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Social Studies
Scope & Sequence |
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Social Studies Curriculum
 A. The History of Our United States
This Abeka textbook is a narrative approach to American history that brings to life famous people; major events; changes in ways of travel, communication, and thinking; and the principles that made America great. The visual features make the student's first formal study of United States history positive and enjoyable. Important concepts are underlined; important names and terms printed in bold type. Many chapters include a time line. Each chapter contains review questions and a Chapter Checkup.
B. Pennsylvania: Our People, Places, and Past
This text is designed according to PA state’s adopted Academic Standards for History, Geography, Government, Economics, Ecology, and Science and Technology. The textbook is more than a PA-specific text because it addresses national issues in history, geography, and government. For this reason, we are able to combine both textbooks effortlessly while still covering the integral aspects our American history.
Website: http://www.pennsvalleypublishers.com/assets/r_pellow/thinkact_webresPA.htm
Unit 1: The New World
Our first social studies unit of the year covers maps, geography and the age of exploration. During this unit, students will be able to do the following:
· Name the 7 continents and 4 oceans and label them on a map
· Identify the equator and prime meridian on a map and as lines of longitude and latitude
· Identify the four hemispheres (northern, southern, eastern, western) on a map
· Use longitude and latitude to locate positions on a map
· Identify and define geographic features (landforms and bodies of water)
Unit 2: The Physical Characteristics of Places and Regions
During this unit, students will:
· Locate and identify the thirteen colonies on a map and classify the colonies by region
· Locate important places of colonial history in Pennsylvania
· Identify the 5 regions of PA
· Use proper geographic terms to describe PA’s regions and their physical features
Online Resources:
· The 13 American Colonies
This fun, illustrated article describes the 13 American Colonies in detail, from economics to religion to agriculture to revolution. Also includes a clickable map with links to individual descriptions of each colony and a list of the first European settlements in North America. Outstanding resource! http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/13colonies1.htm
· Clickable map of the 13 Colonies with descriptions of each colony:
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/graphics/13mapnew.htm
Unit 3: Early Pennsylvania
During this unit, students will:
· Discover the early people and settlements of PA
· Identify the human characteristics of places and regions by their cultural characteristics
Unit 4: Paving the Way to the American Revolution
The First Great Awakening, dating from the 1730s to the 1770s, first appeared in the mid-Atlantic colonies, transitioned to New England, and reached a culmination of sorts in the South. It left in its wake a legacy of debate and division. This entire movement began the fight for freedom of religion to America and eventually opened up the fight for independence from Britain’s rule. Students will:
· See the Biblical truths of the Great Awakening
· Label the territories of America and 13 colonies of Colonial America in 1754 before the French and Indian War
Events leading up to the French and Indian War and how it affected the United States afterwards in the form of the American Revolution will be questioned and studied. Students will:
· Discover that British victory gains territory but left Britain weakened
· Discover that American colonists began to see themselves as more independent of Britain
Unit 5: The American Revolution
In order for students to understand why the American colonies declared their independence, the students should be able to relate to that which is held most dearly i.e. life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Students will:
· understand the grievances of the American colonists and develop a working knowledge of the events and battles that surrounded the American Revolutionary War.
Online Resources:
- The American Revolution Audio/MIDI playing Yankee Doodle
http://www.gmajormusictheory.org/Freebies/Primer/pYankeeD.mid - Revolutionary War Quiz
Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death! A Revolutionary War Quiz Patrick Henry's immortal words captured the spirit of rebellion of the American colonies, but do you know what all the fuss was about? Test your knowledge of the conflict with this Revolutionary War quiz! Be forewarned: It gets harder as you go along.
Unit 6: The Growth of a New Nation
Overview: Formation of a New Government, New Nation - 1761-1800, Expansion and Reform - 1801-1855, PA Growth and Development During this unit, students will:
· identify several weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
· note what the Constitutional Convention was, and when and where it occurred
· identify the important factors and reasoning behind western emigration.
· begin to comprehend the feelings and lifestyle associated with early westward expansion.
Unit 7: Our National State and Local Governments
Overview: Students will describe what government is and explain the purposes of rules, laws, and why they are important in the classroom, school, community, state, and nation.
Online Resources:
Unit 8: PA and the 50 States
During this unit, students will be studying the 50 states and finishing up PA.
Online Resources:
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Mrs. Walker's 4th Grade Website
Hershey Christian School
P.O. Box 378
Hershey, PA
17033
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