Social Studies

Grade 5 Social Studies Syllabus:

From ‘New World’ to…Colonies to…Country:

Class Overview:

Goals / Objectives: 

• The process of becoming a semi-independent student.

  • Research, writing, use of technology, formulating logical arguments.

• Critical thinking; learning the appropriate skills and perspectives to participate in American society. 

• Respect of people, their beliefs and actions within the context of their time and situation while still able to gauge the morality of their actions through the lens of our Christian faith.

• Appreciate America’s unique history in the context of global existence.

• Acknowledge American individualism while also recognizing “E pluribus unum”.

Grading:

All graded assignments will be given a point value (50 points for simple “pop” quizzes, up-to 200 points for more significant announced quizzes, projects, long form open response essays, etc.) the total number of points available divided by the total number of assignments equals your final numerical grade. 

No individual grade will be dependent upon “group” work. 

Teacher’s prerogative to add a point or two to a student’s final grade if the student has consistently demonstrated a positive attitude and contributed in a beneficial manner to the classroom atmosphere.

Classroom Dynamics & Expectations:

We will be discussing numerous sensitive topics as we learn about our past. Being respectful of those topics and to discuss them in as mature and insightful a way as possible. 

Be respectful of peers and their ideas and beliefs.

Students must be responsible for their actions.

If an issue arises I expect students to speak to me directly, in confidence.

Social Studies Topics & Lessons: (To be covered throughout the year)

Learning to think like an historian…

Why do we study history?... Where in time?... 

Cause and Effect… 

Where in the World?... 

Civics:…

Basic Economics… 

Living History…

History: 

• America Prior to European Incursion.

• Backstory of Europe circa 1400-1700:

  • Age of Explorers and Exploitation. 

  • Great Britain was relatively late colonizing the Americas.

• People to know: Colonial America: 

  • The fight for America; King Philip's War (1675-1676)

From Colonies to Country circa 1735-1783: 

    A successful Insurrection/Rebellion is a Revolution.

• The French and Indian War 

• Rebels Unite; 

• Rebels Rebel; 

• Rebellion Becomes Revolution! How the colonies defeated the British.

People to know: Revolutionary America: 

Colonies become a country; The United States of America

America looks west; Was expansion inevitable?