Social studies instruction is intended to provide the knowledge of content and appropriate skills so students can become active, involved citizens of the community. Students in Grade 5 will continue to apply the foundational skills in geography, political science, economics, and culture to help them interpret the history of early America. The Grade 5 curriculum includes the following units of study:
1. Colonial Regions
2. Revolution
3. New Government
In the Grade 5 advanced academics curriculum, students may use primary source materials to authenticate historical fiction and complete the online research module, Maryland Patriots and Loyalists as an option. The overarching concept of systems is used to enrich and extend the grade-level program. Students study the interrelationship of economic, social, political, environmental, and cultural systems.
Students in Grade 5 should know and be able to:
- Analyze and compare the economic activity in the New England, Middle, and Southern colonial regions from 1700-1765.
- Evaluate how the geography of colonial regions impacted the lives of colonists.
- Analyze, evaluate and synthesize the events leading to the Declaration of Independence.
- Explain and begin to analyze the principles of government found in the Declaration of Independence.
- Analyze and evaluate significant events of the American Revolution.
- Evaluate the success or failure of the Articles of Confederation as an initial attempt to create a national government following the American Revolution.
- Analyze the United States Constitution to determine purposes for government, the roles and responsibilities of each branch of government, and the system of checks and balances that limits the power of government.
Grade 5 Year at a Glance Document