Overview of Our Curriculum:
5th and 6th Grade Social Studies Two Year Cycle

2009-2010 Quarters 1-2: Discovering Early America ~ U.S. History I
Native Americans, Early Explorers, Economics, Slavery, and the Thirteen Colonies

2009-2010 Quarters 3-4: Holy C.O.W. (Cultures of the World) ~ World Geography & Culture II
Religion and Culture, Focus on Europe, Asia, and Oceania

2010-2011 Quarters 1-2: Reaction, Revolution, Reform ~ U.S. History II
The American Revolution – Causes, Battles, Key Players, Early Government

2010-2011 Quarters 3-4: The Global Action Project ~ World Geography & Culture I
International Development and Change, Focus on Central & South America, and Africa


Discovering Early America: Quarters 1-2, 2009

Just like the explorers and settlers who discovered early America, students will get a chance to “discover” the motivation behind, and the effects of, European life in the New World. Our quarter will be divided into two units:

Why can’t we all just get along? – Explorers and Native Americans in the New World
Students will try to figure out “who really discovered America?” They will study Native American civilizations in both North and South America. From the early Maya, Aztec, and Incan people to the Wampanoag of Massachusetts, how did Native Americans interact with the land? As they learn about some early explorers, students will reflect upon the goals of those journeying to a new land, and how they treated the Native Americans. The unit will culminate in a trial to determine whether Columbus himself, or another party, is responsible for the deaths of thousands of Taino Indians.

From the Ground up – Building Economic Success in the Colonies
In this unit on settlement and colonization, students will learn about how settlers found success (or hardship) in the new colonies. They will research the thirteen original colonies and learn about life for European settlers. Through a study of slavery, students will learn how life in the Southern colonies differed from life in the North. Students’ presentations of original poems and music will show their understanding of the life of a colonist or slave character. Finally, after studying principles of economics, students will make a board game which simulates the journey of a young entrepreneur trying to establish a business in the new world.

Major Assessments (Rubrics)

• The People vs. Columbus, et al. Trial Defense Statement (Explorers & Native Americans Focus)
• Poem and Original Music (Colonial and Slave Life Focus)
• Money Matters Board Game (Economics in the 13 Colonies)