5th Grade Social Studies Unit 4

Big Idea:

Study the conflicts and events from the French & Indian War through American Independence.

Student Expectations:

Priority TEKS

5.2(A) [Readiness] Identify and analyze the causes and effects of events prior to and during the American Revolution, including the French and Indian War and the Boston Tea Party;

5.2(B) [Supporting] Identify the Founding Fathers and Patriot heroes, including John Adams, Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Nathan Hale, Thomas Jefferson, the Sons of Liberty, and George Washington, and their motivations and contributions during the revolutionary period; and

5.2(C) [Readiness] Summarize the results of the American Revolution, including the establishment of the United States and the development of the U.S. military.

5.15(A) [Supporting] Identify the key elements and the purposes and explain the importance of the Declaration of Independence;

Focus TEKS

5.1(B) [Supporting] Describe the accomplishments of significant individuals during the colonial period, including William Bradford, Anne Hutchinson, William Penn, John Smith, John Wise, and Roger Williams.

Ongoing TEKS

5.7(C) [Supporting] Locate on a map important political features such as the ten largest urban areas in the United States, the 50 states and their capitals, and regions such as the Northeast, the Midwest, and the Southwest;

5.21(B) [Supporting] Explain how examples of art, music, and literature reflect the times during which they were created.

5.24(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;

5.24(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;

5.24(C) [Ways to Show] Organize and interpret information in outlines, reports, databases, and visuals, including graphs, charts, timelines, and maps;

5.24(D) [Ways to Show] Identify different points of view about an issue, topic, or current event; and

5.24(E) [Ways to Show] Identify the historical context of an event.

5.25(A) [Tools to Know] Use social studies terminology correctly;

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

5.25(C) [Ways to Show] Express ideas orally based on research and experiences;

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

Student Learning Targets:

• I will analyze causes and effects of the French & Indian War.
• I will understand how conflict between the American colonies and Great Britain led to American independence.
• I will learn about leaders Samuel Adams and George Washington.
• I will be able to discuss ideas represented in the Declaration of Independence.
• I will study the major battles of the Revolutionary War.
• I will us textual evidence and write about as well as illustrate the conditions and determination to survive at Valley Forge as well as analyze the major battles of Yorktown, Trenton, and Saratoga.

Essential Questions:

• Why was it so important to both Great Britain and France to have control of the Ohio River Valley?
• How did the French and Indian War affect the way colonists viewed England?
• Why did tensions increase between the Colonies and England from 1763 to 1775?
• What were some contributions of the Founding Fathers?
• Was independence inevitable?
• What did Benjamin Franklin contribute to colonial America?
• Why do you think some of John Wise’s ideas were controversial?
• Why was it so important to Samuel Adams that the American colonies break free from Great Britain?
• Do you think the Intolerable Acts were indeed “intolerable”?
• Why do you think Washington was chosen to lead the Continental Army?
• What ideas are presented in the Declaration of Independence?
• What do you think Nathan Hale meant when he said, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country”?
• Why was the Battle of Saratoga a turning point in the Revolutionary War?
• How did the Continental Army win at Yorktown?

Extra Information:

Adopted Textbook: American Legacy, Studies Weekly

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