Social Studies

In our fifth grade year we study many different topics in social studies class including the Constitution, Native Americans, Explorers, Colonial America, and the American Revolution.

Constitution

Websites

iCivics Games: These outstanding games (including Branches of Power and Executive Command) allow you to take on various governmental roles.

3 Branches Game: Learn about the responsibilities of the Legislative, Executive and Judicial Branch.

Checks and Balances Game: Learn how each branch prevents the others from gaining too much power.

Legislative Branch: Learn more about the Legislative Branch.

Executive Branch: Learn more about the Executive Branch.

Judicial Branch: Learn more about the Judicial Branch.

Checks and Balances: This game helps show how each branch prevents the others from gaining too much power.

How a Bill Becomes a Law: This provides information about how laws are created.

U.S. Constitution Reading Comprehension: Read this article, answer the comprehension questions, and check your work.

Videos

Interview with President Obama: Watch these two children interview President Obama about the importance of the U.S. Constitution.

School House Rock--The Preamble: Listen to this catchy tune to learn the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution.

School House Rock--I'm Just a Bill: Listen to this catchy tune to learn how a bill becomes a law.

School House Rock--3 Ring Circus: Listen to this catchy tune to learn more about the responsibilities of the 3 Branches.

Liberty's Kids--We the People: Watch this episode of Liberty's Kids to learn more about the creation of the U.S. Constitution.

Native Americans

In this unit, we will learn the concept “Where you live, effects how you live.” We will study Native American tribes, and make connections between the regions where they lived and how they lived. See the links below for great sites to help with research.

Great Website Loaded with Information: Scroll down for an alphabetical list of Native American nations.

Northwest #1: Information about the Tlingit Nation

Northwest #2: Information about the Tlingit Nation

Southwest #1: Information about the Navajo Nation

Southwest #2: Information about the Hopi Nation

Southwest #3: Information about the Hopi Nation

Northeast #1: Information about the Iroquois Nation

Northeast #2: Information about the Iroquois Nation

Northeast #3: Read this article about the Iroquois Nation, answer the comprehension questions, and check your work.

Southeast #1: Information about the Seminole Nation

Southeast #2: Information about the Cherokee Nation

Southeast #3: Read this article about the Cherokee Nation, answer the comprehension questions, and check your work.

Plains #1: Information about the Lakota and Dakota Sioux Nations

Plains #2: Information about the Cheyenne Nation

Plains #3: Information about different uses of the buffalo

Plains #4: Read this article about the Sioux Nation, answer the comprehension questions, and check your work.

Arctic #1: Information about the Inuit Nation

Explorers

We learn the pushes and pulls that led people to explore North and South America.

Age of Exploration Reading Comprehension: Read this article, answer the comprehension questions, and check your work.

Article about the Age of Exploration: Read this article to learn more about the Age of Exploration.

Interactive Book on European Exploration: Learn more about the countries, explorers, and destinations of the Age of Exploration.

List of Explorers #1: Just click on an explorer's name to learn more.

List of Explorers #2: Just click on an explorer's name to learn more.

List of Explorers #3: Just click on an explorer's name to learn more.

List of Different Types of Ships: Just click on a ship to learn more.

Colonial Life

In this unit, we will learn about early colonial governments as well as examine key social concerns in the colonies such as religion. Overall, students will identify the geographic, economic, and religious reasons that brought settlers to the Americas.

Websites

Chart of the 3 Colonial Regions: This chart provides information about various aspects of the three major Colonial regions.

Colonize Jamestown: Use this online simulation to provide food, health, and wealth for your fellow Jamestown Colonists.

Map of the 13 Original Colonies: Just click on a colony or city to learn more about it.

Map of the Triangular Trade: Use this interactive map to learn more about the Triangular Trade.

New England Colonies: Learn more about the climate, geography, religion and economy of the New England Colonies.

Middle Colonies: Learn more about the climate, geography, religion and economy of the Middle Colonies.

Southern Colonies: Learn more about the climate, geography, religion and economy of the Southern Colonies.

Videos

Mr. Zoller's Podcast 1: Watch this to learn about the New England Colonies.

Mr. Zoller's Podcast 2: Watch this to learn about the Middle Colonies.

Mr. Zoller's Podcast 3: Watch this to learn about the Southern Colonies.

New England Colonies: Watch this for more information regarding the New England Colonies.

Middle Colonies: Watch this for more information regarding the Middle Colonies.

Southern Colonies: Watch this for more information regarding the Southern Colonies.

American Revolution

In this unit, we will learn how the colonists viewed themselves in relationship to England, and will analyze the growing tensions between groups of people at that time. By the end of the unit we will be able to identify the causes and effects of the American Revolution, and the role it played in establishing our country’s system of government.

Websites

American Revolution Reading Comprehension: Read this article, answer the comprehension questions, and check your work.

Battles of the Revolution: Click on any one of the battles to learn more about it.

Battles of the Revolution Webquest: Use the links to answer questions about the battles of the American Revolution.

Boston Massacre Reading Comprehension: Read this article, answer the comprehension questions, and check your work.

Causes and Effects of the Revolution: Click on the causes and effects of the Revolution to learn more.

Important People of the Revolution: Click on any one of these people to learn more about this individual.

Lexington and Concord Reading Comprehension: Read this article, answer the comprehension questions, and check your work.

Videos

Boston Massacre: Read this article and watch the video at the end to learn more about the Boston Massacre.

Boston Teach Party: Read this article and watch the video at the end to learn more about the Boston Tea Party.

Liberty's Kids--The Boston Tea Party: Watch this episode to learn more about the Boston Tea Party.

Liberty's Kids--The Intolerable Acts: Watch this episode to learn more about the Intolerable Acts.

Liberty's Kids--The Midnight Ride: Watch this episode to learn more about Paul Revere's midnight ride.

Liberty's Kids--The Shot Heard 'Round the World: Watch this episode to learn more about the Battle of Lexington and Concord.

School House Rock--The Shot Heard 'Round the World: Listen to this catchy tune to learn more about Lexington and Concord.

School House Rock--No More Kings: Listen to this catchy tune to learn more about events leading up to the Revolution.

The Ride of Paul Revere: Watch this video to learn more about Paul Revere's famous ride.

The Shot Hear 'Round the World: Watch this video to learn more about the Battle of Lexington and Concord.