Innovations

Fourth graders will be studying Innovations in Social Studies this year.  Their studies will be integrated into the English Language Arts curriculum.  Students will work in groups and independently, using both primary and secondary sources, to explore innovations and the impact they’ve had on society. 

The students will analyze the innovations through five conceptual lenses: 

• Historical thinking

• Social/cultural thinking

• Economic thinking

• Geographical thinking

• Civic thinking

 Essential Questions

• How do the times and conditions influence or necessitate innovations?

• How do innovations change the way people live?

• How do innovations impact/influence society? (Historically, socially/culturally, economically, geographically, civically)

•  How do innovations influence the times?

• What are the intended and/or unintended consequences of innovations (positive and negative)?

• How have innovations evolved over time?