What We Study and How to Reinforce the Concepts
In fifth grade, our units focus on three periods of American history:
Colonial Regions 1700-1765, America - Revolution, and New Government. Within
these units, we also incorporate the topics of geography and economics. To
extend students' understandings, we hope to incorporate resources from the
Maryland Historical Society. Students will also take on the persona of a
member of a New England colony, a Middle colony, or a Southern colony. As we
move through our units, we will add to their roles. For example, during the
Revolution unit, students will take on the roles of Patriots, Loyalists, and
Undecideds. From that perspective, they will write journal entries and
contribute to class discussions and activities.
At this age, students frequently have difficulty with the concept of time.
As a family, talk about events in the past and the far past in your family
and in the world to help gain a better perspective on time periods. See how
far back you can construct a family tree ... it's a great activity and
involves all generations of the family! Take Family Field Trips to places of
historic interest. We live so close to Philadelphia, Valley Forge,
Annapolis, Williamsburg, and Jamestowne that day trips or even weekends are a
possibility for these great destinations. Here in Baltimore, you can visit
the Maryland Historical Society, the Fells Point Maritime Museum, the
Baltimore Civil War Museum, and Fort McHenry.
Fun ways to incorporate more social studies topics in daily life? Check
what's showing on the History Channel and PBS for some great family viewing
and discussion. Hunt books on social studies topics at the library. Post a
world or United States map in a location where you can peruse the map to
become familiar with places and landform locations...we kept ours above the
laundry folding table.
Links to Social Studies sites that provide information about our units
Kids and History is an interactive site that includes links to
the Paul Revere Virtual Museum and Journey to Jamestowne.
http://www.kidsandhistory.com/
A Colonial Family and Community - solve seven clues to learn
about a colonial family in NE Connecticut in the 1700s
http://www.hfmgv.org/education/smartfun/colonial/intro/index.html
Colonial Kids - A celebration of life in the 18th century -
Homes, School, Transportation & Travel, Chores, Fashions - Find
out what it was like to live as a child in southeastern
Pennsylvania
http://library.thinkquest.org/J002611F/
Social Studies for Kids - Learn about the 13 original colonies,
with links to find out about their characteristics such as food,
school, church, fun time, agriculture
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/13colonies2.htm
Social Studies for Kids Colonial Times - The people, places and
events of colonial times
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/colonialtimes.htm
The Noah Webster House - click on the button: Choose One of These
under Noah's Time to find out about Connecticut Life, Colonial
Amusements and Schooling in the 18th century
http://www.noahwebsterhouse.org/
US History - America's Most Historic Mile, The Electric Franklin,
Betsy Ross House, Liberty Bell, Valley Forge, Brandywine
Battlefield, Seven Philly Tours, Revolutionary War 1777
http://www.ushistory.org/index.html
Family Field Trip - Jamestowne Settlement and Yorktown
Settlement - this site will show you all that you can experience
on a weekend trip to these historic sites!
http://www.historyisfun.org/index.htm
Order in the Court: An Electronic Field Trip from Colonial
Williamsburg - Serve as a justice for three cases in colonial
court
http://www.history.org/History/teaching/order/court.html
Voices of the American Revolution: Traitors, Seamstresses, and
Generals - Actions, Documents, People, Revelry, Voices, and
resources
http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312848/home.htm
Liberty! Chronicle of the Revolution, Liberty! The Series,
Perspectives on Liberty, Road to Revolution Game
http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty
Patriot or Loyalist? A Revolutionary Decision
This is a research module created by BCPS. We will be using this
site in our studies.
http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/models/loyal/index.html
Other Resources