SOCIAL STUDIES
Grade Four
Course Description:
The fourth grade social studies program encompasses the study of people, places, and
events in the United States and New Jersey. The students will study the major strands of
geography, history, government, economics, and citizenship in both New Jersey and the
regions of the United States. The general goal of the fourth grade program is to link the
students more closely to history utilizing content, concepts, reading skills and geography
through community and real life experiences. The program will develop the students’
understanding of their environment, culture, nation, and state and will foster patriotism
and respect for diverse communities.
Prerequisites: None
TOPIC/UNIT 1: NEW JERSEY’S LAND AND EARLY PEOPLE
Approximate # of Weeks: 9
Essential Questions:
1. How have people in New Jersey been influenced by their environment?
2. Where is New Jersey located, and what are its natural regions and major cities?
3. How did New Jersey’s natural regions form, and what are the physical
characteristics in each region?
4. How would you describe the climate and natural resources of New Jersey?
5. Who were the Native American groups of New Jersey, and how did they live?
Objectives:
Each student will be able to:
Civics:
1. Explain that the world is divided into many nations consisting of territory and
people, with their own government, languages, customs and laws. (6.2.E1)
2. Identify aspects of culture and heritage presented in literature, art, music, sport, or
the media. (6.2.E1)
United States and New Jersey History
3. Discuss how families long ago expressed and transmitted their beliefs and values
through oral tradition, literature, songs and celebrations. (6.4A1)
4. Compare family life in a community of the present. (6.4A.2)
5. Discuss the history of Glen Ridge. (6.4A4)
6. Compare the major early culture of the Lenape that existed in the region that
became New Jersey prior to contact with the Europeans. (6.4B1)
7. Discuss the reasons why revolutionary leaders including George Washington,
Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Governor William Livingston, fought
for independence from England. (6.4B2)
8. Discuss the value of the American national heritage. (6.4B8)
Economics
9. Describe the products and services that are developed, manufactured or grown in
New Jersey. (6.5B2)
Geography
10. Use physical and political maps to identify locations and spatial relationships of
places within local and nearby communities.(6.6 A1)
11. Identify the major cities of New Jersey, the United States and the world. (6.6A4)
12. Locate time zones, latitude, longitude and the global grid.(6.6A6)
13. Identify the physical and human characteristics of places and regions in New
Jersey and the United States. (6.6B1)
14. Explain changes in places and regions over time and the consequences of those
changes (6.6B2)
15. Describe the geography of New Jersey. (6.6B3)
16. Discuss factors involved in the development of cities. (6.6B4)
17. Describe the basic components of the Earth’s physical systems, including
landforms, water, erosion, weather and climate, and discuss their impact on
human development. (6.6C1)
18. Describe the development of transportation and communication networks in New
Jersey and the United States. (6.6D1, 8.2A3)
19. Identify the distribution and characteristics for different regions of New Jersey
and the United States. (6.6D2)
20. Differentiate between living and non-living natural resources.(6.6E1)
21. Explain the nature, characteristics and distribution of renewable and nonrenewable resources.(6.6E2)
Suggested Activities/Ideas:
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Read “Rainbow Crow, a Lenape Tale.”
Write a persuasive letter.
Make a poster of New Jersey’s regions.
Write a paragraph about natural resources that you use each day.
Make a mural that shows how the Lenape lived.
Write a description of each of New Jersey’s four natural regions.
Write a narrative from the point of view of a Lenape Indian.
Draw an elevation map.
Make a table to categorize information about the people in a region past/present.
Create symbols to represent types of land in each region.
Suggested Project/Product Ideas:
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Write an information report.
Make a New Jersey atlas
Complete a United States regions note-taking project, color-coding and
organizing facts about the regions and researching to add extra facts.
TOPIC/UNIT 2: EXPLORATION TO EARLY STATEHOOD
Approximate # of Weeks: 9
Essential Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Why did Europeans come to North America?
How was the New Jersey colony divided and settled?
Why did the colonies want independence from Britain?
Why and how was the new Constitution written?
How did new forms of transportation change New Jersey?
Objectives:
Each student will be able to:
Social Studies Skills
1. Explain how present events are connected to the past. (6.1A1)
2. Apply terms related to time including years, decades, centuries and generations.
(6.1A2)
3. Locate sources for the same information. (6.1A3)
4. Organize events on a timeline. (6.1A4)
5. Distinguish between an eyewitness account and a secondary account of an event.
(6.1A5)
6. Distinguish fact from fiction. (6.1A6)
Civics
7. Differentiate between power and authority. (6.2A2, 9.2B2, 9.2D3)
8. Describe the contributions of voluntary associations and organizations in helping
government provide for its citizens. (6.2A5, 9.2D2)
9. Identify the fundamental values and principles of American democracy expressed
in the Pledge of Allegiance. (6.2B1, 9.2D2)
10. Explain the significance of symbols of American values and beliefs, including the
Statue of Liberty, the Statue of Justice, the American Flag and the national
anthem. (6.2B2)
11. Describe how American values and beliefs contribute to the continuation and
improvement of American democracy. (6.2B3, 9.2D2)
12. Evaluate the importance of traditions, values and beliefs, which form a common
American heritage in an increasingly diverse American society. (6.2B4)
13. Discuss how the Constitution describes how the United States government is
organized and how it defines and limits the power of government. (6.2C1)
United States and New Jersey History
14. Discuss how families long ago expressed and transmitted their beliefs and values
through oral tradition, literature, songs and celebrations. (6.4A1)
15. Discuss the reasons why various groups, voluntarily and involuntarily,
immigrated to America and New Jersey, and describe the problems they
encountered. (6.4A3)
16. Discuss the history of Glen Ridge. (6.4A4)
17. Compare the major early culture of the Lenape that existed in the region that
became New Jersey prior to contact with the Europeans. (6.4B1)
18. Discuss the reasons why revolutionary leaders including George Washington,
Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Governor William Livingston, fought
for independence from England. (6.4B2)
19. Discuss New Jersey’s role during the American Revolution. (6.4B3)
20. Identify major documents and symbols in New Jersey and American history.
(6.4B4)
21. Identify and discuss major scientific discoveries and inventions, the scientists and
inventors who developed them and their impact on life today. (6.4B5)
Economics
22. Explain that prices are the money values of goods and services and that prices
change as a result of supply and demand. (6.5A5)
Geography
23. Identify the physical and human characteristics of places and regions in New
Jersey and the United States. (6.6B1)
24. Explain changes in places and regions over time and the consequences of those
changes. (6.6B2)
25. Discuss factors involved in the development of cities. (6.6B4)
26. Describe the development of transportation and communication networks in New
Jersey and the United States. (6.6D1, 8.2A3)
Suggested Activities Ideas:
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Character sketch of George Washington.
Journal entry: arriving in New Netherland.
Compare/contrast East Jersey and West Jersey.
As a patriot, write a letter to Parliament explaining how the Stamp Act has taken
away freedoms.
Give a speech supporting the new Constitution.
Write a paragraph describing the growth of a New Jersey city in the early 1800’s.
Cause and effect.
Write a journal entry from the point of view of an early explorer of New Jersey.
Write a letter dated in the early 1800’s to someone who does not live in New
Jersey explaining the changes and growth of the time.
Suggested Project/Product Ideas:
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Write a narrative.
Publish a newspaper.
Draw a comic strip.
Write an editorial.
Write classified ads.
TOPIC/UNIT 3: PROGRESS AS A STATE:
GROWTH AND CHANGE
Approximate # of Weeks: 9
Essential Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
How did the issue of slavery affect New Jersey?
How did New Jersey grow and change in the early twentieth century?
How did New Jerseyans meet challenges during difficult times?
How had New Jersey changed by the end of the 1900’s?
Objectives:
Each student will be able to:
Social Studies Skills
1. Locate sources for the same information. (6.1A3)
2. Organize events on a timeline. (6.1A4)
3. Distinguish fact from fiction. (6.1A6)
Civics
4. Describe the characteristics of an effective rule or law. (6.2A1)
5. Recognize national, state and local legislators and government officials and
explain how to contact them for help or to express an opinion. (6.2A4)
6. Identify the fundamental values and principles of American democracy expressed
in the Pledge of Allegiance, the Declaration of Independence, the United States
Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and the first New Jersey Constitution. (6.2B1)
7. Describe the significant characteristics of an effective citizen and discuss ways to
influence public policy. (6.2D2, 9.2D2)
8. Describe the process by which immigrants can become United States citizens.
(6.2D3)
9. Define stereotyping and discuss how it impacts self image and interpersonal
relationships. (6.2E11)
United States and New Jersey History
10. Discuss the reasons why various groups, voluntarily and involuntarily,
immigrated to America and New Jersey, and describe the problems they
encountered. (6.4A3)
11. Discuss the history of Glen Ridge. (6.4A4)
12. Identify major documents and symbols in New Jersey and American history.
(6.4B4)
13. Identify and discuss major scientific discoveries and inventions, the scientists and
inventors who developed them and their impact on life today. (6.4B5, 8.2A3)
14. Discuss the experience of immigrants who came to the United States and New
Jersey, including reasons for immigrating, experiences at Ellis Island, and
working and living conditions in America. (6.4B6)
15. Describe the population shift from the farm to the city in New Jersey. (6.4B7)
16. Discuss the value of the American national heritage. (6.4B8)
Geography
17. Explain changes in places and regions over time and the consequences of those
changes. (6.6B2)
Suggested Activities/Ideas:
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Make a map showing Underground Railroad stations in New Jersey.
Write newspaper headlines for New Jersey in the early 1900’s
Make a poster to inspire people to overcome challenging times of WWI, WWII or
the Great Depression.
Write a letter persuading someone that the Civil Rights Movement is important.
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Write a short report about New Jersey’s participation in the Civil War.
Summarize the changes in New Jersey’s population since the Civil War.
Suggested Project/Product Ideas:
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Write an essay that explains how New Jersey has grown and changed from 1800
to today, including inventions and population growth.
Make a New Jersey timeline from 1800’s to today.
Paint a portrait of a person who played an important role in New Jersey history.
Make a table by decades to compare events from 1800 – present.
Make a map of the United States in 1861 and identify Union and Confederate
states.
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TOPIC/UNIT 4: NEW JERSEY TODAY
Approximate
# of Weeks: 9
Essential Questions:
1. What are the roles of the three branches of the United States government?
2. How are New Jersey’s state and local governments organized?
3. What makes New Jersey a diverse state?
Objectives:
Each student will be able to:
Civics
1. Recognize that the government exists at the community, county, state and federal
levels. (6.2A3)
2. Describe the contributions of voluntary organizations in helping government
provide for its citizens. (6.2A5)
3. Identify the fundamental values and principles of American democracy expressed
in the Pledge of Allegiance, the Declaration of Independence, the United States
Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and the first New Jersey Constitution. (6.2B1,
9.2D2)
4. Explain the significance of symbols of American values and beliefs, including the
Statue of Liberty, the Statue of Justice, the American Flag and the national
anthem. (6.2B2)
5. Describe how American values and beliefs contribute to the continuation and
improvement of American democracy. (6.2B3, 9.2D2)
6. Evaluate the importance of traditions, values and beliefs, which form a common
American heritage in an increasingly diverse American society. (6.2B4)
7. Discuss how the Constitution describes how the United States government is
organized and how it defines and limits the power of government. (6.2C1)
8. Discuss how governmental bodies make decisions and explain the impact of those
decisions on school and community life. (6.2C2)
9. Identify major services provided by state and local government. (6.2C3)
10. Delineate the respective roles of the three branches of the federal and state
governments. (6.2C4)
11. Explain that a citizen is a legally recognized member of the United States with
rights and responsibilities, such as voting in elections and serving on juries.
(6.2D1, 9.2D2)
12. Describe the significant characteristics of an effective citizen and discuss ways to
influence public policy. (6.2D2, 9.2D2)
13. Discuss how the United States interacts with other nations of the world through
trade, treaties and agreements, diplomacy, cultural contacts and sometimes
through the use of military force. (6.2 E2, 9.2C2)
14. Explain why it is important for nations to communicate and resolve disagreements
through peaceful means. (6.2 E3, 9.2C1)
15. Outline the purposes of the United Nations. (6.2E4)
16. Identify current issues that may have a global impact and discuss ways to address
them. (6.2E5)
17. Explain why it is important to understand diverse peoples, ideas and cultures.
(6.2E6)
18. Explain that even within a culture, diversity may be affected by race, religion or
class. (6.2E7)
19. Identify aspects of culture and heritage presented in literature, art, music, sport or
the media. (6.2E8)
20. Examine common and diverse traits of other cultures and compare to their own
culture. (6.2E9)
21. Use technology to learn about students and their families in other countries
through classroom links, email and internet research. (6.2E10, 8.1B1)
United States and New Jersey History
22. Discuss the history of Glen Ridge. (6.4A4)
23. Explain that Americans have come from different parts of the world and have a
common American heritage, in addition to the heritage of the countries of origin.
(6.4A5)
24. Describe situations in which people from diverse backgrounds work together to
solve common problems. (6.4A6)
25. Identify major documents and symbols in New Jersey and American history.
(6.4B4)
26. Discuss the value of the American heritage. (6.4B8)
Economics
27. Distinguish between goods and services. (6.5A1)
28. Distinguish between a want and a need and explain how to choose needed goods
and services. (6.5A2)
29. Explain the three functions of money in the economy.
30. Discuss how natural, human and capital resources are used to produce goods and
to provide services. (6.5A4)
31. Define consumers as buyers and producers as workers and sellers. (6.5A6)
32. Explain that people can improve their ability to earn income by gaining new
knowledge, skills and experiences. (6.5A7, 9.2B3, 9.2D1)
33. Describe how to earn and save money in order to purchase a needed or desired
item. (6.5A8)
34. Explain that some essential goods and services are provided by the government.
(6.5B1)
35. Describe products and services that are developed, manufactured or grown in
New Jersey. (6.5B2)
Geography
36. Use physical and political maps to identify locations and spatial relationships of
places within local and nearby communities. (6.6A1)
37. Locate time zones, latitude, longitude and the global grid. (6.6A6)
38. Discuss factors involved in the development of cities. (6.6B4)
39. Describe the development of transportation and communication networks in New
Jersey and the United States. (6.6B2)
Suggested Activities/Ideas:
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Current events reporting.
Make a chart naming New Jersey’s members of the House of Representatives.
Write how to practice responsible citizenship.
Make an advertisement for your business explaining the goods or services your
business provides.
Suggested Project/Product Ideas:
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Write a summary telling how national, state and local governments make laws.
Make a New Jersey bulletin board.
Write a biography of a famous New Jerseyan.
Make a collage of illustrations of events that happen in New Jersey, such as
cultural festivals and parades.
Make a bar graph showing the populations of New Jersey’s five largest cities.
Create a family trip that includes historical and cultural sights.
Student Resources:
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Harcourt Social Studies New Jersey
Electronic New Jersey – A Digital Archive of New Jersey History
(http://www2.scc.rutgers.edu/njh/)
Scholastic News
Primary Source Collection
Interactive e-book activities
Assorted story books
Teacher Resources:
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Harcourt Social Studies New Jersey
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Interactive map transparencies, desk maps, atlas
Time Links Interactive Timeline
Vocabulary transparencies, graphic organizers, wall maps
Software/Online/Media Resources:
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Harcourt music CD
Audiotext CD
Multimedia biographies
Streaming video
PBS video supplements
Microsoft Office
Internet Explorer
PBS.org
NPR.org
Websites:
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www.harcourtschool.com
Electronic New Jersey – A Digital Archive of New Jersey History
(http://www2.scc.rutgers.edu/njh/)
New Jersey History Partnership (http://njhistorypartnership.org/contents.htm)
New Jersey Digital Highway
(http://njdigitalhighway.org/resource_center_educ.php)
The Official Web Site for the State of New Jersey
(http://www.state.nj.us/govinfo/country/)
Field Trips:
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The Lenape Traveling Museum Show
Glen Ridge Historical Society; New Jersey Historical Society
Thomas Edison Museum
The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Newark Museum
Major Forms of Assessment:
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Homework and Practice book
Tests
Activity and Project rubrics
Other performance assessments (oral presentations, dramatizations)
Career Education and Life Skills:
Standard 9.2B2 Apply project planning and management skills in academic and/or
occupational settings.
Standard 9.2B3 Compare and contrast methods for maximizing personal productivity.
Standard 9.2C1 Model interpersonal and effective conflict resolution skills with peers
and teachers, who will also model the behavior of effective and intelligent argument
through debate.
Standard 9.2C2 Communicate effectively in a variety of settings with a diverse group
of people.
Standard 9.2D1 Analyze how character influences work performance.
Standard 9.2D2 Identify and research privileges and duties of citizens in a democratic
society.
Standard 9.2D3 Discuss consequences and sanctions when on-the-job rules and laws
are not followed.
Technological Literacy:
Standard 8.1B1 Describe the potential and implications of contemporary and
emerging computer applications for personal, social, lifelong learning, and workplace
needs.
Standard 8.2A3 Provide various examples of how technological developments have
shaped American history.
Geni Sackson & Meghan LoBue
July 14, 2008
Faculty Member’s Name
Date Submitted
Joseph Caravela
July 25, 2008
Supervisor’s Name
Date Approved