Social Studies
Fifth grade students will study the early history of the Americas. The study will begin with the ancient civilizations of the Americas (Aztec, Incas, Mayans). It will include the more recent Native American populations, as well as the exploration and colonization of the Western Hemisphere. Students will also study geography and government.
Geography
In this unit, students will learn geographic terms and features. Topics include longitude and latitude, continents and oceans, and land forms. Students will explore how humans affect the land and how the land has affected human settlement.
Ancient Civilizations
In this unit, students will learn about the early Indian civilizations of the Maya, Aztec, Inca and Mississippian. They will learn about these people's unique governments, social structures, religions, technologies, and agricultural practices and products.
Native Americans
In this unit, students will learn that American Indians developed unique cultures with many different ways of life. American Indian tribes and nations can be classified into cultural groups based on geographic and cultural similarities.
Explorers
In this unit, students will learn that European exploration and colonization had lasting effects which can be used to understand the Western Hemisphere today. The Western Hemisphere is culturally diverse due to American Indian, European, Asian and African influences and interactions, as evidenced by artistic expression, language, religion and food.
Colonial America
In this unit, we will discuss early English settlements in America, including Roanoke, Jamestown, Plymouth, and Massachusetts Bay. Students will study colonial regions, life in the colonies, and reasons for founding each colony. European exploration and colonization had lasting effects which can be used to understand the Western Hemisphere today.
Government
Students will learn about the three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Also, we will study the important documents written by our Founding Fathers, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Students will learn about the many types of government: democracies, dictatorships, monarchies.
Economics
In this unit, students will learn about the availability of productive resources and the division of labor and how they impact productive capacity. They will understand that workers can improve their ability to earn income by gaining new knowledge, skills,and experiences.
How you Can Help Your Child
I recommend you encourage your child to read historical fiction and nonfiction books related to this era in history. As we study each chapter, students will complete a chapter organizer / study guide (we call them notes). These are a great resource to quickly review key concepts. You can find a copy of blank chapter organizers on the sub-menu page for each chapter.
Geography
In this unit, students will learn geographic terms and features. Topics include longitude and latitude, continents and oceans, and land forms. Students will explore how humans affect the land and how the land has affected human settlement.
Ancient Civilizations
In this unit, students will learn about the early Indian civilizations of the Maya, Aztec, Inca and Mississippian. They will learn about these people's unique governments, social structures, religions, technologies, and agricultural practices and products.
Native Americans
In this unit, students will learn that American Indians developed unique cultures with many different ways of life. American Indian tribes and nations can be classified into cultural groups based on geographic and cultural similarities.
Explorers
In this unit, students will learn that European exploration and colonization had lasting effects which can be used to understand the Western Hemisphere today. The Western Hemisphere is culturally diverse due to American Indian, European, Asian and African influences and interactions, as evidenced by artistic expression, language, religion and food.
Colonial America
In this unit, we will discuss early English settlements in America, including Roanoke, Jamestown, Plymouth, and Massachusetts Bay. Students will study colonial regions, life in the colonies, and reasons for founding each colony. European exploration and colonization had lasting effects which can be used to understand the Western Hemisphere today.
Government
Students will learn about the three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Also, we will study the important documents written by our Founding Fathers, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Students will learn about the many types of government: democracies, dictatorships, monarchies.
Economics
In this unit, students will learn about the availability of productive resources and the division of labor and how they impact productive capacity. They will understand that workers can improve their ability to earn income by gaining new knowledge, skills,and experiences.
How you Can Help Your Child
I recommend you encourage your child to read historical fiction and nonfiction books related to this era in history. As we study each chapter, students will complete a chapter organizer / study guide (we call them notes). These are a great resource to quickly review key concepts. You can find a copy of blank chapter organizers on the sub-menu page for each chapter.
RESOURCES
- History Alive! Interactive Lesson Tutorials - A great resource to study for tests!
- Primary Source Documents - A compilation of primary source documents that span American history