4th Grade Social Studies Unit 2

Big Idea:

Analyze the founding documents of the United States and gain an understanding of the intent, meaning, and importance of why they were written.

Student Expectations:

Priority TEKS

4.15(C) [Supporting] Identify the intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights (Celebrate Freedom Week).

Focus TEKS

4.21(A) [Tools to Know] Differentiate between, locate, and use valid primary and secondary sources such as computer software; interviews; biographies; oral, print, and visual material; documents; and artifacts to acquire information about the United States and Texas.

Ongoing TEKS

4.21(B) [Ways to Show] Analyze information by sequencing, categorizing, identifying cause-and-effect relationships, comparing, contrasting, finding the main idea, summarizing, making generalizations and predictions, and drawing inferences and conclusions.

4.22(A) [Tools to Know] Use social studies terminology correctly.

4.22(B) [Ways to Show] Incorporate main and supporting ideas in verbal and written communication.

4.22(D) [Ways to Show] Create written and visual material such as journal entries, reports, graphic organizers, outlines, and bibliographies.

4.22(E) [Tools to Know] Use standard grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and punctuation.

4.17(A) [Supporting] Identify important individuals who have participated voluntarily in civic affairs at state and local levels such as Adina de Zavala and Clara Driscoll.

4.17(B) [Supporting] Explain how individuals can participate voluntarily in civic affairs at state and local levels through activities such as holding public officials to their word, writing letters, and participating in historic preservation and service projects.

4.17(C) [Readiness] Explain the duty of the individual in state and local elections such as being informed and voting.

4.17(E) [Supporting] Explain how to contact elected and appointed leaders in state and local governments.

4.18(A) [Readiness] Identify leaders in state, local, and national governments, including the governor, local members of the Texas Legislature, the local mayor, U.S. senators, local U.S. representatives, and Texans who have been president of the United States.

4.18(B) [Supporting] Identify leadership qualities of state and local leaders, past and present.

4.19(B) [Supporting] Identify customs, celebrations, and traditions of various cultural, regional, and local groups in Texas such as Cinco de Mayo, Oktoberfest, the Strawberry Festival, and Fiesta San Antonio.

4.19(C) [Readiness] Summarize the contributions of people of various racial, ethnic, and religious groups in the development of Texas such as Lydia Mendoza, Chelo Silva, and Julius Lorenzo Cobb Bledsoe.

Student Learning Targets:

• I will identify the purpose, meaning, and importance of the following documents:
  • Declaration of Independence
  • The Constitution
  • The Bill of Rights
• I will explain the origin and importance of the founding documents of the United States. (writing)

Essential Questions:

• What is the purpose, meaning, and importance of the founding documents of the United States?
• How do these documents apply to our lives today?

Extra Information:

Adopted Textbook: American Legacy, Studies Weekly

District Grading Policy

Texas Gateway Online Resource Center