Norris School District, Curriculum

Fourth Grade Social Studies

TEXTBOOKS

                None

DESCRIPTION

                First quarter is spent teaching map skills to all fourth grade students.  The text used is comprised of 30 separate map skill lessons.  Second and third quarter studies revolve around Nebraska history from territory to statehood.  Regions of the United States, including the location of states and capitals, are studied in the fourth quarter.

OBJECTIVES

                1.                Students will identify cardinal and intermediate directions on any                                                                                 map. (4.19)

                2.                Students will locate and label the 7 continents and the 4 major                                                                                             oceans in the correct hemispheres. (4.21)

3.                   Students will demonstrate and explain geographical symbols on any map. (4.19)

4.             Students will measure distance on a map using map scale, chart and graph populations, make population comparisons, use and make bar and       pictographs. (4.23)

5.                Students will use coordinates on any map or globe to find specific locations. (4.19)

6.                Students will compare and contrast the Native American tribes of Nebraska. (4.7)  (4.2)

7.             Students will explain the Louisiana Purchase citing who, what, when, where, and why.  (4.7)

8.                Students explain the Homestead Act citing who, what, when, where, and why.  (4.7)

9.             Students will name and locate on a continental map three trails pioneers used to migrate west.  (4.7)

10.                Students will be able to locate Nebraska and identify major cities and waterways within the state. (4.21)

11.                Students will explain Nebraska’s economic value on Midwest, national and international markets. (4.13)

12.                Students will identify and describe Nebraska’s Unicameral.  (4.27)

13.                Students will identify and label all 50 states and capitals in the U.S. (4.20)

WRITING ACTIVITIES

1.             Students create fictional characters and write journal entries as we cross the Oregon Trail.

                2.                Students write to other state departments of Tourism to get information about the state and region.

                3.                Because of our Heritage School field trip, we write in the past, present, and                                                                future how school life was 100 years ago, write to each other about the trip and  write to next years class about the experience.

MULTICULTURE EDUCATION ACTIVITIES

                1.                In our Literature Groups, we study famous African-Americans in conjunction  with Black History month.

                2.                As we discuss the settling of our nation, we talk about the first explorers that  ventured across our new land.  This includes Spanish, French, and Mexican explorers whose influence is still with us today.

                3.                In our study of Native Americans, we discuss the similarities and differences between a Native American family of 150 years ago and the current lifestyle of   today.