Grade Five
The fifth grade curriculum invites students to recognize the growing importance of their role in the global community. As tomorrow's leaders students will work across geographic borders with people from different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences. In the fifth grade students practice global thinking as they investigate regional case studies to understand the changing relationships between people, places, and resources. Student inquiry, collaboration, and problem solving activities guide student learning as they evaluate globally significant issues such as; overpopulation, food shortage, and globalization. This exploration is grounded by a course essential question and unit essential questions. The unifying theme, spatial thinking, is emphasized during the year to develop globally aware students who are active responsible citizens.
Regional Cases Studies Include:
North America (Canada & the United States), Latin America (Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil), Africa (Egypt, Sub-Sahara, South Africa), Asia (India, China, Japan)
Course Essential Question: How does physical and human geography interact to influence and determine the development of cultures and societies throughout the world?
Unit Essential Questions:
What can geography teach us about the United States and the world?
What are the costs and benfits of people adapting the environment to meet their needs?
How do the environment and natural resources contribute to the preservation and development of culture?
How do belief systems impact the daily lives of individuals and shape their social interactions?
What is globalization and how does if affect people and places?