“Tell me and I will forget; Show me and I may not remember; Engage me and I will Understand”
- Native American Saying
Scope and Sequence SS Gr. 4
Grade 4
In grade 4, students study the geography and people of the United States today. Students learn
geography by addressing standards that emphasize political and physical geography and embed
five major concepts: location, place, human interaction with the environment, movement, and
regions. In addition, they learn about the geography and people of contemporary Mexico and
Canada. Teachers may choose to teach the standards on the geography and social characteristics
of the nations in Central America and the Caribbean Islands. Teachers may also choose to have
students study in the first half of the school year one early civilization. We recommend China
because it is not taught in grade 7 and can be easily connected to the English language arts
curriculum through its myths, legends, and folktales.
Maps and Globes (Review)
4.10 Fact Monster Almanac of the U.S.Provides capitals, state maps, regions, population, cities, landmarks and more.
4.10 Stately Knowledge--Internet Public Library These web pages will help you find out the basic facts of any state, including Washington, D.C.
4.10 Culturegrams User name: bill01821 Password: cgrams States country database for geography, economy, history, maps and resources. Creat your own tables and graphs with the statistics provided on a wide range of data. Click on "create your own datatables".
4.11Search Database of National Historic Landmarks - Enter a state and get a list of landmarks.
4.11 Grolier online Brainjam>Archive>National Parks. Great site with brief articles about our national parks, threats to their future and importance to our national heritage.
4.11 Video: This is our countryThis introduction to the United States of America looks at its history and geography. Students examine the country's flag and anthem; tour its capital, Washington, D.C.; and see how the nation is divided into 50 states, each with its own capital, flag, and emblems. Learn about the federal holidays and their importance, and visit several natural and manmade landmarks.
Regions
4.9 Boundaries
4.10 State Capitals and Major Cities
4.11 Climate, Physical Features, Natural Resources; Major Monuments and sites in Washington, D.C.
4.12 Man made or Unique Features
General Resources:
4.10, 4.11 Houghton Mifflin Resources for studying states and regions Includes interactive lesson summaries, outline maps, state outline maps
graphic organizers, state handbook, Weekly Reader article access. 4.10 Culturegrams User name: bill01821 Password: cgrams States country database for geography, economy, history, maps and resources. Creat your own tables and graphs with the statistics provided on a wide range of data. Click on "create your own datatables". 4.10, 4.11 A Hunt for U.S. RegionsProvides information and a question format about each region of the country. Good consolidation
of regions in one site.
4.10,4.11 Capital Penguin Name all the capitals of the states by playing this academic skill builder online.
4.10
Regions--activities, essential question about how regions are designated. Comprehensive, requires 5 sessions.
4.10 Place Name Geography Student identifies each state by clicking on a map following a verbal prompt. You can do the whole US or just the states in a particular region; immediate feedback and scores. Also, when you click on a state, a text box show information about that state. Does not demonstrate state capitals or major cities.
4.8, 4.9 Looking At Regions (Social Studies) Powerpoint presentation; includes questions and answers; interactive; 3rd grade level,
but good for individual student learning and/or review.Presentation created by 4th grade students, contains material for enduring understandings
and can be used either as a presentation or as a model for your class to design their own. Provides overarching perspective on standards
and on the concept of what a region is.
US Regions Readings and Activities Another edhelper.com site Geography of the U.S. How stuff works, regions of North America, Canada, U.S., Mexico. Includes short videos on each region; geography, agriculture, parks and other landmarks, weather. 4.8 - 4.11, 4.17 4.18 Lesson Plans Gr. 3-5
Provides a host of lesson plans based on geography standards. Teachers will need to review the many options to determine what might be best used in the classroom.
New England/ Northeast:
4.8 - 4.11 Geography of New EnglandVol I and Vol. II (Streaming Video) Examine the geography and early colonial history of the New England states—
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. See how the region's topography,
which includes mountain chains and coastal lowlands and uplands, has influenced New England's climate and population.
Then explore the region's history, from pilgrim settlements to the American Revolution and the industrial revolution.
Washington, D.C.
4.13 Symbols of AmericaAmerica the Beautiful,video, Discovery School This program shows some of the great symbols of the
United States of America.
4.13 Symbols of the U.S. Government Symbols include Government Buildings, Statues and Memorials, Symbols,
and Songs and Oaths.
Short readings on various monuments and memorials.Each pharagraph contains a link. Contains reading selections for grades 3-5 on ppgs.13-24. Instructions on using primary sources, see p.60 for additional primary resources.
The Mountain States Videos, Pt. 1 and Pt 2. Geography of the mountain states.(How Stuff Works video)
Video: the Mountain States: Part iiFrom cattle ranching to the raising of diverse crops, agriculture ranks high in the mountain states' economy. Visit the region's numerous national parks and historic sites, then explore the deserts and canyons that exist alongside the region's many mountains. (20:00)
4.8, 4.9, 4.10 Guide to the regions of the U.S. Contains links to each region and other resources.Welcome to the regions of the United States! These are the states listed under each region according to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks from the Department of Education 2004.
It is important to note that states may belong to different regions according to different textbooks.
General Resources
4.11 Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia
Brain Jam>National Parks
4.10 Culturegrams Factual information on all states.
4.10 GeoNet Game Houghton Mifflin Resource 35 Best books for teaching regions
Mexico:
4.23-4.26 Mexico (Social Studies) Powerpoint;Can use for information or as a model for classroom activity, i.e.,classroom develop own powerpoint. (contains resources)
4.23-4.26 Mexico for Kids Great site with map, history,flag, food, cities,language, challenges of 21st C., divides the country into four regions, great links to National Geographic and more, very colorful and engaging. 4.23-4.26Kids Konnect -- Mexico An excellent list of all areas of study from geography, language, history, people,
Canada:
4.17-4.22 Fact Monster Canada - Great site to learn about geography, languages, religion, ethnicity, and natural resources. As the title suggests provides factual information about Canada through a brief reading selection.
4.17-4.22 Kids Konnect -- Canada An excellent list of all areas of study from geography to language, history, people. Extensive links.
4.17-4.22The Kid’s Site of Canadian Settlement - Under educational resources there are 8 possible lessons/activities. Understand more about Canadian culture and heritage today by understanding who some of Canadians' ancestors are, and how they settled Canada. When and why did people choose to come to Canada? How did they interact with the communities of people, both Aboriginal and immigrant, already living here? What traditions and beliefs did these different communities bring and share? This website showcases just some of the pictures and other documents that are part of Library and Archives Canada's collection.
4.17 On a map of North America, locate Canada, its provinces, and major cities. (G) Map of North America – Map of North America with links to maps of Canada, United States and Mexico Map of Canada – Map of Canada with links to maps of provinces and territories. Blank Map of Canada – Printable Blank Map of Canada
4.18 Describe the climate, major physical characteristics, and major natural resources of Canada and explain
their relationship to settlement, trade, and the Canadian economy. (G, E) Significant Canadian Facts – Canada boasts some of the most interesting extreme (superlative) facts of any country.
Discover some of Canada’s biggest, longest and highest features. 4.19 Describe the major ethnic and religious groups of modern CanadA. (G, H, C, E)
Religious Groups – according to Statistics Canada which is Canada’s National Statistical Agency. Information was collected in 2001.
4.20 Identify when Canada became an independent nation and explain how independence was achieved. (H, G) History of Canada – A comprehensive yet succinct survey of Candian history.
4.21 Identify the location of at least two Native American tribes in Canada (e.g., Kwakiutl and Micmac) and the Inuit
nation and describe their major social features. (H, G) Micmac Encyclopedia Article – MSN encarta Kwakiutl Encyclopedia Article – MSN encarta Canadian Inuit History – A thousand years of Inuit history, complimented with pictures..
China supplemental study
Kids Konnect -- China Extensive information government, culture, language, people, maps, sports: all facets of Chinese life. China History and civilization. How Stuff Works, variety of short videos. Chinese culture and history Developed by students of Newton,MA.
“Tell me and I will forget; Show me and I may not remember; Engage me and I will Understand”
- Native American Saying
Scope and Sequence SS Gr. 4
Grade 4
In grade 4, students study the geography and people of the United States today. Students learn
geography by addressing standards that emphasize political and physical geography and embed
five major concepts: location, place, human interaction with the environment, movement, and
regions. In addition, they learn about the geography and people of contemporary Mexico and
Canada. Teachers may choose to teach the standards on the geography and social characteristics
of the nations in Central America and the Caribbean Islands. Teachers may also choose to have
students study in the first half of the school year one early civilization. We recommend China
because it is not taught in grade 7 and can be easily connected to the English language arts
curriculum through its myths, legends, and folktales.
Maps and Globes (Review)
4.10 Fact Monster Almanac of the U.S.Provides capitals, state maps, regions, population, cities, landmarks and more.
4.10 Stately Knowledge--Internet Public Library These web pages will help you find out the basic facts of any state, including Washington, D.C.
4.10 Culturegrams User name: bill01821 Password: cgrams States country database for geography, economy, history, maps and resources. Creat your own tables and graphs with the statistics provided on a wide range of data. Click on "create your own datatables".
GeoBee ChallengeGo to Mapmaker for an enrichment activity enabling to locate cities, towns, countries. Mapping location skills.
Video: the five themes of geography (17:44)
Video: Finding your way using maps and globes (22:36)
Teacher Resource
Maps and Globes -- reading Good review of map concepts and defines map skills.
Immigration
**4.15C**Creating an Immigration Biography Tie in with other immigrants and where they settled.
This is an excellent Ellis Island site for the history of immigration. Use in conjunction with the Scholastic site below.
**4.15** Some were destined for fame-- List of famous people who came through Ellis Island
**4.15C**Immigration Scholastic
**4.15 C,D**1882 Immigration Act (a Weekly Reader article)
**4.15C**Ellis Island "more difficult" reading passage Standard
**4.15C**Elis Island "easier" reading passage Standard
**4.15 C** Immigration to the United States American Heritage SeriesVideo Standard (needs ID and password)
**4.15 C**Immigration - ScholasticComprehensive set of 6 activities chronicling immigration experience of diverse groups,
east and west.St.
4.15 C U.S. Immigration research starters Scholastic --readings and suggested investigations.
4.15 B,C Our America: Online ActivityTurn of the Century A variety of readings and activities.
**4.15 C**Library of Congress Learning PageUsing Primary sources Extension activity.
**4.15 C**Immigration Graphing Activity Great activity.
**4.16**Boston Family History Immigration to Boston,ethnic groups and neighborhoods.
**4.16**Family History for Kids Oral histories and timelines.
**4.16**Mass Moments: Chinese workers arrive in North Adams Mass Moments is a daily archive with excellent
coverage of Massachusetts history. Includes lesson plans and "teacher features".(Supplemental?)
Immigration Reading Activities This link will take you to what is available at www.edhelper.com if we had a subscription.
Video: Immigration to the U.S. American Heritage Series (20:00)
Additional Immigration links:
Potential list of guided reading materials. A future review by teachers could lead to school purchase.
Click on the link and it will take you to a summary:
Dreaming of America: An Ellis Island Story by Eve Bunting Level N
Immigrant Kids by Russel Freeman Level Q
If Your Name Was Changed at Ellis Island by Ellen Levine Level Q
Supplemental for Teachers:
Appreciating America's Heritage - Resource Guide for K-12 teachers
Immigration:Thinkquest Lists many ethnicities and their immigration patterns. 8 Primary ethnic groups and their journey to America.
Immigration Webquest A guided exploration of immigration, resources, activities, uses Scholastic Immigration website as basis.
Immigration to America Hotlinks to sources
Immigration lesson plans This site has a wealth of lesson plans by topic and by grade level. It also provides lesson plans that
can be easily adjusted.
What do maps show -- USGS
USGS Teacher Resource Page Teacher resource page with extensive resources, including web sites,
lesson plans, and downloads, e.g., geography, geology, atlases, map tools, thematic map resources, landforms,
coastal environments, and many cross-curricular areas.
EPals Classroom collaboration
4.11Search Database of National Historic Landmarks - Enter a state and get a list of landmarks.
4.11 Grolier online Brainjam>Archive>National Parks. Great site with brief articles about our national parks, threats to their future and importance to our national heritage.
4.11 Video: This is our country This introduction to the United States of America looks at its history and geography. Students examine the country's flag and anthem; tour its capital, Washington, D.C.; and see how the nation is divided into 50 states, each with its own capital, flag, and emblems. Learn about the federal holidays and their importance, and visit several natural and manmade landmarks.
Regions
4.9 Boundaries4.10 State Capitals and Major Cities
4.11 Climate, Physical Features, Natural Resources; Major Monuments and sites in Washington, D.C.
4.12 Man made or Unique Features
General Resources:
4.10, 4.11 Houghton Mifflin Resources for studying states and regions Includes interactive lesson summaries, outline maps, state outline mapsgraphic organizers, state handbook, Weekly Reader article access.
4.10 Culturegrams User name: bill01821 Password: cgrams States country database for geography, economy, history, maps and resources. Creat your own tables and graphs with the statistics provided on a wide range of data. Click on "create your own datatables".
4.10, 4.11 A Hunt for U.S. RegionsProvides information and a question format about each region of the country. Good consolidation
of regions in one site.
4.10,4.11 Capital Penguin Name all the capitals of the states by playing this academic skill builder online.
4.10
4.10 Place Name Geography Student identifies each state by clicking on a map following a verbal prompt. You can do the whole US or just the states in a particular region; immediate feedback and scores. Also, when you click on a state, a text box show information about that state. Does not demonstrate state capitals or major cities.
4.8, 4.9 Looking At Regions (Social Studies) Powerpoint presentation; includes questions and answers; interactive; 3rd grade level,
but good for individual student learning and/or review.Presentation created by 4th grade students, contains material for enduring understandings
and can be used either as a presentation or as a model for your class to design their own. Provides overarching perspective on standards
and on the concept of what a region is.
US Regions Readings and Activities Another edhelper.com site
Geography of the U.S. How stuff works, regions of North America, Canada, U.S., Mexico. Includes short videos on each region; geography, agriculture, parks and other landmarks, weather.
4.8 - 4.11, 4.17 4.18 Lesson Plans Gr. 3-5
Provides a host of lesson plans based on geography standards. Teachers will need to review the many options to determine what might be best used in the classroom.
New England/ Northeast:
4.8 - 4.11 Geography of New EnglandVol I and Vol. II (Streaming Video) Examine the geography and early colonial history of the New England states—Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. See how the region's topography,
which includes mountain chains and coastal lowlands and uplands, has influenced New England's climate and population.
Then explore the region's history, from pilgrim settlements to the American Revolution and the industrial revolution.
Washington, D.C.
4.13 Symbols of America America the Beautiful,video, Discovery School This program shows some of the great symbols of theUnited States of America.
4.13 Symbols of the U.S. Government Symbols include Government Buildings, Statues and Memorials, Symbols,
and Songs and Oaths.
4.13 Washington D.C. Memorials and Monuments A guide of the monuments and memorials of Washington, D.C.
4.13 White House progressive study, mapping skills, history, geography, art
Short readings on various monuments and memorials.Each pharagraph contains a link. Contains reading selections for grades 3-5 on ppgs.13-24. Instructions on using primary sources, see p.60 for additional primary resources.
Southeast:
Southeast States How Stuff Works state by state, Physical geography, government. people, economy, education, etc. Includes video clips.
Video: The Southeast Region: Environment (16:00)
Great Lakes:
The Midwest like a geographer- Great Lakes]]Recommended readings:
Chapt. 1, Sect. 1, Physical Characteristics, Sect. 2 Settlement.
Chapt. 2 Sect. 2 Climate, Sect. 10 Living Resources
Plains: The Midwest
Video:The Midwest: vol. I (20:00)
Unit planning guide for Plains and Prairie states; includes lesson plans, bibliography, project template and links.
Southwest:
http://geography.howstuffworks.com/united-states/the-southwestern-united-states.htmVideo: Southwestern Region: Part I
Mountain:
The Mountain States Videos, Pt. 1 and Pt 2. Geography of the mountain states.(How Stuff Works video)Video: the Mountain States: Part ii From cattle ranching to the raising of diverse crops, agriculture ranks high in the mountain states' economy. Visit the region's numerous national parks and historic sites, then explore the deserts and canyons that exist alongside the region's many mountains. (20:00)
Pacific:
Pacific States: Lands and Peoples California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska and HawaiiVideo: Geography of the Pacific States
----
Supplemental resource for teachers:
4.8, 4.9, 4.10 Guide to the regions of the U.S. Contains links to each region and other resources.Welcome to the regions of the United States! These are the states listed under each region according to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks from the Department of Education 2004.It is important to note that states may belong to different regions according to different textbooks.
General Resources
4.11 Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia
Brain Jam>National Parks
4.10 Culturegrams Factual information on all states.
4.10 GeoNet Game Houghton Mifflin Resource
35 Best books for teaching regions
Mexico:
4.23-4.26 Mexico (Social Studies) Powerpoint;Can use for information or as a model for classroom activity, i.e.,classroom develop own powerpoint. (contains resources)4.23-4.26 Mexico for Kids Great site with map, history,flag, food, cities,language, challenges of 21st C., divides the country into four regions, great links to National Geographic and more, very colorful and engaging.
4.23-4.26Kids Konnect -- Mexico An excellent list of all areas of study from geography, language, history, people,
Canada:
4.17-4.22 Fact Monster Canada - Great site to learn about geography, languages, religion, ethnicity, and natural resources. As the title suggests provides factual information about Canada through a brief reading selection.
4.17-4.22 Kids Konnect -- Canada An excellent list of all areas of study from geography to language, history, people. Extensive links.4.17-4.22The Kid’s Site of Canadian Settlement - Under educational resources there are 8 possible lessons/activities. Understand more about Canadian culture and heritage today by understanding who some of Canadians' ancestors are, and how they settled Canada. When and why did people choose to come to Canada? How did they interact with the communities of people, both Aboriginal and immigrant, already living here? What traditions and beliefs did these different communities bring and share? This website showcases just some of the pictures and other documents that are part of Library and Archives Canada's collection.
4.17 On a map of North America, locate Canada, its provinces, and major cities. (G)Map of North America – Map of North America with links to maps of Canada, United States and Mexico
Map of Canada – Map of Canada with links to maps of provinces and territories.
Blank Map of Canada – Printable Blank Map of Canada
Canada’s Provinces and Territories - Learn Canada’s provinces and territories with this interactive activity.
Test Your Province and Territory Knowledge
Capitals of Canada’s Provinces and Territories - Learn the capitals of Canada’s provinces and territories with
this interactive activity.
Test Your Capital Knowledge
4.18 Describe the climate, major physical characteristics, and major natural resources of Canada and explain
their relationship to settlement, trade, and the Canadian economy. (G, E)
Significant Canadian Facts – Canada boasts some of the most interesting extreme (superlative) facts of any country.
Discover some of Canada’s biggest, longest and highest features.
4.19 Describe the major ethnic and religious groups of modern CanadA. (G, H, C, E)
Religious Groups – according to Statistics Canada which is Canada’s National Statistical Agency. Information was collected in 2001.
4.20 Identify when Canada became an independent nation and explain how independence was achieved. (H, G)
History of Canada – A comprehensive yet succinct survey of Candian history.
4.21 Identify the location of at least two Native American tribes in Canada (e.g., Kwakiutl and Micmac) and the Inuit
nation and describe their major social features. (H, G)
Micmac Encyclopedia Article – MSN encarta
Kwakiutl Encyclopedia Article – MSN encarta
Canadian Inuit History – A thousand years of Inuit history, complimented with pictures..
China supplemental study
Kids Konnect -- China Extensive information government, culture, language, people, maps, sports: all facets of Chinese life.
China History and civilization. How Stuff Works, variety of short videos.
Chinese culture and history Developed by students of Newton,MA.
5th Grade Social Studies
Exploration and Discovery (The 1500's) A timeline from Grolier's Encyclopedia.Lewis and Clark Expedition Grolier's Information.
Westward Movement Grolier's Information
Overland Trails Grolier's Information
Empires and Inventions (The 1800's) Timeline from Grolier's
Mapping America Abstract: Reports on the 200th anniversary of the exploration of Meriweather Lewis and William Clark of Louisiana Purchaseland. Study of the land; Discovery of animals; Creation of maps on the territory. [PDF format]
Explorers and Pioneers There is a Cobblestone article referenced here that we could try to obtain.
The Western Country A Cobbleston article through Grolier's.