Grade 5 Social Studies

  • Social Studies and History Grade 5                         

     

    WHAT YOUR CHILD WILL LEARN IN 5th GRADE

     

    Research & Historical Thinking

    • Distinguish fact from fiction by comparing documentary sources on historical figures and events with fictionalized characters and events. 
      Identify Indigenous tribes. Examine the way Indigenous tribes lived. 
    • Identify major explorers and trace the routes for exploration. 
    • Summarize and sequence the events leading to the American Revolution. 
    • Identify individuals and groups that have contributed to the early development of early New Haven and the United States. 
    • Use inquiry and communication skills to report findings in charts, graphs, written, and verbal form. 
    • Examine the challenges faced and the contributions made by various cultural groups to American society.
    • Describe the historical movements that influenced the development of early New Haven and the United States from pre-Columbian times up to 1877 with an emphasis on the American Revolution and the founding of the United States. 

     

    Civics

    • Explain what it means to be citizens of their community, state, and nation.
    • Identify characteristics of a good citizen living in the community.
    • Identify the functions and the major positions of authority in the community and describe the services provided by local government.
    • Use a variety of resources to gather information about the government in their community and other communities around the world.
    • Demonstrate understanding of democratic principles and practices.
    • Identify and examine constitutional documents and the structure and operation of state governments.
    • Describe the components and characteristics of regional forms of government.
    • Explain citizenship rights and responsibilities and how they have changed over time.
    • Investigate civic and political issues and problems.
    • Demonstrate responsible citizenship by exercising civic virtues and participation skills.
    • Identify the three branches of government and how they relate to each other. Demonstrate an understanding of the Bill of Rights.
    • Identify main components and characteristics of early New Haven and the United States government.
    • Identify and explain key ideas in government from the colonial and founding periods that continue to shape civic and political life.

     

    Geography 

    • Explain that latitude and longitude are used to locate places on maps and globes.
    • Use local, regional, and thematic maps to research early settlements in America.
    • Examine the geographical significance of the location of early American colonial settlements as related to coastal areas, mountains, rivers, plains.
    • Describe the major physical features of each of the states and major cities of the United States.
    • Describe how geographic regions change over time.

     

    Economics

    • Recognize economic resources of each region studied in the United States. Understand how the geography of a region dictates economic development.
    • Describe the productive resources and market relationships that influence the way people produce goods and services and earn a living in early New Haven and the United States in different historical periods. (influence of technology and mass media)

     

    Diversity

    • Investigate the way that individuals and groups cooperate to adapt to the environment and resolve conflicts.
    • Analyze the roles and relationships of diverse groups of people contributing to the United States and early New Haven's cultural heritage.

     

    How You Can Help Your Child

    • Foster a positive attitude towards the subject matter and explore ways to engage your child in learning about social studies.
    • Show an interest in what they are learning in school, discuss concepts with them and give them examples of social studies from their daily lives that they can relate to.
    • Strengthen your child's willingness to express their opinion and positively contribute to classroom discussion by sharing stories about their family heritage instilling pride and confidence in who they are.
    • Visit local and national museums (whenever possible) during weekends and school breaks to uncover the history of different cultures.
    • Aid and assist your students when assigned research projects and simulation exercises that corroborate and build upon knowledge of social students' concepts.
    • Social Studies is a subject that requires lots of reading, therefore it is important to provide your child with access to rich, relevant and engaging subject matter. Visit your local library and make sure that you and your child each have a library card. This allows growth in content knowledge but also helps support reading comprehension skills.