The First 20 Days of Social Studies Instruction 5th Grade
Beginning in the Fall of 2009, all 5th grade curriculum and resources may be found on the
new Austin ISD Online IPGs. Below you will find a brief overview of the topics and
lessons for the first 20 days of school that can be found on the Online IPGs.
Building Community: Introductions, objectives, and symbols
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Introductions, objectives, and symbols
Icebreaker activity
Student interviews
Setting up an Interactive Student Notebook
Symbols of the United States
Regions of the United States—Physical Regions of the United States
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Using latitude and longitude
Identifying regions and physical features of the United States
Mapping the United States
Labor Day
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Mini-lesson on the History of Labor Day and the history of the labor movement in
the United States
Hispanic Heritage Month (September 16th through October 16th)
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Hispanic leaders, origins of Hispanic Heritage Month, contributions of local,
state, and national Hispanic Leaders
Celebrate Freedom Week (September 15th through 19th)
and Constitution Day (September 17th)
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Texas Celebrate Freedom Week
Instruction should include study of the intent, meaning, and importance of the
Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, including the Bill of
Rights, in their historical context.
The study of the Declaration of Independence should include the relationship of the ideas
expressed in that document to subsequent American history, including but not limited to
the relationship of its ideas to the rich diversity of our people as a nation of immigrants,
the American Revolution, the formulation of the United States Constitution, and the
abolitionist movement, which led to the Emancipation Proclamation and the women's
suffrage movement.
---- Excerpts from Texas’ Bill HB 1776 Celebrate Freedom Week