Norris School District, Curriculum

Fith Grade Social Studies

TEXTBOOKS

            America’s Story, Harcourt Brace and Company, 1997

DESCRIPTION

The fifth grade curriculum is the study of American History.  This study will include the early exploration of the Americas, the 13 Colonies, the establishment of a new government, the Revolutionary War, the Westward expansion, and the Civil War.  In addition, students will use learned geography skills to more advanced map interpretation.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1.             Students will be able to identify the reasons for establishing new routes                between Europe and Asia which led to the exploration of the Americas and the                 eventual establishment of permanent settlements by Spain, France, the Netherlands and England. (8.1.2)    

2.         Students will be able to compare and contrast the economic, political and religious

 reasons for the establishment of the 13 colonies. (8.1.3)

3.             Students will be able to identify and describe the British restrictions and demands on the 

               colonists that led to the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War. ( 8.1.3)

4.          Students will be able to compare and contrast the establishment of a new                      government from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution, including the         Bill of Rights. 

                (8.1.4) (8.1.5)

5.               Students will be able to cite reasons for the growth of the U.S. from the original 13

       English colonies to a nation that spanned the continent by the middle of  the 1800’s.

              (8.1.6)

6.         Students will be able to describe the immigration of ethnic groups and identify the reasons                  for their coming to America. (8.1.2)

7.            Students will be able to explain how the expansion into the west affected the way of life of    

Native Americans living there. (8.1.10)

8.                Students will be able to list and describe the events leading up to and causing the Civil    

              War and the rebuilding of the nation afterwards. (8.1.7)

9.             Students will be able to compare and contrast the cultures that played a part in the development of the U.S. from early exploration through the Civil War. (8.1.10)

10.           Students will be able to apply learned geography skills to interpret information on a state,      United States and world map. (8.1.9)

11.           Students will be able to gather and discuss current events through the use of  multiple resources.

12.           Students will be able to use various forms of writing throughout their study of American History, including but not limited to journals, diaries, news reports, book reports,  reports of historical topics and interviews. (8.1.10)

WRITING ACTIVITIES 

            See #12 of Objectives

MULTICULTURAL ACTIVITIES

1.             Students will have the opportunity to learn about the contributions and beliefs of the people who conquered or colonized the Americas.

2.             Students will have the opportunity to analyze the relationship between the early  American settlers and Native Americans.

3.             Students will have the opportunity to study the contributions made by African   Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans in early American history.