Social Studies Curriculum

FOCUS QUESTIONS

Unit 1: Independence and the American Revolution

FQ1: What experiences led to the American Revolution? (EQ2,3,4,6)

FQ2: What factors led to the Colonists’ victory? (EQ2,3,4,6)

FQ3: How did the states govern themselves after the Revolution? (EQ4,6)

Unit 2: Federalism

FQ1: Why did Americans move from The Articles of Confederation to the Constitution? (EQ2,3,4).

FQ2:How are the ideals of the American Democracy incorporated in the Constitution? (EQ2,4)

Unit 3: Expansionism (Westward Movement - Manifest Destiny fulfilled)

FQ1: How has the movement (the interaction of people as they travel from one place to another) influenced the cultural history of America? (EQ2,3,5,6)

FQ2: How have Americans dealt with unlimited wants and scarce resources?(EQ5,6,7)

Unit 4: The Civil War

FQ1: Why did certain events lead to the escalation of the conflict between the North and the South? (EQ3,4,6,7)

FQ2:How did specific military engagements influence the outcome of the war and impact civilian life? (EQ3,5,6)

FQ3:How was the relationship between the reunited North and South impacted by the Civil War? (EQ2,3,4)

Unit 5: Reconstruction

FQ1: How did compromise influence the rebuilding of our nation? (EQ2,3,4,6)

FQ2: How do past events influence my life and my world today? (EQ1)

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

What is an American? (Theme 1)

How has cooperation influenced American civilization? (Themes 5,7)

How has conflict impacted American civilization? (Themes 5,7)

How have Americans organized government to address the rights and responsibilities of its people? (Theme 2)

How has technology supported American development? (Theme 3)

How has geography influenced the cultural history of America? (Themes 4,6)

How have resources effected the economic development of America? (Theme 4)

MAP AND GLOBE SKILLS

Map skills are intended to be integrated into the curriculum as much as possible.

Objectives: The student will:

Label various types of maps, following specific standard guidelines of mapping.

Use a territorial growth map to explain how the U.S. grew from 13 colonies to 50 states.

Make special purpose maps (population, trade, transportation, production).

Interpret information from various sources and make charts and graphs using this information.