Unit 1: Active Citizenship

Students will understand how citizens are responsible to the community. Students will understand why citizens should vote. Students will understand how citizens show patriotism towards their country. Students will understand why citizens pay taxes.

Essential Question: What kinds of things do “good” citizens do?

Unit 2: Rural, Urban, Suburban

Students will understand that rural, urban, and suburban communities have similarities and differences. Students will understand that rural, urban and suburban communities have distinct characteristics.

Essential Question: Are rural, urban, and suburban communities more different than similar?

Unit 3: Geography of Communities

Students will learn how to recognize continents, oceans, landforms, and bodies of water. Students will learn map skills. Students will understand that geography influences the lifestyles of different communities.

Essential Question: Can geographic tools help us to understand the similarities and differences of communities?

Unit 4: Change and Interdependence

Students will understand that communities have changed and will continue to change over time. Students will understand that communities today are interdependent.

Essential Question: Do communities have to change over time to meet their needs?