AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: Social Studies
IPG: Fourth Nine Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 4
MAJOR CONCEPT # 1: Change
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Events that occurred outside of Texas caused change in the state.
Guiding
Questions
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What events caused change in the state of Texas?
What changes caused Texas to develop into a modern state?
How did changes in transportation and the highway system affect Texas?
How did civil rights bring change to Texas?
How has technology brought change to Texas?
MAJOR CONCEPT # 2: Systems
Overarching
Ideas

Industries in Texas are important to its economic system.
Guiding
Questions
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How did the oil industry affect the Texas economic system?
What effect does the Johnson Space Center in Houston have on the Texas economic system?
How does free enterprise affect the Texas economic system?
How do industries affect the Texas economic system?
Overarching
Ideas
© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
1
AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: Social Studies
IPG: Fourth Nine Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 4
MAJOR CONCEPT # 3: Government
Overarching
Ideas
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Local governments in Texas have different structures
Local governments in Texas provide services to the population.
The state government has three branches of government.
Guiding
Questions
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What are local governments?
How do local governments provide and fund services for the population?
What are the branches of the state government and what do they do?
How does the state government compare to the national government?
How does a government guarantee a citizen’s rights?
How does being a responsible citizen support the government?
MAJOR CONCEPT # 4: Environment
Overarching
Ideas

Protecting the environment keeps the land and water healthy for people, animals and plants.
Guiding
Questions
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Why is it necessary to protect the environment?
How can people protect the environment?
© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
2
AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: Social Studies
IPG: Fourth Nine Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 4
MAJOR CONCEPT # 5: Leadership
Overarching
Ideas
Guiding
Questions

Texas leaders demonstrate responsible citizenship in a democratic society at a state and national
level.
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What qualities does a leader have?
How does a person become a leader?
What does a leader do?
Who are Texas leaders?
MAJOR CONCEPT # 6: Location and Places
Overarching
Ideas

Maps give us a visual graphic of our location.
Guiding
Questions
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How does a map show the geographical features of our location?
How does a map show us what places are near our location?
© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
3
AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: Social Studies
IPG: Fourth Nine Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 4
MAJOR CONCEPT # 7: Culture
Overarching
Ideas
Guiding
Questions

People learn about themselves and other cultures through customs and celebrations.
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How do customs and celebrations help people learn about themselves and their culture?
How do customs and celebrations help people learn about other cultures?
© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
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