Social Studies

Social Studies at a Glance

This year in Social Studies class we will be studying "Regions of the United States."  That's right, we're going to be learning all about this great country that we live in!  

During the first three marking periods we will be embarking on a journey to learn about the United States through a unique and engaging activity--collecting US State Quarters.  During this time, each student will be learning map skills, and will work on a notebook that will be graded upon the completion of each US region.  Students will also receive a special quarter collection folder that they may keep at the end of the year.  

The U.S. State Quarters program was initiated to celebrate the rich history, culture, and diversity of each state in the United States. It's a hands-on way for our students to explore geography, history, and important landmarks from different states, all while developing their research and critical thinking skills. By collecting these quarters, students will have the opportunity to delve into the stories behind each state's design, discovering what makes each one special.

Throughout the course of this project, we encourage parents to support this program by assisting students in finding quarters for each state.  Additionally, discussions at home about the significance of these quarters will surely enrich their understanding and make this project even more enjoyable.

During the last 9 weeks, we will focus on 1 state--Pennsylvania.  During this unit, students will learn about the history and geography of our wonderful state.  

Map Skills:  This year you will be expected to learn where every one of the 50 states is located on a map.  Don't panic!  You don't have to learn all of them at once.  (Whew!)  Our textbook divides the United States into the following regions, which will be tested individually:

Northeast - Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island

Southeast - Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Missippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee

Midwest - Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin

Southwest - Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico

West - Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Alaska

At the conclusion of the third 9 weeks, students will be tested on all 50 states--yep, all at once!