5th Grade Curriculum

Social Studies

In Social Studies class we will be using three main books as our texts.

• Steck-Vaughn Map Skills
• Prentice Hall World Explorer, The United States and Canada
• Prentice Hall World Explorer, Latin America

These texts stress the social studies competencies of:

• Map and Global Skills
• Critical Thinking Skills
• Chart, Graph, and Illustration Skills
• Reading and Writing Skills
• Study and Research Skills

Students will begin the year by reviewing and strengthening map and global skills. This will be done by developing a portfolio of maps based upon a particular state of the United States.

Our study of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America will focus on understanding these regions of the world through their geographic features. We will also look at the history and culture of each region to gain a better understanding of the forces and traditions that have helped to shape each region.

Visual presentations and the use of educational technology will be utilized to show students what different areas of the world look like. Material will be presented through the use of textbooks, maps, video, and Internet.

Assessment will be through the use of student notebooks, assignments, mapping exercises, quizzes, and tests. If you would like to do an enrichment lesson to complement the material the students are learning in class please feel free to contact us.