Social Studies 5 A/B

Segment A of Social Studies 5 begins with a broad survey and review of world geography, reinforcing concepts and terms from prior courses, and then moves toward an understanding of the importance that physical geography has had on the development and success of nations around the world. The focus then narrows to the Western Hemisphere and explores the cultures of the Native Americans, including Mayans, Aztec, Plains and Eastern Woodlands Indians. Students will study the age of colonization and analyze the conflict brought about by this movement. They will take a fresh look at the United States’ long road to independence.

Segment B of Social Studies 5 will look at how major issues of expansion challenged the stability of the nation. Social, political and economic opportunities and problems arose from changes in technology. The Civil War was a defining moment in our country’s history. Political, economic, and social factions within a country sometimes lead to conflict. The United States did, however, help turn the tide for an Allied victory in WW I. Students will learn how the United States emerged as a world power with influence which spanned the globe, and how new technologies helped produce a new mass culture in the 1920’s. They will learn that with power comes responsibility.

PRE-REQUISITES: None

ESTIMATED COMPLETION TIME: 32-36 weeks or approximately 125 – 135 hours

 

MAJOR TOPICS AND CONCEPTS — SEGMENT A

Geography Skills

  • Identify Key Vocabulary Terms and Core Knowledge in Geography

  • Utilize Maps and Globes to Answer Questions and Make Assumptions

  • Regions of North America and Their Locations

  • Seven Continents and Their Locations

  • Five Oceans and Their Locations

  • Importance Physical Geography Had/Has on the Development and Success of Nations Of the World

The Earliest Inhabitants

  • Maya and the Aztec

  • Life of Maya, Inca, Aztec, and Anasazi

  • From Southwest to Northwest Native Americans Were Put to the Test

  • The Plains and the Eastern Woodlands

Connections Across Continents

  • East Meets West

  • Explorers and Conquerors in a New World

  • The Spanish Build an Empire

  • Early European Settlements

  • Jamestown, Here We Come!

  • The Plymouth Colony

Colonization and Conflict

  • The New England Colonies

  • The Middle Colonies

  • The Southern Colonies

  • Life in the Thirteen Colonies

  • French and Spanish in North America

  • The French and Indian War

Independence and New Government

  • The Road to Self-government

  • The Revolution Begins

  • Declaring Independence

  • The War for Independence Ends

  • The Articles of Confederation

  • The Constitution

 

MAJOR TOPICS AND CONCEPTS — SEGMENT B

A Developing Nation

  • Geography and the Growth of a Young Nation

  • War of 1812

  • Andrew Jackson

  • Industrial Revolution

  • The Mexican-American War

  • Western Trails

The Civil War and Reconstruction

  • Slavery Divides the Country

  • The Fight for Equality

  • The Nation Moves Closer to War

  • The War Between the States

  • The Union Moves Toward Victory

  • The Union Stands

  • Reconstruction

  • The Civil War Amendments

Immigration and Industry

  • Rails Across the Country

  • Life on the Range

  • Homesteading on the Plains

  • The Plains Wars

  • The Rise of Big Business

  • The Growing Cities

  • The United States Expands

  • The Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt

America in the 20th Century

  • World War I

  • The Roaring Twenties

  • The Great Depression

  • World War II

  • The Cold War

  • The Civil Rights Movement

  • A Decade of Change

  • Watergate to the End of the Cold War