4th Grade Curriculum Map
Unit Title / Standard
I Can Statements
Footprints Across the State
Concept / Pacing
Essential Questions
Essential Information
Geography and
Culture
What are the similarities and differences between
the three major regions in NC?
Students should know:
4.G.1. and 4 H.2.2
(Geography / Symbols /
Monuments / Festivals /
Music)
I can give examples of
similarities and differences
between NC’s three regions.
I can give NC’s relative and
absolute location.
What is the absolute and relative location of North
Carolina?
How does where you live affect how you live?
How can we use maps to help us understand and
locate cities and rivers?
NC in relationship to World/ US and review of map
skills
The 3 Regions (Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and
Mountains) / Capital
Climate and Weather in regions
Vegetation and Natural Resources in each region
What are some of the some of the unique cultural
and historical aspects that are specific to North
Carolina?
Rural, urban, and suburban
Rivers - Cape Fear, Neuse, French-Broad)
I can give examples of the
various cultural and historical
landmarks in each of the
three regions.
I point on a map to NC’s
largest military bases and
explain how they have
affected NC.
I can explain and give
examples of how geography
and location affect the way a
culture develops.
How have military installations (bases) affected
North Carolina?
What impact and importance do festivals have upon
cities that host them and the state as a whole?
Resource Ideas
Sounds – Pamlico and Albemarle
The Outer Banks
Cities – Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington,
Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Asheville, Durham,
Fayetteville (Fort Bragg), Jacksonville (Camp
LeJeune)
Which landmark or historical site do you think is most
Major Symbols (Flag, flower, bird, insect, mammal,
important to other students your age? Create a
dog, song, reptile)
PowerPoint presentation that gives information
about the landmark, as well as why it is important to
Festivals (Azalea, Pickle, Seafood, NC 4th of July
you.
Festival, MerleFest, Seagrove Pottery Festival, the
NC State Fair, Highland Games, Apple Festival, Folk
Create 3 Region Flip Foldable
Moot Festival)
(1) Glue Map of NC on Front
Monuments and Landmarks (Wright Brothers, the
(2) Major cities and rivers will be placed on map
by students.
(3) Cut three flaps on Foldable (for each region –
Coastal, Piedmont, and Mountain)
Information for students to fill in for each region
(flap):
Climate and weather, Natural Resources, Vegetation,
Famous people and/or landmarks
lighthouses, Tryon Palace, Baltimore House,
Guilford Courthouse, USS NC, Reed Gold Mine, Old
Salem, Town Creek Indian Mound, Charlotte Motor
Speedway, Grandfather Mountain)
Music (Folk, Bluegrass, Gospel, beach music, blues,
jazz)
Create an advertisement for a state festival.
The First Carolinians and the
Newcomers
How have artifacts helped us to learn more about
Native Americans?
Artifacts and Archeology helped us identify Native
American history
Essential Standard 4.H.1 &
4.H.2
Why were there conflicts between Native Americans
and settlers?
Native American Tribes (Cherokee, Tuscarora,
Catawba, Hatteras)
(Native Americans and
Colonization)
What were the most important Native American
tribes in North Carolina, where were they located,
and what impact did they have?
Culture (shelter, foods, clothing, language,
ceremonies, movement (canoes), trading,
storytelling)
How did life change for Native Americans and settlers
upon contact?
Native American and European contributions
(vegetables and pottery, lacrosse, furs, canoes)
Which European explorations affected North Carolina
(Columbus, Verrzzano, DeSoto, Sir Walter Raleigh)?
European Gifts - (horse and cattle)
I can define, explain, and give
examples of the term artifacts.
I can give examples of some of
the most important Native
American tribes in NC and I can
point out on a map where they
were located and the impact that
they made.
I can explain how life changed for
both Native Americans and
settlers once contact between
these two groups took place.
I can explain why conflicts arose
between Native Americans and
Civilization and
Settlement
What areas of North Carolina were first settled?
Conflict with settlers (differences over ownership
of land and culture)
Why was colonizing so challenging?
Diseases
Why was the Lost Colony unsuccessful?
Explorers (Columbus, Verrzzano, DeSoto, Sir
Walter Raleigh)
What was the impact of pirates in North Carolina?
Pirates (Blackbeard, Anne Bonney, Mary Read,
Stede Bonnet, and Calico Jack)
settlers.
I can give examples as to why
colonizing a new area was so
hard.
Suggested Resources
Create a scrapbook of the 4 major tribes. Inside this
scrapbook, please include name, location, housing,
foods, clothing, family structure, language,
ceremonies, trading, and why considered one of the
most important.
I can explain why the Lost Colony
failed.
I can give examples of pirates
that operated in NC and the
impact they had upon the colony.
Perform a Native American legend. Find a legend
that interests you – change the legend into a play
and perform it.
I can explain the Eight Lords
Proprietors’ role in NC.
The Lost Colony (John White, VA Dare, Manteo and
Wanchese, War with Spain, Theories
Challenges of Colonization (food, water, shelter,
climate, hostile native population)
Eight Lords Proprietors
Colonization – Bath, New Bern, Brunswick Town,
Wilmington
Positive and Negative Sentence Strips
I can give examples of the first
two towns established in NC and
when these settlements took
place.
Create sentence strips about contact and relations
between Native Americans and settlers that students
have to place under positive or negative headings.
Examples: Diseases, trading, land ownership
differences, cultural differences, new foods and
products
I can list examples of pirates in
NC and their impact on the
colony.
Blackbeard Lesson Plan
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/3585?ref=search
Journal Entry or letter from a NC Explorer or Settler
back to their home country describing what they
have seen and what they have experienced.
Diversity is our Strength
Immigration
Essential Standard 4.C.1. and
4.H.1.3
How is immigration
today different
than in the past?
I can define and explain the
term immigration.
Why did groups immigrate into NC and what
contributions did they make?
What groups are immigrating today and where are
they settling and what are the effects?
What is the fastest growing group in NC’s population
What groups came (Africans, Germans, Scots-Irish,
Highland-Scots, Moravians, Quakers, English,
native Americans, and modern-day groups)
When did they come?
How did they arrive?
presently?
I can give examples of groups
that immigrated into NC,
where they settled, and why
they came.
Where did they settle?
Cultural contributions?
Suggested Resources
Cooperative Group Activity
Immigration today in NC (Hispanics, Asians,
Muslims, move from the US to NC,
Divide students into cooperative groups. Assign each
an immigration group and give them a map of NC.
Have them place map of NC in center of paper.
Locate the group on the map. Then have students fill
in the following boxes around the map: Who (name
of group)? When (years arriving in NC)? Why (why
did they come?), How (how did they arrive – ship,
wagon, etc), Contribution? Each group will be the
expert on the assigned group and they will present to
the class. The students that are listening will have a
chart with Who, Why, When, How, and Contribution
– they will fill in for each group.
Breaking Free – The Struggle
for Independence
Essential Standard 4.H.1.4
(The Revolutionary War)
I can explain why the colonists
separated from England.
I can define and explain the
terms Loyalists and Patriots.
War and Conflict
Compare and
contrast warfare
from the 1700s and
warfare today.
English Colonies
Why did the colonists decide to break away from
England?
Why did Patriots and Loyalists disagree?
How did the Stamp Act affect Wilmington and NC as
a whole?
Why were Moore’s Creek Bridge and Guilford
Courthouse important to the outcome of the
Revolutionary War?
Revolution
Taxes (Stamp Act and protest in Wilmington) – “No
Taxation without Representation”
King George III / Parliament
Edenton Tea Party (organized by Women – led by
Penelope Barker London Political Cartoon)
Tories (loyalists) and Whigs (Patriots)
I can explain the importance
of Moore’s Creek Bridge and
Guilford Courthouse.
I can identify the Edenton Tea
Party and explain its
Suggested Resources
Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge / Nathaniel Greene
Have students create a timeline ladder or accordion
foldable of major events of the Revolutionary War
(Stamp Act, Edenton Tea Party, Moore’s Creek
Halifax Resolves / Declaration of Independence
Burgwin-Wright Home / Charles Cornwallis
significance.
Bridge, Halifax Resolves, Declaration of
Independence, Battle of Guilford Courthouse, British
invasion of Wilmington, Battle of Yorktown)
I can give examples of major
leaders of the Revolutionary
War period in NC and explain
why they are important.
Yorktown / George Washington
Battle of Guilford Courthouse
Have students examine the political cartoon in the
London paper of the Edenton Tea Party.
Warfare (weapons, uniforms, strategies,)
http://www.northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/50/entry
Period Music
Music of the Revolution
http://www.ushistory.org/carpentershall/edu/songs.htm
Analyze songs of The American Revolution to gain
insight to public thought and sentiment of that
period.
Analyze a primary source to gain meaning and
historical context.
Create songs/verses that reflect public thought from
Pre-Revolutionary and Revolutionary America.
For the People by the People
4.C&G.1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4
4.C&.G4.2
(NC / US Constitution and
Local Government)
I can define and explain the
words constitution, “living
document”, amendment,
veto, governor, General
Assembly, bill.
I can explain how the NC
Constitution is an example of
a “living document.”
Government
How has the NC Constitution reacted to changes in
society?
How is the NC Constitution a “living document?”
How is the NC Constitution similar and different to the
US Constitution?
How is the General Assembly similar and different to
the national legislative branch?
How is the county government affected by the actions
of the state government?
How is county and municipal (local) government
similar and different?
What are some of the major changes in the NC
Constitution?
Key Vocabulary:
Bill
Constitution
Uncle Sam
“Living Document”
Amendment
Bill of Rights
“Checks and Balances”
Veto
Budget
Governor
General Assembly
County Seat
Jury
Mayor
City Councils
I can compare and contrast
the NC Constitution with the
US Constitution.
What are some ways you can influence state, county,
and municipal governments?
What are the major differences between rights, duties,
and responsibilities?
I can explain how the General
Assembly is similar and
different to the US Congress.
Suggested Resources
Produce a Venn Diagram of US and NC
Constitutions.
I can give examples of ways in
which I can influence state
and local government.
Venn Diagram or double-bubble map of
similarities and differences of state and local
government.
I can explain and give
examples of rights,
responsibilities, and duties.
Briefly on the US Constitution
The Three Branches (executive, legislative, and
judicial)
General Assembly
Governor of NC
Major Revisions to the NC Constitution (outlawing
poll taxes, balanced budget amendment, governor
veto power, outlaw of slavery, women suffrage)
Municipal (local) and county government
Differentiate Rights and Responsibilities
Lesson Plan on state and local government:
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/2868?ref=search
Lesson on County Government
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/2949?ref=search
Rights, Duties, and Responsibilities
Have students take words, terms, or phrases and
place them under the correct heading (Example
– paying taxes – duty, voting – right, stay
informed – responsibility)
http://teacherweb.com/NC/LaneyHighSchool/MrAdamsSocialStudies/photo1.aspx (check out his rights / duties
PowerPoint).
4th grade class successfully pushes to make sweet potato
stage vegetable.
http://www.heraldsun.com/pages/full_story/push?articleWeek-s+End%20&id=13476061
The Great Conflict and its
Aftermath
War and Conflict
What were the major differences between the North
and the South?
Terms
Civil War
Essential Standard 4.H.1.4
To what extent was slavery a cause of the Civil War?
(Civil War and Reconstruction)
What role did the Underground Railroad play in
helping to counteract slavery?
I can explain the role of
slavery as a cause of the Civil
War.
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
What role did women play during the Civil War?
I can define and explain the
Underground Railroad and its
impact on slavery.
I can explain the purpose of
the Emancipation
Proclamation.
I can give examples of the
various roles women had during
the Civil War.
I can explain how African
Americans helped the Union
during the Civil War.
I can define and explain the
importance of Blockade Running
in NC.
I can explain the conditions
freedmen faced after the Civil
War.
I can explain the sharecropping
system and how it compared and
contrasted with slavery.
I can explain how the Ku Klux
Klan affected the Reconstruction
Period.
I can give examples of ways
African Americans made gains
Why was blockade running important to North
Carolina?
What were the conditions faced by newly freed
slaves?
Describe the sharecropping system and how did it
differ from slavery?
What role did the Ku Klux Klan play in
Reconstruction?
How did African Americans gain and loose during
Reconstruction?
Suggested Resources
For Civil War vocabulary, have students created a
crossword puzzle or dictionary (could be illustrated
on some level).
Have students write a letter from a woman’s
perspective on her role (woman in South, women in
North, a spy, etc) during the war.
Have students create a travel log for stops along the
Underground Railroad – can include a map. Highlight
groups and people that served as conductors or
supporters.
Confederacy
Secede
Blockade Running
Emancipation Proclamation
Differences between North and South (economy,
beliefs on slavery, education, lifestyles)
Slavery / Underground Railroad / Quakers
Election of 1860 / Abraham Lincoln – South
Carolina the leaves the US
CSA President Jefferson Davis
Dred Scott / John Brown
NC Governor Zebulon Vance
Women (took care of farms while men were gone,
served as spies, nurses)
Major Battles
Battle of Bentonville
Fort Fisher
Terms
Reconstruction
Freedman’s Bureau
Black Codes
Sharecropping
Ku Klux Klan
Segregation
Andrew Johnson (born in Raleigh) Reconstruction
governor / impeached
during Reconstruction and how
they suffered losses.
Pick a Civil War issue (slavery, secession, brother
against brother, etc). Compose a speech on that
topic that would be given by a major figure. Students
will present the speech to the class – encourage
students to dress as that character.
Teacher can read aloud, with students following
along with their own copy, the Emancipation
Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address.
Create a two-tab foldable about African Americans
during Reconstruction. Label one flap Gains and
another column Losses (cut in the middle so student
students can lift flap up and write important
information).
Create an information cube on the KKK.
Progressing from the Past to
the Future - Industry and
Technology
Industry and
Technology and
Progression
What industries are located in North Carolina and
what impact have they had upon the state?
4.G.1.2 and 4.E.1.3
What are some negative effects of Industrialization?
I can give examples of various
industries in NC and the
impact they have had upon
the state.
What is the importance of higher education to NC’s
past, present, and future?
I can explain positive and
negative consequences to
industrialization.
I can explain the role of higher
education to NC’s past,
present, and future.
I can explain how the building
of I-40 has affected the
How has the building of I – 40 affected the economy
of Wilmington?
How and why has tourism in NC grown and changed
throughout the last 50 years?
How has technology impacted industry?
What impact has the agricultural industry had on
North Carolina and the United States?
What are the positive and negative effects of
Naval Stores
Railroads
Tobacco
Mining
Textiles
Negative effects of industry (horrible working
conditions, low wages, and child labor)
Mill Villages
Furniture
Tourism
Biotechnology / Pharmaceutical Companies
University of NC System
Research Triangle Park
Service and
Agriculture (hog farming, Christmas tree,
watermelon, turkey, soybeans, etc.)
Pepsi
Entrepreneur / small businesses
Technological Advances – Airplanes – the Wright
Brothers, hi-tech machines taking the place of
economy of Wilmington.
technology?
I can give examples and
explain how tourism has
grown in NC over the last four
years.
Suggested Resources
humans in industries, Farming, transportation and
communication changes, RTA (Research Triangle
Park)
Each student can have a map of NC. Have them draw
I-40. Then have them draw signposts along the way
indicating ways that I-40 has affected North Carolina
(positively and negatively).
I can explain the positive and
negative affects technology
has had upon industry in NC.
Create an illustrated double-bubble of the positive
and negative affects of industrialization in NC.
I can explain the impact the
agricultural industry has had
on NC.
Create a foldable with four categories: Agriculture,
Industry, Education, and Technology. Have students
list and illustrate products and affects on the state
past and present.
Create a travel brochure or photo album for a region,
city, or entire state.
Economics 101 and Learning
the value of a Dollar
Essential Standard 4.E.1.1,
1.2, 1.3, and 4.E.2.1
Economics and
Personal Financial
Literacy
Why do people save for the future?
Why is it important to distinguish between your needs
and wants?
What is meant by the term market economy?
I can explain reasons why
people should save for the
future.
Why is a budget important?
I can determine the difference
between a need and a want.
What are the positives and negatives about paying
taxes?
I can explain why a personal
budget is important.
How do natural resources, human resources, and
capital influence our economy?
I can define and explain the
term economy.
What affect does supply and demand have upon our
economy?
Suggested Resources
Have students in groups. Have them separate
Market Economy
Supply and Demand
Scarcity
Competition
Goods and Services
Natural resources, Human resources, and Capital)
Wants vs needs
Income
Budgeting
Saving
Credit
Spending
Paying taxes
Debt
Checking / Debit
Deposit / Withdrawal
I can define and explain the
terms supply and demand.
pictures of different items into needs and wants
categories.
I can explain the positives and
the negatives about paying
taxes.
Budgeting – great math interrogation
I can define and explain the
terms and importance of
natural resources, human
resources, and capital upon
the economy.
Your parents have told you that you can have a
fabulous birthday party – however, you must be able
to invite, feed, and entertain your guests for $200.00
dollars. Develop your plan for having your party and
staying within budget.
Have students create a board based upon saving and
spending - the game should have a bank. Students
can bring their game into class (4 pieces, 25 colored
squares, 20 activity cards, set of rules, and title of
game on board).
Create a T-Chart on the positives and negatives of
paying taxes.
Class banking system
Have students bring in pictures of natural resources,
human resources, and capital and place them into a
chart.
Start with a circle map with Economy in the center.
Students will list terms and phrases associated with
this word.
Have students watch these commercials.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKqG-gqejtI
Social Studies Project Ideas
ORAL
Announcements
Audiotape
Campaign speech
Comedy act
Debate
Dialog
Discussion
Documentary
Eulogy
Group discussion
Interactive slides
Lecture
Mock interview
Mock trial
Monologue
News broadcast
Oral report
Panel discussion
Rap
Role-play
Seminar
Speech
TV Commentary
KINESTHETIC
Ballet
Characterization
Charades
Collage
Comedy sketch
Dance
Demonstration
Diorama
Display
Dramatization
Experiment
Field trip
Game
Map
Mobile
Model
Pantomime
Performance
Puppet show
Quilt
Relief map
Sculpture
Simulation
Sports event
Storytelling
Suitcase of artifacts
Talent show
VISUAL
WRITTEN
Advertisement
Banner
A Travelog
Bookmark
Brochure
Bulleted chart
Bulletin board
Cartoon
Chart
Collage
Comic strip
A Timeline
Crossword puzzle
Dictionary
Family tree
Flag
Flannel board
Flip chart
Flow chart
Graph
Greeting card
Hidden picture
Hieroglyphic
Storyboard
Jigsaw puzzle
Map
Mosaic
Mural
Painting
Photo album
Photo essay
Political cartoon
Poster
Quote chart
Scrapbook
Scroll
Biography
A Survey
Booklet
Characterization
Classified ad
Comic book
Creative writing
Critique
Database
Dictionary
Editorial
A Resume
Evaluation checklist
Evaluation grid
Fable
Fact file
Fairy tale
Glossary
Guidebook
Job description
Journal
A Recipe
List
Lyrics
Magazine
Manual
Memoir
Metaphor
Musical score
Newscast
Newspaper
Parody
Patent
Play
Poem
Questionnaire