Units in the Fall Semester

Early Americans

The beginning of America goes much farther back then explorers and colonies. In this unit we discuss The beginning of the movement to the Americas from Asia. We will dive into the culture and geography of the first peoples that occupied North America.

The Age of Exploration

Humans have a curiosity that drives them to find new places to call home. This unit will teach 5th graders the motivations and drive that European explorers felt to make their place in the world. From the Silk road to the triangle of trade, we will explore how the world became a much bigger place.

Units in the Spring Semester

Growing Colonies in the Americas

The discovery leads Europeans to settle down but at what cost. After the European superpowers fight for the new world, England takes control. In this unit we will explore social classes, the motivations and the hardships to get to the new world and colonize.

The Revolutionary War with England and the Resulting Birth of a Nation

King George and his government push the colonists too far and loose a cash cow they so desperately need. This final unit takes us through the lead up to the war and the fall out that results in the birth of a new nation.

Overview

Students will learn geography concepts and practice skills in tandem with the historical understanding to be well rounded in their awareness of the early American inhabitants. We will discover that geography is another language to help us understand the world around us.

Concepts students will be familiar with:

• Basic map reading skills
• Awareness of the location different groups of people and the resources they had available to them
• A general understanding of distance (how far is it from England to the U.S.)
• The geography and culture of the first peoples and the 3 groups of colonial settlers (New England, Middle and Southern colonies)