Social Studies - 4th Grade

Content Overview:

Social Studies in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade is focused around a theme for each grade. In third grade the theme is Ohio in the United States. The fourth-grade year focuses on the early development of Ohio and the United States. Students learn about the history, geography, government and economy of their state and nation. Foundations of U.S. history are laid as students study prehistoric Ohio cultures, early American life, the U.S. Constitution, and the development and growth of Ohio and the United States. Students begin to understand how ideas and events from the past have shaped Ohio and the United States today. The units taught throughout the year are Map and Regions; Ohio’s Early People; Early Settlers/French and Indian War Colonies; War and Government; Northwest Ordinance/ War of 1812; and Regional and Sectional Issues. Ohio in the United States is reflected within these units.

Textbooks:

OhioasAmerica.org

Assessments:

Classroom formative and summative assessments

Standards/Learning Goals:

Ohio’s Learning Standards in Social Studies are comprised of 4 strands: History, Geography, Government, and Economics. The  content statements listed below state what students should learn and understand in each discipline.

1st Quarter - Geography

Spatial Thinking and Skills

  • A map scale as well as cardinal and intermediate directions can be used to describe the relative location of physical and human characteristics of Ohio and the United States.

Places and Regions

  • The economic development of the United States continues to influence and be influenced by agriculture, industry and natural resources in Ohio.
  • The regions of the United States known as the North, South and West developed in the early 1800s largely based on their physical environments and economies.

Human Systems

  • People have modified the environment since prehistoric times. There are both positive and negative consequences for modifying the environment in Ohio and the United States. 
  • The population of the United States has changed over time, becoming more diverse (e.g., racial, ethnic, linguistic, religious). Ohio’s population has become increasingly reflective of the cultural diversity of the United States.
  • Ohio’s location and its transportation systems continue to influence the movement of people, products and ideas in the United States.

2nd Quarter - History

Historical Thinking and Skills

  • The order of significant events in Ohio and the United States can be shown on a timeline.
  • Primary and secondary sources can be used to create historical narratives.

Heritage

  • Various groups of people have lived in Ohio over time including prehistoric and historic American Indians, migrating settlers and immigrants. Interactions among these groups have resulted in both cooperation and conflict.
  • The 13 colonies came together around a common cause of liberty and justice, uniting to fight for independence during the American Revolution and to form a new nation.
  • The Northwest Ordinance established a process for the creation of new states and specified democratic ideals to be incorporated in the states of the Northwest Territory.
  • The inability to resolve standing issues with Great Britain and ongoing conflicts with American Indians led the United States into the War of 1812. Victory in the Battle of Lake Erie contributed to American success in the war.
  • Sectional issues divided the United States after the War of 1812. Ohio played a key role in these issues, particularly with the anti-slavery movement and the Underground Railroad. 
  • Many technological innovations that originated in Ohio benefited the United States.

3rd Quarter - Government

Civic Participation and Skills

  • Individuals have a variety of opportunities to participate in and influence their state and national government. Citizens have both rights and responsibilities in Ohio and the United States.
  • Civic participation requires individuals to make informed and reasoned decisions by accessing and using information effectively.
  • Effective participants in a democratic society engage in compromise.

Rules and Laws

  • Laws can protect rights, provide benefits and assign responsibilities.
  • The U.S. Constitution establishes a system of limited government and protects citizens’ rights; five of these rights are addressed in the First Amendment.

Roles and Systems of Government

  • A constitution is a written plan for government. Democratic constitutions provide the framework for government in Ohio and the United States.
  • The Ohio Constitution and the U.S. Constitution separate the major responsibilities of government among three branches.

4th Quarter - Economics

Economic Decision Making and Skills

  • Tables and charts help people to understand information and issues. Tables organize information in columns and rows. Charts organize information in a variety of visual formats (pictures, diagrams, graphs).

Production and Consumption

  • Entrepreneurs organize productive resources and take risks to make a profit and compete with other producers.

Financial Literacy

  • Saving a portion of income contributes to an individual‘s financial well-being. Individuals can reduce spending to save more of their income.