Supporting Young Learners in Social Studies

Making Sense of Social Studies

History

For children in third through fifth grade, it is important to make the past come alive. A great way to introduce history to children is through literature. Reading about history can often seem boring to children but reading historical fiction can bring a time period to life. Stories about people and events from the past can come alive in books. The book series, “Who Was” is a great starting point for reading about history. History is a part of so many areas of learning. Art is history. Showing artwork from a time period often tells a story and gives children an opportunity to imagine the past. In order to learn history in these grade levels, students should be studying U.S. history in fifth grade, a focus on Florida history in fourth grade and North America and its surrounding countries in third grade.

Look at the engraving of the Boston Massacre. Use the analysis sheet to dig deeper into the artwork.
Watch the video about George Washington.
Use the note-taking graphic organizer to takes notes on the video.
Take an interactive tour of Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington.
Visit this website to read about Florida’s history. Ask your child to find similarities and differences between Florida’s native tribes or ask them to find similarities and differences between Florida’s explorers.
Take a virtual tour of Henry Flagler’s home, Whitehall. Discuss Henry Flagler’s contributions to Florida’s growth.
Discuss significant events in United States history using this website. Encourage your child to create a timeline of important events.
Use this interactive map of the Westward Expansion. Discuss with your child the causes and effects, the motivations, and the impact of Westward Expansion.

Geography

Children in 4th and 5^th grade learn that there are five major themes of geography. Location, place, human-environment interactions, movement, and regions are the basis for the study of geography. Learning geography allows children to gain an understanding of international matters, multicultural concerns, and environmental issues. Reading maps, interpreting local and global information and understanding trade helps children to understand their “place in the world.”

Visit this geography website to learn map skills, scales, and how weather changes the landscape.
Set various clocks in your house to different time zones and label them with the city’s name. This will help your child start to understand the geography of time zones. Choose a variety of major cities throughout the US and the world to label the other clocks and set them accordingly.
Create a brochure that encourages tourists to visit Florida. Include the weather, places to visit, and a map of Florida and the surrounding bodies of water.
Play a global game of hide and seek. Children start by gathering data about Earth, based on latitude, longitude, and seasonal changes in sunlight. Then they investigate clues and compare their data, narrowing down their search to find 10 secret sites around the globe.
Have a conversation about how Florida’s weather impacts our daily lives.
Use this website to locate buried treasure using lines of latitude and longitude.
Watch the music video about state capitals. Throughout the day, ask your child about various states to see how many capitals they remember.

Economics

For children in third through fifth grade, economics is not just about money. Economics is businesses and how they work. For example, a lemonade-stand and how many dollars a lemonade stand can earn. Economics can be toy collecting and baseball card collections. Economics is taxes and allowances and stocks and bonds. Economics is part of almost everything you could ever think about. The best way for children to grasp the meaning of the economy is to let them make financial transactions. Show your child how to use money with an allowance. Showing children how to spend money, save money and make a budget allows them to begin to understand the importance of economic decision making well before they have to begin using these skills in the “real world.”

Use this website to learn about Supply and Demand.
Take your child to the store with you and encourage them to round each price to the nearest whole dollar and predict how much the final cost will be. Remind your child that you are the buyer and the store is the seller.
Talk about tourist attractions in Florida (Disney World, Key West, the Everglades) and why people would want to visit these places. How do these places bring money into Florida?
Play Monopoly and discuss saving money versus buying property. What are benefits to buying property?
Draw a poster depicting an age‐appropriate activity (e.g., owning and riding a bicycle) that illustrates how to avoid risk of harm or loss (not riding the bike) or how to reduce the chance of a bad event (riding in a safe manner) and potential harm of the bad event (wearing a bike helmet).
Write a newspaper article on an unexpected “bad” event such as a tornado, car accident, or illness, and describe the effect the event would have on individuals and their families.
Read a children’s book and identify a character’s savings goal and whether the character meets the savings goal.
Draw a picture identifying the different places people can save their money. (Such as a piggy bank, the bank, a safe, etc.)
Create a budget for a set amount of allowance income (for example, $3,000) that includes expenses (buying of goods and services) and savings.
Watch the video about Henry Ford’s invention of the automobile assembly line. Write or explain how this invention impacted business productivity in the United States.
Read the information about the fur trade between the Native Americans and the Europeans. Use the graphic organizer to list the positive and negative effects of trade among the Native Americans, Europeans, and colonists.

Civics

The purpose of civics education is to provide children with an understanding of how democratic processes work, as well as how to engage in these processes. Children learn about the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of government and why these three branches must work together to pass and enforce the laws of the United States. Civics and government education are key in teaching children that government has limitations. Every citizen has Constitutional rights that cannot be taken away or violated. Children are now learning about the Bill of Rights and what the first ten amendments guarantee to America’s citizens. They are also learning about the important documents that shaped our country. Children are beginning to understand the true meaning of being an informed citizen.

Play various interactive games on iCivics. Choose from games such as “Win the White House,” “Cast Your Vote,” and “Race to Ratify,” just to name a few.
Take a virtual tour of the White House.
Children can pretend they are reporters for a newspaper and write an article about one of the candidates running for president or a local office.
Watch the video from School House Rock, “I’m Just A Bill.”
Children can identify what is necessary to become a citizen of the United States by playing Immigration Nation on iCivics.
Children can complete the I Am America activity.
Children can play this fun and interactive game on the Bill of Rights. Here’s the scenario: Something has happened to the National Computer and parts of the Bill of Rights are missing. It is your mission to find the missing parts of the Bill of Rights.
Discuss what it would be like if there were not any rules at home, school, and in the community. Ask your child why rules and laws important.
Show your child the Constitution of the United States. Explain to them that this document explains our rights and laws and it’s the supreme law of the land.

home-School Connection

Social Studies You Can Do at Home

Talk about important people from long ago.
Talk about important events from history.
Discuss the sequence of events.
Look at a calendar and identify celebrations and holidays.
Pull out a map or use a digital map to identify your location and your location in reference to other locations.
Discuss what it means to be a good citizen.
Visit the national archives (archives.gov) to explore primary sources.
Have your child sit with you while you pay a bill and explain how services cost money.
Visit the National Park Services website to see, learn, and take virtual tours of historic landmarks.

Social Studies You Can Say at Home

What made “Abraham Lincoln” an important person?
Tell me a bit more about “arriving at Ellis Island.”
Why did _______ happen?
What was the effect of _______?
How was life long ago different from life today?
How would a good citizen react in the following situation? (give various scenarios)
What are the consequences of _____? (not cleaning your room, eating too many sweets)
Instead of saying “You’re so smart”, praise effort, goal setting, persisting through challenges, or being creative.
Click to learn how to help your child develop a growth mindset.

Social Studies You Can Play at Home

Ask your child: How can you help people at home? How can you show respect for people in the community? Then have your child make posters that show ways to be a good citizen at home, in school, or in the community. Hang it up on your refrigerator!
Have your child write an interview with a historical figure. Roleplay with your child and have the parent be the interviewer and the child be the historical figure.
Go to https://www.icivics.org/games and play games about civics education.
Visit khanacademy.org to learn about a variety of social studies topics.
Dress up as an important person from history and perform a play.
Color or paint an important event from history, a map of your neighborhood, or how to help others.
Do a scavenger hunt around your house using directional words: north, east, south, and west.
Create a 5-frame comic strip demonstrating __________. (The American Revolution, how to help others, the life of MLK)

BCPS Resources by Quarter

Grade 4- Quarter 1

Click on the tabs below to view resources for each week.

Week 1

August 18-20

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can compare Native American tribes in Florida.

Watch the video Native Americans in Florida.

Watch the video The Miami Circle and the Tequesta Tribe

Write a paragraph about Native Americans using information from the videos.

Who were the Calusa Indians and where were they located?

Who were the Tequesta Indians and where were they located?

Who were the Timucua Indians and where were they located?

Who were the Apalachee Indians and where were they located?

Who were the Tocobaga Indians and where were they located?

Week 2

August 23-27

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can compare Native American tribes in Florida.

Watch the video Native Americans in Florida.

Watch the video The Miami Circle and the Tequesta Tribe.

Write a paragraph about Native Americans using information from the videos.

Who were the Calusa Indians and where were they located?

Who were the Tequesta Indians and where were they located?

Who were the Timucua Indians and where were they located?

Who were the Apalachee Indians and where were they located?

Who were the Tocobaga Indians and where were they located?

Week 3

August 30 - September 3

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can identify explorers who came to Florida and the motivations for their expeditions.

I can describe causes and effects of European colonization on the Native American tribes of Florida.

Watch the video Juan Ponce de Leon: Meet the Spanish Explorer Who Discovered Florida.

Take a walking tour of Augustine where Pedro Menendez landed in 1565.

Read and review the Timeline of Significant Events at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park Property.

Have your child create a timeline identifying significant events from the videos and the reading.

Who was Juan Ponce de Leon?

and why did he come to Florida?

Who was Hernando de Soto and why did he come to Florida?

Who was Pedro Menendez de Aviles and why did he come to Florida?

What happened to the Native Americans after the Europeans came?

Week 4

September 8-10

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain why we celebrate Patriot Day.

Required Instruction

Watch and discuss the video 9/11 Timeline.

Explore through an interactive tour the 9/11 Memorial and Museum

Have your child look at the photograph of the Firefighters raising the flag.

Have your child use the Photograph Analysis Worksheet to analyze the photograph of the firefighters.

What happened on September 11, 2001?

Why do we celebrate Patriot Day?

Week 5

September 13-17

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain the reason for Constitution Day and explain why it's important to learn about the Constitution.

Required Instruction

Watch the video The Constitution.

Have your child review The Constitution.

Have your child use the Written Document Analysis Worksheet to analyze The Constitution.

Have your child interact with the game Do I Have a Right?

What is the Constitution?

Why do we have a Constitution?

Why is it important to learn about the Constitution?

Week 6

September 21-24

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain the reason for the Declaration of Independence and explain why it's important to America's history.

Required Instruction

Watch the video The Declaration of Independence for Kids.

Have your child review the photographs of the Declaration of Independence.

Have your child use the Written Document Analysis Worksheet to analyze the documents.

Have your child interact with The Declaration of Independence Quiz

What is the Declaration of Independence?

Why is the Declaration of Independence important to the United States of America?

Week 7

September 27 - October 1

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can identify the significance of St. Augustine as the oldest permanent European settlement in the United States.

I can explain the purpose of and daily life of missions (San Luis de Talimali in resent-day Tallahassee).

I can identify the significance of Fort Mose as the first free African community in the United States.

Watch the video about Fort Mose.

Watch the video Augustine - First Colony.

Take a virtual tour of Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida.

Read and discuss with your child the letter titled Menendez lands his people and founds St. Augustine, Florida.

Have your child use the Written Document Analysis Worksheet to analyze the document.

Why is St. Augustine important to history?

What was daily life like on a mission?

What is Fort Mose?

Why was Fort Mose important?

Week 8

October 4-8

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can identify nations (Spain, France, England) that controlled Florida before it became a United States territory.

I can explain how the Seminole tribe formed and the purpose for their migration.

I can explain how Florida (Adams-Onis Treaty) became a U.S. territory.

Watch the video Seminole Indians.

Track the Seminole’s history using the Seminole History Timeline.

Watch the video Acquisition of Florida.

Have your child look at the photograph of the Seminole Indians.

Have your child use the Photograph Analysis Worksheet to analyze the photograph.

What other nations controlled Florida?

Which country controlled Florida first? Second? Third?

How did the Seminole tribe form?

Why did the Seminoles leave and form the Seminole tribe?

How did Florida become a US territory?

Week 9

October 11-15

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can identify important people of Hispanic heritage.

Required Instruction

Read the article Activist and Labor Organizer: Cesar Chavez.

Watch the video Cesar Chavez Biography for Kids.

Read the article Supreme Court Justices: Sonia Sotomayor.

Watch the video read aloud Sonia Sotomayor: a judge grows in the Bronx

Have your child choose either Cesar Chavez or Sonia Sotomayor and research them. After researching they will create a comic strip about who they choose using information gained from the video, reading, and research.

Who was Sonya Sotomayor?

Who is Cesar Chavez?

Who are other people of Hispanic heritage that have made a difference?

Grade 4 - Quarter 2

Click on the tabs below to view resources for each week.

Week 1

October 21-22

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain how and why the United States government was created.

I can define a constitution and discuss its purposes.

I can explain the definition and origin of rights.

Watch the video about Florida’s Constitution.

Use this website to provide background information about Florida’s Constitution.

Have the student play Law Craft.

Have your child compare and contrast Florida’s Constitution with the US Constitution.

What is the purpose of a constitution?

How is Florida’s Constitution similar to and different from the US Constitution?

Week 2

October 25-29

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can discuss public issues in Florida that impact the daily lives of its citizens.

I can identify ways citizens work together to influence government and help solve community and state problems.

Watch the video about Protecting the Everglades.

Watch the video about the Burmese Pythons invading the Florida Everglades.

Have your child make a poster that advertises the python problem in the Everglades. In the same poster, illustrate or write ways to help this problem.

What are issues that impact the daily lives of Florida’s citizens?

How do citizens work together to solve problems?

How do hurricanes impact the lives of Floridians?

What issues take place in the Everglades? How do citizens work to solve these problems?

Week 3

November 1-5

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain why we honor veterans.

Required Instruction

Have your child watch the video about Veterans Day.

Have your child watch the video What is Veterans Day?

Have your child log into their Newsela account and access the text titled Why Did Veterans Day Start?

Have your child write a letter to a veteran. Include why they are grateful for veterans.

What is a veteran?

Why is it important to honor veterans?

Why are veterans important to our country?

What are ways you can honor veterans?

Week 4

November 8-12

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain the importance of public service, voting, and volunteerism.

Watch the video about the importance of voting.

Have your child write about voting and public service using the given writing prompts.

Why is it important to participate in public service?

Why is it important to vote?

What are some things that citizens vote for?

What does it mean to volunteer?

How can you volunteer in your community? School?

Week 5

November 15-19
Student "I Can" Statement	Articles/Background Information	Resources	Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(Ren)
I can identify the three branches (Legislative, Judicial, Executive) of government in Florida and the powers of each.	Three Branches of Government video and game.	Have your child use the three-column t-chart to list information about the three branches of state government.	What are the three branches of government in Florida? What do the three branches do?

Week 6

November 29 - December 3

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can distinguish between state (governor, state representative, or senator) and local government (mayor, city commissioner).

Counties Work, learn how to manage local government by playing a county official responding to citizen requests!

Read about the Florida Governor and his responsibilities.

Watch the video about local government.

Have your child look at the William Pope Duval’s (Florida’s first territorial Governor) letters to President Andrew Jackson.

Have your child use the written document analysis to analyze the letters.

What is the difference between a governor and a mayor?

What are a governor’s responsibilities?

What are a mayor’s responsibilities?

Who is the governor now?

Who is our mayor?

Week 7

December 6-10

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can identify the causes and effects of the Seminole Wars.

Watch the video about the Seminole Wars.

Have your child write a paragraph about the Seminole Wars using information gained from the videos and the timeline.

What were the causes of the Seminole Wars?

What were the effects of the Seminole Wars?

Week 8

December 13-17

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain the effects of technological advances on Florida.

Have your child watch the video about Henry Flagler building the railroads in Florida.

Have your child watch the video about John Gorrie, inventor of the ice-making machine and known as the Father of Air-Conditioning.

Have your child pretend to be a newscaster and report to the family about the effects of the railroad system on Florida.

Who was Henry Flagler?

What did he contribute to Florida?

How did the railroad system effect Florida?

What advances was Florida able to make because of the railroad system?

Week 9

January 3-7

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can describe pioneer life in Florida.

I can analyze primary and secondary resources to identify significant individuals and events throughout Florida history.

Have your child watch the video about Pioneer Life in Florida.

Have your child look at the picture of the Pioneer Family in Florida.

Provide your child with a photograph analysis worksheet and have them analyze the photograph of the pioneer family.

What was pioneer life like in early Florida?

How was pioneer life different from life today?

How was pioneer life similar to life today?

How has Florida changed from long ago to today?

Grade 4 - Quarter 3

Click on the tabs below to view resources for each week.

Week 1

January 21-21

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can describe Florida's involvement (secession, blockades, the battles of Ft. Pickens, Olustee, Ft. Brooke, Natural Bridge, food supply) in the Civil War.

Have your child watch the video about Florida’s Involvement in the Civil War.

Read the timeline of events of Florida’s role in the Civil War.

Read the article about Florida’s role in the Civil War

Using supplies from around the house (shoebox, paper, crayons), pick a battle in Florida from the Civil War and recreate the battle.

How was Florida involved in the Civil War?

What does secession mean?

What happened at the Battle of Ft. Pickens? Olustee? Ft. Brooke? Natural Bridge?

How did Florida help with the food supply during the Civil War?

Week 2

January 24-28

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can summarize challenges Floridians faced during Reconstruction.

Have your child watch the video about Reconstruction.

Read the information about Reconstruction in Florida.

Write a paragraph about Reconstruction in Florida and the challenges Floridians faced during this time.

What was Reconstruction?

What were some of the challenges Florida faced during Reconstruction?

Week 3

January 31 - February 4

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can describe the causes and effects of the 1920's Florida land boom and bust.

Have your child read the text about Florida’s land boom and bust.

Watch the silent video about Florida’s land boom in the 1920s.

Create a poster advertising the cheap property available for purchase in Florida during the land boom.

Write a letter to a family member explaining the economic bust in Florida.

What was the Florida land boom in the 1920s?

What caused the Florida land boom?

What effect did the land boom have on Florida?

What caused the land bust?

What effect did the land bust have on Florida?

Week 4

February 7-11
Student "I Can" Statement	Articles/Background Information	Resources	Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(Ren)
I can summarize challenges Floridians faced during the Great Depression.	Read the article about the Great Depression. Watch the video about Key West, Florida during the Great Depression.	Choose a photograph of Florida during the Great Depression from the photo library. Analyze the photograph with a Photograph Analysis Worksheet	What was the Great Depression? What challenges did Florida face during the Great Depression?

Week 5

February 14-18

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain what method of protest was most effective on the Civil Rights Movement. Required Instruction

Read the Readworks article, Facing Challenges: Who Was Jackie Robinson

Visit the National Park Service – African American Heritage.

Visit the website: Black History Month

Why do we study Black History?

Who were the Tuskegee Airmen?

What was the Civil Rights Movement?

Week 6

February 21-25

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain what method of protest was most effective on the Civil Rights Movement. Required Instruction

Watch the video about Black History Month.

Read the text about the Civil Rights Movement.

Read the text about Ruby Bridges and her courageous journey.

Visit the Library of Congress to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement.

Look at the photograph of one of the Little Rock Nine.

Analyze the photograph with a Photograph Analysis Worksheet.

Who was Ruby Bridges?

How did she contribute to the Civil Rights Movement?

Who were the Little Rock Nine?

How did they contribute to the Civil Rights Movement?

Week 7

February 28 - March 4

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can identify Florida's role in World War II.

Watch the silent video of Floridians training for WWII.

Read the information to learn more about Florida’s role in WWII.

Visit this website to learn more about Florida and WWII.

Pick a photograph from the photo library of Florida during WWII.

Analyze the photograph with a Photograph Analysis Worksheet.

What role did Florida play during WWII?

How many Floridians fought in WWII?

Where was Camp Blanding?

What were Florida hotels used for during the training for WWII?

Week 8

March 7-11

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can utilize timelines to sequence key events in Florida history.

Watch the video about creating a timeline.

Create a timeline with 8-10 important events from Florida’s history using the digital timeline.

What happened first in Florida’s history?

What happened next in Florida’s history?

What happened after the Civil War in Florida?

What happened before the land bust in Florida?

How does a timeline help order the events of Florida's history?

Week 9

March 13-17

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can describe the contributions of significant individuals to Florida.

I can identify entrepreneurs from various social and ethnic backgrounds who have influenced Florida and local economy.

Have your child watch the video about Henry Flagler building the railroads in Florida.

Have your child watch the video about John Gorrie, inventor of the ice-making machine and known as the Father of Air-Conditioning.

Have your child watch the video about Henry Flagler and his contributions to Florida.

Have your child watch the video about Mary McLeod Bethune and her contributions to Florida.

Have your child pretend to be a newscaster and report to the family about the effects of the railroad system on Florida.

Make a poster advertising Henry Flagler’s railroad. Be sure to highlight how it will improve Florida’s economy.

Create a timeline of Mary McLeod Bethune’s life. Be sure to highlight her most significant achievements.

Who was Henry Flagler?

What did he contribute to Florida?

How did the railroad system effect Florida?

What advances was Florida able to make because of the railroad system?

Who was Mary McLeod Bethune?

How did she contribute to Florida?

Grade 4 - Quarter 4

Click on the tabs below to view resources for each week.

Week 1

March 28-April 1

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can describe how Florida's constitution protects the rights of citizens and provides for the structure, function, and purposes of state government.

Watch the video about Florida’s Constitution.

Use this website to provide background information about Florida’s Constitution.

Have the student play Law Craft.

Have your child compare and contrast Florida’s Constitution with the US Constitution.

What is the purpose of a constitution?

How is Florida’s Constitution similar to and different from the US Constitution?

Week 2

April 4-8

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can discuss public issues in Florida that impact the daily lives of its citizens.

I can identify ways citizens work together to influence government and help solve community and state problems.

Watch the video about Protecting the Everglades.

Watch the video about the Burmese Pythons invading the Florida Everglades.

Have your child make a poster that advertises the python problem in the Everglades. In the same poster, illustrate or write ways to help this problem.

What are issues that impact the daily lives of Florida’s citizens?

How do citizens work together to solve problems?

How do hurricanes impact the lives of Floridians?

What issues take place in the Everglades? How do citizens work to solve these problems?

Week 3

April 11-14

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain the importance of public service, voting, and volunteerism.

Watch the video about the importance of voting.

Have your child write about voting and public service using the given writing prompts.

Why is it important to participate in public service?

Why is it important to vote?

What are some things that citizens vote for?

What does it mean to volunteer?

How can you volunteer in your community? School?

Week 4

April 18-22
Student "I Can" Statement	Articles/Background Information	Resources	Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(Ren)
I can identify the three branches (Legislative, Judicial, Executive) of government in Florida and the powers of each.	Three Branches of Government video and game.	Have your child use the three-column t-chart to list information about the three branches of state government.	What are the three branches of government in Florida? What do the three branches do?

Week 5

April 25-29

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can distinguish between state (governor, state representative, or senator) and local government (mayor, city commissioner).

Counties Work, learn how to manage local government by playing a county official responding to citizen requests!

Read about the Florida Governor and his responsibilities.

Watch the video about local government.

Have your child look at the William Pope Duval’s (Florida’s first territorial Governor) letters to President Andrew Jackson.

Have your child use the written document analysis to analyze the letters.

What is the difference between a governor and a mayor?

What are a governor’s responsibilities?

What are a mayor’s responsibilities?

Who is the governor now?

Who is our mayor?

Week 6

May 2-6

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain how weather impacts Florida.

Have your child read about Hurricanes in Florida.

Watch the video Hurricanes 101.

Have your child look at the photographs of the damage caused by Hurricane Andrew. Choose one to analyze.

Have your child us a Photograph Analysis Worksheet to analyze the photograph

What is a hurricane?

How does a hurricane cause damage?

How can weather impact Florida?

What type of weather impacts Florida?

How can Floridians prepare for severe weather?

Week 7

May 9-13

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can identify physical features in Florida.

I can interpret political and physical maps using map elements (title, compass rose, cardinal directions, intermediate directions, symbols, legend, scale, longitude, latitude).

I can locate and label cultural features on a Florida map.

Have your child read Florida’s Land Then and Now

Have your child use the questions to check comprehension.

Have your child read Florida’s Water Then and Now

Have your child use the questions to check comprehension.

Have your child look at the old map of Florida from the 1500s.

Have your child use the Map Analysis Worksheet to analyze the map.

What are the physical features on land?

What are the physical water features?

What is the difference between a political and physical map?

How has the shape of Florida changed over time?

Week 8

May 16-27

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain why we celebrate Memorial Day. Required Instruction

Watch the video about Memorial Day.

Have your child create a memorial that honors soldiers for Memorial Day using items found at home.

Have your child write a letter to a soldier.

What is Memorial Day?

Who do we honor when we celebrate Memorial Day?

Why is it important to celebrate Memorial Day?

Week 9

May 31-June 9

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain the meaning of Flag Day and why it's important to celebrate Flag Day. Required Instruction

Watch the Flag Day video.

Have your child look at “Painting of the first flag”

Have your child use the Artwork Analysis.

When did Flag Day become a holiday?

What is Flag Day?

Why is it important to celebrate Flag Day?

Grade 5 - Quarter 1

Click on the tabs below to view resources for each week.

Week 1

August 18-20

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can use primary and secondary sources to understand history.

I can use timelines to identify and discuss American history time periods.

Watch and discuss the video Primary vs. Secondary Sources.

Watch the video How to Make a Timeline.

Have your child look at the photograph of Evora and Porfirio Bonet from the Library of Congress.

Have your child use the Photograph Analysis Worksheet to analyze the photograph.

Have your child create a timeline representing their history.

What is a primary source?

What is a secondary source?

What is a timeline?

How does a timeline help me understand history?

Week 2

August 23-27

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can use primary and secondary sources to understand history.

I can use timelines to identify and discuss American history time periods.

Watch and discuss the video Primary vs. Secondary Sources.

Watch the video How to Make a Timeline.

Have your child look at the photograph of Evora and Porfirio Bonet from the Library of Congress.

Have your child use the Photograph Analysis Worksheet to analyze the photograph.

Have your child create a timeline representing their history.

What is a primary source?

What is a secondary source?

What is a timeline?

How does a timeline help me understand history?

Week 3

August 30 - September 3

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can identify Native American tribes from different regions of North America.

I can compare the cultural aspects of Native American tribes from North America (shelter, clothing, food, art, etc.)

Watch the video Native Americans for Kids.

Read the book A Timeline History of Early American Indian Peoples.

Have your child write a three to five paragraph essay about the Early American Indian People using information gained from their reading and video.

What Native American tribes lived in North America in the 1500s?

What were some of the types of homes Native Americans lived in?

Week 4

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain why we celebrate Patriot Day.

Required Instruction

Watch and discuss the video 9/11 Timeline.

Explore through an interactive tour the 9/11 Memorial and Museum

Have your child look at the photograph of the Firefighters raising the flag.

Have your child use the Photograph Analysis Worksheet to analyze the photograph of the firefighters.

What happened on September 11, 2001?

Why do we celebrate Patriot Day?

Week 5

September 13-17

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain the reason for Constitution Day and explain why it's important to learn about the Constitution.

Required Instruction

Watch the video The Constitution.

Have your child review The Constitution.

Have your child use the Written Document Analysis Worksheet to analyze The Constitution.

Have your child interact with the game Do I Have a Right?

What is the Constitution?

Why do we have a Constitution?

Why is it important to learn about the Constitution?

Week 6

September 20-24

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain the reason for the Declaration of Independence and explain why it's important to America's history.

Required Instruction

Watch the video The Declaration of Independence for Kids.

Have your child review the photographs of the Declaration of Independence.

Have your child use the Written Document Analysis Worksheet to analyze the documents.

Have your child interact with The Declaration of Independence Quiz

What is the Declaration of Independence?

Why is the Declaration of Independence important to the United States of America?

Week 7

September 27 -September 30

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can investigate and research the European explorers.

Watch the video: European Explorers

Have your child research on the Internet, the different European explorers.

Choose one explorer and write a brief summary of the expedition.

What were some of the tools that early explorers used to travel to the New World?

Who were the explorers that traveled to North America?

Week 8

October 1-8

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can compare the Federalist and Anti-Federalist views of government.

Article: U.S. Constitution

Have your child review at least one Federalist and one Anti-federalist paper.

What was the purpose of the Federalist papers?

Who created the Federalist and Anti-Federalist papers

Week 9

October 11-19
Student "I Can" Statement	Articles/Background Information	Resources	Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)
I can compare forms of political participation in the colonial period to today.	Read the article from America's Library: Colonial America	Watch the following video: The History of Colonial America	What was life for children like in Colonial America?

Grade 5 - Quarter 2

Click on the tabs below to view resources for each week.

Week 1

October 21-22

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain how and why the United States government was created.

I can define a constitution and discuss its purposes.

I can explain the definition and origin of rights.

Video: The Bill of Rights-Pretty Important and Very Epic

Visit archives.gov with your child and preview the U.S. Constitution as it was written in 1776.

Have your child research the Bill of Rights and have a discussion as to why the Bill of Rights was needed.

What is a government?

Why did America need a new government?

Why did America need a constitution?

Week 2

October 25-29

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can describe how concerns about individual rights led to the inclusion of the Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution.

I can compare the Federalist and Anti-Federalist views of government.

Watch the video: Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers for Kids

Watch the following video with your child: The U.S. Constitution

What are individual rights?

Why did the Founding Fathers include a Bill of Rights in the Constitution?

What are the Federalist Papers?

Week 3

November 2-6

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can compare cultural aspects of ancient American civilizations (Aztecs/Mayas; Mound Builders/Anasazi/Inuit).

I can identify Native American tribes from different geographic regions of North America (cliff dwellers and Pueblo people of the desert Southwest, coastal tribes of the Pacific Northwest, nomadic nations of the Great Plains, woodland tribes east of the Mississippi River).

Have your child read the following articles:

History of the Mayans from History.com

Watch the following videos on the Aztec and the Mayans:

The Aztec for Kids

Exploring Maya Civilizations for Kids

The Lost Civilization of the Mayans

What were the ancient civilizations?

What happened to the ancient civilizations?

Who were the Aztec where did they live?

Who were the Mayans and where did they live?

Week 4

November 9-13

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain why we honor Veterans on Veteran's Day. Required Instruction

Read the following articles: Veterans Day History

Watch the following videos on Veteran’s Day

History of Veteran’s Day

Veteran’s Day Facts for Kids

Why do we honor veterans on Veteran’s Day?

What can I do to honor veterans on Veteran’s Day?

Week 5

November 15-19

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can analyze how the Constitution has expanded voting rights from our nation’s early history to today.

I can evaluate the importance of civic responsibilities in American democracy. .

Have your child read the following article:

Newsela article: The Difference Between a Republic and a Democracy

Have your child watch the following video:

Video: What is a Democracy?

How is the Constitution different today than it was when it was originally written?

What are civic responsibilities?

How can I be a better citizen?

Week 6

November 29 - December 3

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can describe the organizational structure (legislative, executive, judicial branches) and powers of the federal government as defined in Articles I, II, and III of the U.S. Constitution.

I can explain how popular sovereignty, rule of law, separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, and individual rights limit the powers of the federal government as expressed in the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Video: The 3 Branches of the Government for Kids

Video: The Articles of the Constitution

Newsela article: The Supreme Court

Read the following articles with your child:

Readworks article: Checks and Balances

Readworks article: Federal Versus State Government

What does the legislative branch of the government do?

What does the executive branch of the government do?

Week 7

December 6-10

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can give examples of powers granted to the federal government and those reserved for the states

I can describe the amendment process as defined in Article V of the Constitution and give examples.

Video: How It Happens-State Versus Federal Government

Have your child sign on to iCivics to play the game: Branches of Power

What is an amendment?

What is an example of an amendment?

Why do states have different laws?

Week 8

December 13-17

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can compare cultural aspects of Native American tribes from different regions of North America.

I can describe the interactions among Native Americans, Africans, English, French, Dutch, and Spanish for control of North America.

I can explain how the westward expansion affected the Native Americans.

Watch the video: Native American tribes and their Cultures 1491-1607

Readworks.org, Life in the Colonies

Watch the documentary: Indigenous People of North America

Have your child choose a tribe and make a poster of the tribe's shelter, food, clothing, etc.

What is trade?

How did trade impact early Native tribes?

Why were Native tribes different?

Week 9

January 3-7

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can describe technological developments that shaped European exploration.

I can describe the causes and effects of the Louisiana Purchase.

I can identify roles and contributions of significant people during the period of westward expansion.

I can examine 19^th Century advancements (canals, roads, steamboats, flat boats, overland wagons, Pony Express, railroads) in transportation and communication.

Watch the video: The French Explorers in America

Watch the following video:

Westward Expansion

The Surprisingly Short History of the Pony Express

What was the Louisiana Purchase?

How did the westward expansion affect the Native Americans?

Grade 5- Quarter 3

Click on the tabs below to view resources for each week.

Week 1

January 12 - 21

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can identify and explain significant events leading up to the American Revolution.

I can identify significant individuals and groups that played a key role in the American Revolution.

Read the Newsela article, Protests in Boston, 1770

Watch the video: Patriots vs. Loyalists

Watch the video: The Boston Tea Party

Watch the video: Snow and Gunpowder-The Boston Massacre for Kids

What was the Boston Massacre?

What was the Boston Tea Party?

Who were the leaders of the Patriots?

What is a Loyalist?

Week 2

January 24 - 28

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can examine the significance of the Constitution including key political concepts, origins of those concepts and their role in American democracy.

I can explain the significance of historical documents including key political concepts, origins of those concepts and their role in American Independence.

Read the Newsela article, Creating the U.S. Constitution

Read the Readworks.org article, The Bill of Rights

Watch the video: The U.S. Constitution for Kids

Watch the video: The Federalist Papers

Visit the National Archives to view the important documents in American history: https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs

What was the Declaration of Independence?

What is a constitution?

Who wrote the U.S. Constitution?

What were the Federalist papers?

Week 3

January 31 - February 4

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can examine and compare major battles and military campaigns of the American Revolution.

I can identify the contributions of foreign alliances and individuals to the outcome of the Revolution.

Read the Newsela article, The Battle at Yorktown

Watch the video, Major Battles of the Revolutionary War

Visit the website: Revolutionary War Sites- https://youtu.be/qnSwKWRL8i4

What was Valley Forge?

Who was the leader of the Continental Army?

What is the significance of Yorktown?

What countries were America’s allies in the Revolutionary War?

Week 4

February 7 - 11

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can discuss the impact and significance of land policies developed under the Confederation Congress (Northwest Ordinance of 1787)

Read the article , The Articles of Confederation

Watch the video: Expanding America, the -Northwest Ordinance

What was the Northwest Ordinance?

What was the Confederation Congress?

How important was the expansion of the U.S?

Week 5

February 14 - 18

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can describe the causes and effects of the Louisiana Purchase.

I can identify roles and contributions of significant people during the westward expansion.

I can explain the importance of the explorations west of the Mississippi.

Read the Newsela article, The Westward Expansion-The Louisiana Purchase

Read the article, Sacagawea

Visit the Louisiana Purchase website: https://www.monticello.org/thomas-jefferson/louisiana-lewis-clark/the-louisiana-purchase/

Watch the video: The Louisiana Purchase for Kids

What was the Louisiana Purchase?

Who owned the Louisiana Territory?

What president secured the purchase of the Louisiana Territory?

Who was Meriwether Lewis and William Clark?

Who was Sacagawea?

Week 6

February 21 - 25

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain why it's important to honor Black History Month. Required Instruction

Read the Readworks.org article, Facing Challenges: Who Was Jackie Robinson

Visit the National Park Service – African American Heritage.

Visit the website: Black History Month https://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/

Why do we study Black History?

Who were the Tuskegee Airmen?

What was the Civil Rights Movement?

Week 7

February 28 - March 4

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can identify the causes of the War of 1812.

I can explain the how the westward expansion affected the Native Americans.

Newsela article, The War of 1812

Watch the video: The 2nd War for Independence

What countries were involved in the War of 1812?

Who was the president during the War of 1812?

Week 8

March 7 - 11

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain why it’s important to honor women for Women’s History Month. Required Instruction.

I can examine and explain the changing roles and impact of significant women during the American Revolution?

Newsela article, Women Whose Words Inflamed the Revolution

Watch the video from Studies Weekly: Women’s History Month- https://youtu.be/VR8SU2u9ULY

Visit the website: WomensHistory.gov

Why do we honor women for Women’s History Month?

Who was Molly Pitcher?

What were the roles of women in war?

Week 9

March 13 - 17

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can discuss the concept of the Manifest Destiny.

I can describe the causes and effects of the Missouri Compromise.

I can describe the hardships of settlers along the overland trails to the west.

Read the Readworks.org article, Westward Expansion

Watch the video: The Manifest Destiny Explained

Watch the video: Life on the Oregon Trail

Visit the website: Pioneers Talk- Stories of the Oregon Trail: https://oregontrailcenter.org/pioneers-talk

What was the Manifest Destiny?

What was the Missouri Compromise?

Why did people choose to move west?

How difficult was the travel along the Oregon Trail?

Grade 5- Quarter 4

Click on the tabs below to view resources for each week.

Week 1

March 28 - April 1

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can identify the economic, political, and socio-cultural motivation for colonial settlement.

I can demonstrate an understanding of political, economic, and social aspects of daily colonial life in the thirteen colonies.

Watch the video Life in the Thirteen Colonies

Have your child choose one of the original 13 colonies and write a paragraph on the daily life of a child. Be sure they include: education, chores, games, etc.

What political motivation did colonists have for settling in the New World?

What economic impact did the colonies have on Great Britain?

What was daily life like in the 13 colonies?

Week 2

April 4 - 8

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain the importance of Triangular Trade linking Africa, the West Indies, the British Colonies, and Europe.

I can describe the introduction, impact, and role of slavery in the colonies.

Watch the video The Triangular Trade Route for Kids

Read the Newsela article and Review the Map, The Triangular Trade Route

Utilize the Storyboard That website for your child to learn more about the Triangular Trade.

What was the Triangular Trade route?

Why was the Triangular Trade route important to the colonists?

What impact did the slave trade have on the colonies

Week 3

April 11 - 22

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can identify how trade promoted economic growth in North America from pre-Columbian times to 1850.

I can describe a market economy and give examples of how the colonial and early American economy exhibited these characteristics.

I can trace the development of technology and the impact of major inventions on business productivity during the early development of the United States.

Watch the video, Economics in the Colonies

Watch the video, Inventions in America’s Growth

Watch the video: What is a market economy?

Have your child choose an invention from the late 1700s to the early 1800s that impacted the economy in the United States. Have your child write a paragraph answering the following question: Why was this invention important to the growth of America?

How did trade grow in the early days of colonial America?

What is a market economy?

What are some examples of a market economy?

What characteristics did the colonies have that promoted the market economy?

Week 4

April 25 - 29

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can recognize the positive and negative effects of voluntary trade among Native Americans, European explorers, and colonists.

Watch the video: Life for the Native Americans after the European Settlements

Read the article, Tensions between the Native Americans and the Early Settlers

What were the negative effects of trade with the Native Americans?

What were the positive effects of trade with the Native Americans?

Week 5

May 2 - 6

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can describe the push-pull factors (economy, natural hazards, tourism, climate, physical features) that influenced boundary changes within the United States.

I can interpret current and historical information using a variety of geographic tools.

Watch the video: Push-Pull for Kids

Watch the video: Geographic Tools

Have your child research a geographic tool and explain how that tool helps us learn about social studies.

What does push-pull in economics mean?

What are some examples of geographic tools?

How do geographic tools help us to learn about history?

Week 6

May 9 - 13

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can use latitude and longitude to locate places.

I can identify major United States physical features on a map of North America.

I can construct maps, charts, and graphs to display geographic information.

I can identify and locate the original thirteen colonies on a map of the

United States.

I can locate and identify states, capitals, and the United States Territories on a map.

Watch the video: Longitude and Latitude for Kids

Read the article, Longitude and Latitude

Read the National Geographic article on longitude and latitude with your child. Complete one of the activities from that page.

What is latitude?

What is longitude?

What type of map shows the physical features of North America?

What are the Territories of the United States?

Week 7

May 16 - 20

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can use geographic knowledge and skills when discussing current events.

I can use geography concepts and skills such as recognizing patterns, mapping, graphing to find solutions for local, state, and national problems.

Watch the video: Current Events Crash Course for Kids

Watch the video: Nightly News for Kids

Read the articles, Current Event Pairings

What are current events?

How do I use geography skills to understand current events?

What are patterns in geography?

Week 8

May 23 - 27

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain why we celebrate Memorial Day. Required Instruction

Watch the video about Memorial Day.

Have your child create a memorial that honors soldiers for Memorial Day using items found at home.

Have your child write a letter to a soldier.

What is Memorial Day?

When is Memorial Day?

Why do we celebrate Memorial Day?

Week 9

May 31 - June 9

Student "I Can" Statement

Articles/Background Information

Resources

Questions Parents Can Ask Their Child(ren)

I can explain why it's important to celebrate Flag Day. Required Instruction

Watch the Flag Day video.

Have your child look at “Painting of the First Flag”

Have your child use the Artwork Analysis.

What is Flag Day?

Why do we celebrate Flag Day?

When do we celebrate Flag Day?