• Course Description

    In fifth grade, students engage in the study of events, documents, movements, and people emphasizing the time period between 1800 and 2000 in America with a focus on inquiry into the continuing development of the United States as a nation. This survey of U.S. History between 1800 and 2000 requires that students consider questions such as the essential questions listed below.

    Grade Level:  Fifth Grade

    Related Priority Standards (State &/or National):  Missouri Learning Standards for Social Studies (K-5)

    KSD Priority Standards for 5th Grade Social Studies

    • Apply the principles of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights to historical time periods being studied and to current events (5.PC.1)
    • Analyze how authoritative decisions are made, enforced, and interpreted by the federal government across historical time periods and current events (5.GS.2.C)
    • Distinguish between power and functions of local, state, and national government in the past and present (5.GS.2.D)
    • Explore how economic, political and social rights and roles of individuals and groups have changes over time in the United States in conjunction with key events between 1800-2000 (5.H.3, 5.RI.6.E)
    • Analyze ways by which citizens have effectively voiced opinions, monitored government, and brought about change both past and present (5.PC.1)
    • Examine cultural interactions and conflicts among Native Americans, European Americans, and African Americans between 1800-2000 (5.H.3.B)
    • Describe the impact of migration on immigrants and the United States between 1800-2000 (5.H.3.A)
    • Identify political, economic, and social causes and consequences of WWI, WWII, the Great Depression, the Cold War, and other major political developments and reform between 1800-2000 (5.H.3, 5.RI.6.E)
    • Explain factors, past and present, that influence changes in our nation’s economy (5.E.4.D)
    • Analyze ways by which citizens have effectively voiced opinions, monitored government, and brought about change both past and present (5.PC.1)
    • Evaluate how changes in communication and transportation technologies affect people’s lives. (5.EG.5.E)

    Essential Questions

    • In “We the People,” who is we?
    • What are the values of the United States?
    • How are the values of the United States visible in our government, founding documents, and early history?
    • How are these values evolving or staying the same over time?
    • Are all cultural groups included in these values?
    • What impact does war have on the values of a nation?
    • How do wars change the United States?
    • What causes changes to the economy?
    • How have changes in communication and transportation technology affected different peoples’ lives?

    Course-Level Scope & Sequence (Units &/or Skills)

    Unit 1: U.S. Government - We the People

    In this unit, students will explore the values of the United States and how they are shown in our government, founding documents, and early history.  Students will:

    • Apply the principles of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights  to the historical time periods being studied and to current events
    • Analyze ways by which citizens have effectively voiced opinions, monitored government, and brought about change both past and present
    • Analyze how authoritative decisions are made, enforced, and interpreted by the federal government across historical time periods and current events
    • Distinguish between powers and functions of local, state, and national government in the past and present

    Unit 2: Changes in Rights

    In this unit, students will examine changes in rights for groups over time, including Native Americans, immigrants, African Americans, and women.  Students will explore the values of the United States, how these values are changing or staying the same over time, and if/how all cultural groups are included in these values.  Students will:

    • Explain the causes and consequences of major political developments and reform in U.S. history from c. 1800-2000
    • Outline the territorial expansion of the United States
    • Examine cultural interactions and conflicts among Native Americans, European Americans, and African Americans from c. 1800-2000
    • Describe the impact of migration on immigrants and the United States c. 1800-2000
    • Compare cultural characteristics across historical time periods in the U.S. post 1800
    • Examine the changing roles among Native Americans, immigrants, African Americans, women, and others from 1800-2000

    Unit 3: Changes in the United States

    In this unit, students will examine economic and political changes in the United States over time, including during and as a result of major events/periods such as Westward Expansion, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Great Depression.  Students will explore the values of the United States, how these values are changing over time, the impact of war on the values of a nation, how wars changed the United States, and what causes changes to the economy.  Students will:

    • Analyze ways by which citizens have effectively voiced opinions, monitored government, and brought about change both past and present
    • Explain the causes and consequences of major political developments and reform in U.S. history from c. 1800-2000
    • Identify political, economic, and social causes and consequences of the Great Depression
    • Identify political, economic, and social causes and consequences of WWI and WWII on the United States
    • Explain factors, past and present, that influence changes in our nation’s economy

    Unit 4: Changes in Technology

    In this unit, students will examine technological changes over time and how the values of the United States are staying the same, evolving, and are shown over time.  In addition, students will explore how changes in communication and transportation technologies (i.e. the Transcontinental Railroad, the Industrial Revolution, steamboat, car, and the Internet) have impacted people’s lives.  Students will:

    • Analyze ways by which citizens have effectively voiced opinions, monitored government, and brought about change, both past and present
    • Identify the political, economic, and social consequences of the Cold War on the United States
    • Evaluate how changes in communication and transportation affect people’s lives
    • Explain the causes and consequences of major political developments and reform in U.S. history from c. 1800-2000
    • Research stories and songs that reflect the cultural history of the United States c. 1800-2000

    Course Resources & Materials:  A variety of resources are used to support instruction of this curriculum, including primary source documents, maps, atlases, articles, trade books, and videos from Brainpop, Flocabulary, iCivics, and other online resources.  As a reference, teachers may also use Everything Your Need to Ace American History in One Big Fat Notebook.  In addition, the following trade books were purchased in support of the fifth grade curriculum:

    • Cheyenne Again
    • I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark
    • Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case of R.G.B vs. Inequality

    Date Last Revised/Approved:  2019