Phoenix Christian Central Elementary School
Fourth Grade Social Studies
Course Scope & Sequence
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This Social Studies Curriculum provides the students the
opportunity to tie learning American History with the experience of being a citizen in their
everyday culture of school, home –neighborhood and in their Churches. American history is
presented chronologically in a Christian perspective. The study of American history is
enhanced with skills in chart reading, map reading and geography.
REQUIRED TEXTS AND *KEY SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS:
The History of Our United States, The History of Our United States Geography / Maps and
Reviews from Abeka Book
Do Arizona by Amy Headley and Victoria Smith - Teacher’s Edition & Student’s Edition
COURSE SCOPE AND SEQUENCE
First Quarter
Biblical Integration:
Genesis: 1
Students will read and research how the early explorers were overwhelmed by their
discoveries of the beauty and richness of the earth, through the geography of the
land and the oceans.
John 3:16
Students will discover how God’s message of Salvation; through His Word, was
brought to the Native Americans by European missionaries. They showed God’s love
to the people through their kindness and faithfulness to God.
Deuteronomy 6: 5
The students will observe the ways the early forefathers of our country sought the
freedom to worship God with all of their heart, soul, and mind.
Chapters 1 & 2
3 Weeks
Key Concepts: Discovery of America, Conquest of the New World, and the
Americans’ Creed.
Assessments: Maps 1-5, Skill Sheets 1-4, Test 1, and Quizzes 1-3
Chapters 3 & 4
3 Weeks
Key Concepts: First Americans, Then English Come to America, and Declaration of
Independence.
Assessments: Maps 6-8, Skill Sheets 5-7, Test 2, and Quizzes 4-5
Chapters 5, 6 & 7
3 Weeks
Key Concepts: New England Colonies & Middle and Southern Colonies.
Assessments: Maps 9-10, Skill Sheets 8-10, Test 3, and Quizzes 6-8, Nine Weeks
Exam
Second Quarter
Biblical Integration:
John 16:8
The students will discover that as a result of the Great Awakening there was a
spiritual revival that swept through the colonies in which the founding fathers
preached sermons about salvation, and the people were convicted of their sins and
their need for Christ.
Acts 1:8
The students will be presented with the history of the first American missionaries who
went to the frontiers of America preaching to settlers and Native Americans. This was
the foundation of Americans going to all corners of the world to preach the gospel.
Matthew 6:26
The students will learn how the Constitution of the United States and the Declaration
of Independence were written with the hand of God present in the work. Benjamin
Franklin said that God governs in the affairs of men. (Text p. 77)
Chapters 8 & 9
3 Weeks
Key Concepts: The Great Awakening, The French and Indian War, The Preamble to
the Constitution of the United States of America.
Assessments: Maps 11, 17, Skill Sheets 13-14, Test 5, and Quizzes 10-11
Chapters 10
3 Weeks
Key Concepts: The American War for Independence & The First Amendment to the
Constitution of the United States of America.
Assessments: Maps 12, 18, Skill Sheets 15-17, Test 6, and Quizzes 12-14
Chapters 11 & 12
3 Weeks
Key Concepts: Building a New Nation, Growth of the Nation, and Rights of
Americans.
Assessments: Maps 12-14, 18, Skill Sheets 18-21, Test 7 & 8, and Quizzes 15-17
Third Quarter – Arizona
Biblical Integration:
 Page 2
Students will discover how God provided for the people in the early southwest.
Genesis 1
The students will research God’s creation throughout the Arizona unit. They will
investigate the mountain ranges, rivers, plants, and animals by studying God’s
creation throughout Arizona.
Yellow Section – Lessons 1-3
2 Weeks
Key Concepts: Arizona’s geography: regions, lakes, rivers, and points of interest.
Assessments: Arizona Maps, Resource Worksheets, Quizzes.
Purple Section Lessons 1-4
2 Weeks
Key Concepts: Arizona’s mammals, birds fish and reptiles and plants
Assessments: Arizona Maps, Resource Worksheets, Quizzes.
Orange Section Lessons 1-8
4 Weeks
Key Concepts: Ancient Indians, Spanish in Arizona, Americans in Arizona, The
Mexican War, Territorial Days, Arizona: The 48th State, Arizona Government,
Arizona’s Modern Indians
Assessments: Arizona Maps, Resource Worksheets, Quizzes.
Suggested Field Trips: Arizona’s Capitol Museum, Arizona’s Capitol Museum
Traveling History Presentation, The Rosson House History Tour, The Art Museum’s
Classroom Arizona Presentation
Blue Section Lessons 1-5
Key Concepts: Cattle, Copper, Climate Cotton, Citrus
1 Weeks
Assessments: Arizona Maps, Resource Worksheets, Quizzes.
Suggested Projects for the Arizona Unit:
Use Arizona Highways Magazines and find pictures of Arizona’s natural beauty.
Have students create collages of pictures with
captions describing the points of interest. Create a bulletin board to celebrate
Arizona’s birthday.
Integrate a Literature Study on the subject of Arizona, frontier life,
westward expansion, territorial days, and Native Americans. (Do Arizona Book
Teacher’s Guide provides the study guide and the Annotated Bibliography).
Arizona Collection Presentation: Have the students bring a collection or a specific
item that represents a part of Arizona to present and display. This could include items
such as rocks, Native American jewelry, pottery, weavings, or paintings. Cowboy or
pioneer items, postcards, photographs, or keepsakes from Arizona places of Interest.
 Page 3
Cross-curricular Activities: Written and illustrated reports on Arizona plants and
animals. Related field trip to the botanical gardens or the zoo.
Fourth Quarter
Biblical Integration:
1 Corinthians 12:13
The students will journey through the Civil War and will read the words of Abraham
Lincoln quoting Thomas Jefferson that “all men are created equal.” “He believed that
the secret to America’s greatness was the idea that all men are created equal in
worth to God.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
The students will read through the timeline of World Wars I and II, Vietnam, and
Desert Storm. They will see the pattern of God’s blessings and faithfulness to
America as the United States continues to prosper through faithfulness of Christians.
Chapters 13 and 14
Key Concepts: The Civil War, New Frontiers
2 Weeks
Assessments: U.S. States and Capitals Memorization Quizzes, Maps 15 – 16, Skills
Sheets 24 – 27, Quizzes 26 – 28, Test 12 and 13, States and Capitals Test
Chapters 15 and 16
Key Concepts: An Age of Progress, Beyond Our Boundaries
2 Weeks
Assessments: States and Capitals Memorization, Maps 15 – 18, Skills Sheets 28 –
34, Quizzes 29 – 32, Test 14 and 15, States and Capitals Final
Chapters 17 and 18
2 Weeks
Key Concepts: The World Wars, Time for Freedom and Responsibility
Assessments: Maps 16, 18, Skills Sheets 35 – 40, Quizzes 33 – 36, Test 16 and 17,
American President Memorization Quiz, Nine – Weeks Examination
Extended Activities for Reinforcement:
Book Report: Biography or Autobiography Book Report of an Important Historical
Figure. Extra Credit Options for Report: Perform a dramatic presentation of the
person. Dress in costume and write a dialogue from the character.
Make a movie poster presenting a movie about the historical figure.
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