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Grade 5 Social Studies

Grade 5 Social Studies

What your child will learn and do in Grade 5 Social Studies

In grade five, students are introduced to Early American History.  Students will investigate the events that impacted the establishment of the United States beginning with early exploration and culminating with a study of the American Revolution and the establishment of the United States. Throughout the course, an  emphasis is placed on the role of geography and its impact on the settlements of new lands and the presence of different cultures in the New World.  Additionally, students will investigate history from multiple perspectives, including that of Indigenous Peoples, European colonists, Slaves, and Indentured Servants.  Students will analyze the importance of ruling documents, like the Declaration of Independence, and the emergence of democracy and blending cultures. Teachers may often integrate this learning into their reading and writing units, using age appropriate texts (nonfiction and historical fiction) to support student learning.  This introduction to history and key historical concepts will help prepare students for middle school Social Studies. Activities in these curriculum include:

  • Engaging in community and civic engagement through the opportunity to participate in the Connecticut Kid Governor program.  
  • Explaining how colonization affected Native Americans and settlers.
  • Identifying various historical figures and structures that impacted Colonial settlement (e.g. Mayflower, Williamsburg, Plymouth, Colonies and Native Americans).
  • Comparing and contrasting settlements and geographical areas, past and present.
  • Analyzing the process for making and implementing laws.
  • Discussing the rights and responsibility of Connecticut citizens, past and present.
  • Reviewing and analyzing primary sources such as letters, journals, engravings, political cartoons, maps and documents.  
  • Participating in inquiries about differing perspectives of groups and individuals during the same historical time period.
  • Developing narrative, opinion, and argument writing about history, economics, civics and geography.
  • Reading texts about history and social studies, and answering text-based questions.
  • Analyzing and synthesizing information from various sources .
  • Presenting on a researched topic using multimedia resources.

 

Helping your child learn outside of school:    

  • Make your child aware of current events. Discuss current events and encourage your child to watch the news and/or read the newspaper.
  • Visit local sites, specifically important CT landmarks (Windsor Historical Society, Noah Webster House, CT State Capitol, Hartford Public Library, Wadsworth, Mark Twain House, Old State House) to help increase your child’s exposure to new knowledge, vocabulary and historical background information. 
  • Have your child verbally explain their projects to you or practice the presentation the night before it is due
  • Share family traditions, stories, and culture with your child. Encourage your child to interview family members such as grandparents to learn family history.  
  • Use real-life opportunities to develop understanding of geography concepts and map skills.
  • Encourage service and responsibility. Either through school or as a family, your child can experience providing service to others and/or being a responsible citizen through community giving.   

 

Websites 


For more information, please contact the Supervisor of Social Studies, Kristen Juda, at kjuda@crec.org

  • Grade 5