Each region of the United States is unique; together, they provide people with the different resources they need to survive. In this unit, students explore the rich natural resources across the US, how people use them, and the ways everyone can help sustain them. Then, they consider how to take action in their community to promote sustainable use of our natural resources.

The historical roots of state and local development are not buried; they are alive in the artifacts, monuments, and buildings around us, as well as the stories that we tell. In this unit, students learn about the first peoples to live in their state and region, and they investigate major events at the roots of their state’s history. They explore a variety of historical sources and the various perspectives reflected in them, learning to ask critical questions of their sources and look for limitations as well as benefits.

With unlimited wants and limited resources, people must make economic choices constantly. Students explore the concept of economics and how it relates to their lives, building a foundation of financial literacy while gaining an understanding of interdependence, economic relationships, and the role each of us plays in the system. Throughout the unit, they investigate our power to make economic choices that can have a positive impact on our communities today and in the future.