Our school participates in the Social Studies Alive! program through TCI.
We are piloting the newest version of this program this year, and, I have to say, it’s pretty exciting. There is a strong online component that fills in where teachers had to supplement with the older program.
We are piloting the newest version of this program this year, and, I have to say, it’s pretty exciting. There is a strong online component that fills in where teachers had to supplement with the older program.
The fourth grade curriculum focuses on several main ideas in the student’s study of the United States. The Table of Contents at this link gives a nice summary of the major learning components at our grade level.
The part of social studies that makes it come “alive” is the strong focus on simulations. Rather than simply reading about concepts, the students work collaboratively in groups. Sometimes, they are travelers in Jamestown, Virginia. Other times, they are taking a train tour of the Northeast. At each “stop,” the lesson is infused with the history of the region in a way that is enjoyable to understand. Students create a scrapbook for the regions that we “visit.”
Another component of fourth grade social studies is understanding structures of government. We take time as a class to discuss our state and national Constitutions, persons holding elected offices, and the freedoms we have as US citizens. We take a trip to Springfield, our State Capital, to visit the Lincoln Presidential Museum and the Capitol Building. It’s one of the best parts of fourth grade!
Conquer the States
Scribble States
Ameriquake
Test on States
Find the State
Place the State
Puzzled States
United States States and Capitals
Where is the Mysterious Mr. N.?
United States Map Quiz
Links for State Project:
50 States Project (Mrs. Renz's 4th Grade Class)
State Facts for Kids from the Census Bureau
State Websites (Kids.gov)
Ben's Guide to US Government
Make Your Own License Plate
Census Scope (populations)
Average Temperatures (know a city in your state)
State Flags (scroll to bottom and click on your state)
Average Precipitation for States
Minerals mined in states
