RSD Social Studies Committee 2013
Social Studies Curriculum Map K-5
Grade: Fourth Grade
Time
Frame Unit Title
Sept. –
Dec.
Exploring
the Pacific
Northwest
Prior to
Statehood
Big Idea: Washington: Past and Present
Materials and Resources
EALRs/GLEs
Essential Questions
History 4.1.1 Understands and creates timelines to show how
historical events are organized into time periods and eras
History 4.2.1 Understands and analyzes how individuals caused
change in Washington State history
History 4.3.1 Understands that there are multiple perspectives
regarding the interpretation of historical events and creates an
historical account using multiple sources
SS Skills 5.2.1 Creates and uses a research question to conduct
research on an issue or event
SS Skills 5.2.2 Understands the main ideas from an artifact,
primary source, or secondary source describing an issue or event
SS Skills 5.1.2 Evaluates the accuracy of primary and secondary
sources
SS Skills 5.4.1 Draws clear, well-reasoned conclusions and
provides explanations that are supported by artifacts and/or
primary sources in a paper or presentation
SS Skills 5.4.2 Prepares a list of resources, including the title,
author, and type of source, date published, and publisher for
each source.
Geography 3.1.1 Constructs and uses maps to explain the
movement of people
Geography 3.2.3 Understands that the geographic features of
the Pacific Northwest have influenced the movement of people
Economics 2.1.1 Understands and analyzes the costs and benefits
of people’s decisions to move and relocate to meet their needs
and wants
 What can history teach us
about the world today?
 What are the key events in
Washington state history?
 Who were the first people
of Washington and how
did they use their
environment to meet their
basic needs?
 Who were the cultural
groups who immigrated to
Washington prior to 1889
and why did they come and
where did they settle?
 What were the causes of
conflict in Washington’s
early history?
 How have the different
cultural groups in early
Washington influenced our
state?
 Who were the first people
of Washington and how
did they use their
environment to meet their
basic needs?
Possible
Assessments
(websites, videos, literature, curriculum packages)
TCI: Social Studies Alive!: Regions of Our Country*
 Lesson 1: “Discovering the Social Sciences”
 Lesson 15 “Researching Your State’s History”
 Lesson 14: “Researching Your State’s Geography” (Only the Reading


Further, Uncovering the Secrets of Ozette, student book pages 232-235)
*Other chapters are suggested, but not required
StoryPath: Oregon Trail
The Washington Adventure (additional text to support TCI)
 Chapter 2: “Native Americans”
 Chapter 3: “Explorers and Fur Traders”
 Chapter 4: “Missionaries and Pioneers”
 Chapter 5: “Washington Becomes a State”
BrainPOP:
 Lewis and Clark: Road Trip, Lewis and Clark Style! Link to Video
 Westward Expansion: Go West, Young Robot! Link to Video
Discovery Streaming:
 Lewis and Clark Link to Video
 Oregon Trail Link to Video
Whole Class Read Aloud Literature:
 Rachel’s Journal: The Story of a Pioneer Girl by Marissa Moss
 Covered Wagons, Bumpy Trails by Verla Kay
 How to Get Rich on the Oregon Trail By Tod Olson, Scott Allred,
Gregory Proch and Mac Aronson
 Westward Expansion: An Interactive History Adventure by Allison
Lassieur
 Oregon Trail: The Road to Destiny by Frank Young (2011)
CBA: People
on the Move
TCI Lesson
Assessments
(Lesson
Masters)



Lesson 1
p.6-8
Lesson 15
p.189-191
Washington
Adventure
Assessments
(Teachers
Guide)




Chapter 2
p.55-57
Chapter 3
p.79-81
Chapter 4
p.95-97
Chapter 5
p. 113, 115
Grade 4 SS Curriculum Map
1
RSD Social Studies Committee 2013
Time
Frame
Materials and Resources
Unit Title
EALRs/GLEs
Essential Questions
Geography 3.1.2 Understands the physical, political, and cultural 
January
Living in
Washington: characteristics of places, regions, and people in the Pacific
Northwest including the difference between cities, states, and

March
Its
countries
Geography, Economics 2.2.1 Understands the basic elements of Washington
Resources, State’s economic system, including agriculture, business,
industry, natural resources, and labor

and the
Economics
2.2.2
Understands
that
the
economy
in
Washington
Economy
State relies on trade with Pacific Rim countries
Geography 3.3.1 Understands that learning about the
geography, natural resources, climate, and available labor
contribute to the sustainability of the economy of regions in
Washington State
Additional Text Resources (Unit 1)**

Roughing it on the Oregon Trail (The Time Travel Twins) by Holly Berry

If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon by Ellen Vevine and Elroy Freem

Daily Life in a Covered Wagon by Paul Erickson

The Oregon Trail (True Books: American History) by Elaine Landau

Westward to Home: Joshua’s Oregon Trail Diary by Patricia Hermes

Wagons Ho! By Joan Holub and George Hallowell

Life on the Oregon Trail (Picture the Past) By Sally Senzell Isaacs

Oregon Trail (True Books: Westward Expansion) by Mel Friedman

We the People: The Oregon Trail by Jean F. Blashfield

Children’s True Stories: Pioneers to the West by John Bliss
**These resources are not provided but are suggested supplemental trade books



How does geography
shape how we live?
How do political and
economic decisions
impact our environment
and quality of life?
What makes Washington
unique?
What are the
characteristics of the
geographic regions of
Washington?
How has Washington’s
physical geography and
resources contributed to
people’s decision to make
Washington their home?
Why is Washington’s
location on the Pacific
Rim important culturally,
politically, and
economically?
Possible
Assessments
(websites, videos, literature, curriculum packages)
TCI: Social Studies Alive!: Regions of Our Country*

Lesson 12: “A Van and Airplane Tour of the West” (Only “Reading

Lesson 13: “Cities of the West” (Only Section 13.5, Seattle, Washington,

Further,” Exploring the Pacific Crest Trail, student book pages 198-201)
student book pages 210-211)*Consider making commercials for other cities in
Washington State

 Lesson 14: “Researching Your State’s Geography”
 Lesson 16: “Researching Your State’s Economy”
*Other chapters are suggested, but not required
The Washington Adventure (additional text to support TCI)
 Chapter 1: Natural Washington
 Chapter 8: Earning a Living
BrainPOP:
 Geography Terms: Talk About a Sense of Place! Link to Video
 Landform Game Link to Game
 Volcanoes: Rivers of Molten Lava! Link to Video
 Plate Tectonics: The Earth – It’s Moving! Link to Video
 Earthquakes: Earthshaking Events! Link to Video
 Glaciers: A Huge Mountain of Ice! Link to Video
Discovery Streaming:
 Natural Resources Link to Video
 Economics Link to Video
 Pacific Coastal Region (Logging/Farming) Link to Video
Study Jams:
 Landforms Link to Video
Whole Class Read Aloud Literature:
 State Shapes: Washington by Erin McHugh
 Washington (Hello USA) By E. S. Powell
TCI Lesson
Assessments
(Lesson
Masters)




Lesson 12
p.155-157
Lesson 13
p.167-169
Lesson 14
p.179-181
Lesson 16
p.202-204
Washington
Adventure
Assessments
(Teachers
Guide)


Chapter 1
p.37,39
Chapter 8
p.159, 161
Additional Text Resources (Unit 2)**

Geology of the Pacific Northwest: Investigate How the Earth Was Formed
with 15 Projects (Build It Yourself Series) by Cynthia Light Brown
**These resources are not provided but are suggested supplemental trade books
Grade 4 SS Curriculum Map
2
RSD Social Studies Committee 2013
Time
Frame
March
- June
Materials and Resources
Unit Title
EALRs/GLEs
Being
Citizens in
Washington
Civics 1.2.1 Understands that governments are
organized into local, state, tribal, national levels.
Civics 1.1.1 Understands the key idea of rights set
forth in Article 1 of the Washington State
Constitution
SS Skills 5.1.1 Understands the concepts used in
documents and sources
Civics 1.2.2 Understands how and why state and tribal
governments make, interpret, and carry out policies,
rules, and laws
History 4.4.1 Understands that significant historical
events in Washington State have implications for
current decisions
Civics 1.1.2 Evaluates the effectiveness of law or policy
by explaining how it promotes ideals
Civics 1.4.1 Understands that civic participation
involves being informed about public issues and
voting in elections
Essential Questions






What rules and laws
do we need?
How do the citizens
of the state work
together to solve
problems?
How can citizens
make a difference?
What are the rights
and responsibilities of
citizens in
Washington?
What challenges does
Washington face as a
state?
How does
government respond
to the needs and
wants of the people
of Washington?
Possible
Assessments
(websites, videos, literature, curriculum packages)
TCI: Social Studies Alive!: Regions of Our Country*

 Lesson 17: Researching Your State’s Government
*Other chapters are suggested, but not required
The Washington Adventure (additional text to support TCI)
 Chapter 6: Beginning the 20th Century
 Chapter 7: Modern Times
 Chapter 9: Government For Us All
BrainPOP:
 Citizenship: Raise Your Right Hand Link to Video
Discovery Streaming:
 Citizenship Link to Video
 Laws Link to Video
 Tribal Laws Link to Video
Whole Class Read Aloud Literature:
 State Shapes: Washington by Erin McHugh
 Washington by E. S. Powell (2002)
 Weird Washington by Jeff Davis and Al Eufrasio
 State Government: Kids Guide to Government by
Ernestine Giesecke (2009)
TCI Lesson
Assessments
(Lesson
Masters)





Lesson 12
p.155-157
Lesson 13
p.167-169
Lesson 14
p.179-181
Lesson 16
p.202-204
Washington
Adventure
Assessments
(Teachers
Guide)



Chapter 6
p.127, 129
Chapter 7
p.145-147
Chapter 8
p.159, 161
Grade 4 SS Curriculum Map
3