretest
- 01.01 Locations and Physical Features
- 01.02 Ancient American Civilizations
- 01.03 Native American Tribes
- 01.04 Native American Cultures
Module 02: Age of Exploration
- 02.00 Age of Exploration: Pretest
- 02.01 Exploration Across the Atlantic
- 02.02 European Exploration: Part One
- 02.03 European Exploration: Part Two
- 02.04 Impacts of Discovery
Module 03: Colonial Times
- 03.00 Colonial Times: Pretest
- 03.01 Motives for Settlement
- 03.02 New England Colonies
- 03.03 Middle Colonies
- 03.04 Southern Colonies
- 03.05 Colonial Trade
- 03.06 Political Environment of the Colonies
- 03.07 Advances in Technology
Module 04: American Revolution
- 04.00 American Revolution: Pretest
- 04.01 Events Leading to the Revolution
- 04.02 Political Ideas
- 04.03 The Revolution Grows
- 04.04 Independent Ideas
- 04.05 Major Military Battles
- 04.06 Assistance from Allies
- 04.07 Effects of the Revolution
Module 05: Founding a Nation
- 05.00 Founding a Nation: Pretest
- 05.01 Articles of Confederation
- 05.02 The Constitution
- 05.03 Amending the Constitution
- 05.04 Constitution as a Living Document
Module 06: Westward Expansion
- 06.00 Westward Expansion: Pretest
- 06.01 Expanding U.S. Territory
- 06.02 War of 1812
- 06.03 Missouri Compromise
- 06.04 Texas Revolution and the Mexican-American War
- 06.05 Trails to the West
- 06.06 Advances in Transportation and Communication
Module 07: Civics
- 07.00 Civics: Pretest
- 07.01 Branches of Government
- 07.02 Civic Duties
- 07.03 Responsibilities of Citizens
- 07.04 States and Capitals
- 07.05 Landmarks and Symbols
