Grade 5

Important: This Investigating History preview site will be deactivated on August 31, 2026. Please visit the DESE website for up-to-date unit materials. A revised version of the Grade 5 course is being released for SY26-27.

Teachers interested in referencing previous versions of the curriculum will be able to fill out a form to access those materials.

Click here to access the year-long Grade 5 Course Overview.

Please note all Grade 5 materials are now fully published to the DESE website. This site allows for easier batch copying of materials to your Google Drive, bulk downloading of whole units as PDF documents, and access to printable files for student and teacher materials.

Unit 1: Early Colonization and the Growth of Colonies

Available on the DESE Website

How do lands and places matter to people?
What happens when communities interact and why?
How do beliefs and values shape people’s decisions?
How do beliefs and values sustain groups and help them survive?

Unit 2: The American Revolution and Principles of United States Government

Available on the DESE Website

What are the good things about representative government, and what are the challenges of making it work?
How and why do people act to protect their rights and interests?

Unit 3: The Growth of the Republic

Available on the DESE Website

Whom does it benefit, and whom does it harm, when a nation expands its territory?
Was the Early Republic shaped more by its declared values or its economic interests?
How have people shown resilience, fought for their rights, and resisted oppression when confronted by injustice?

Unit 4: Slavery, the Legacy of the Civil War, and the Struggle for Civil Rights for All

Available on the DESE Website

Did the Civil War create a “more perfect union?”
How and why do people take action to secure and protect civil rights?

Have Feedback on the Curriculum?

We are continuously improving our curriculum materials and appreciate your feedback!

Please submit all feedback using this form.