North East Social Studies Excellence

Fourth Grade Curriculum Guide

 

By the end of Fourth Grade the Student will:
 

1.    Identify regions in Texas and the Western Hemisphere that result from physical features and from human activity, including location, distribution, patterns of economic activities, and settlement.

2.    Understand methods that early Native Americans in Texas and the Western Hemisphere used to meet their basic economic motivations for government.

3.    Identify basic economic motivations for European exploration and colonization and reasons for establishment of Spanish missions.

4.    Identify important issues, events and individuals, especially people of various racial, ethnic and religious groups of the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries.

5.    Describe the impact of science and technology on life in the state of Texas.

6.    Identify geographic regions of the United States and Texas.

7.    Use critical thinking skills to identify cause and effect relationships, compare and contrast, and make generalizations.

8.    Differentiate between, locate, and use primary and secondary sources.

 

Unit of Study

Timeline

Continuous Threads – Social Studies Skills

Integrated throughout the school year

Regions of Texas and Native American Life

9 weeks

Exploration and Settlement in Texas

9 weeks

The Battle for Texas: Independence through Reconstruction 9 weeks
Government and Citizenship 4 weeks
Innovation and Progress in Texas 5 weeks

 

UNIT: Continuous Threads - Social Studies Skills

Time Frame: Year Long Integration

TEKS
4.6
The student uses geographic tools to collect, analyze, and interpret data

4.6A apply geographic tools,  including grid systems, legends, symbols, scales,  and compass roses, to construct and interpret maps

4.6B translate geographic data into a variety of formats such as raw data to graphs and maps

4.8 The student understands the location and patterns of settlement and the geographic factors that influence where people live.

4.8C describe the location of cities in Texas and explain their distribution, past and present

4.22 The student applies critical-thinking skills to organize and use information acquired from a variety of sources including electronic technology.

4.22A differentiate between, locate, and use primary and secondary sources such as computer software; interviews; biographies; oral, print, and visual material; and artifacts to acquire information about the United States and Texas

4.22B analyze information by sequencing, categorizing, identifying, cause-and-effect relationships, comparing, contrasting,  finding the main idea, summarizing,  making  generalizations and predictions,  and drawing inferences and  conclusions

4.22C organize and interpret information in outlines, reports, databases, and visuals including graphs, charts, timelines, and maps

4.22D identify different points of view  about an issue or topic

4.22E identify the elements of frame of reference that influenced the participants in the an event

4.22F use appropriate mathematical skills to interpret  social studies information such as maps and graphs

4.23 The student communicates in written, oral, and visual forms

4.23A use social studies terminology correctly

4.23B incorporate main and supporting ideas in verbal and written communication

4.23C express ideas orally based on research and experiences

4.23D create written and visual material such as journal entries, reports, graphic organizers, outlines, and bibliographies

4.23E use standard grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and punctuation

4.24 The student uses problem-solving and decision-making skills, working independently and with others, in a variety of settings
4.24A use a problem-solving process to identify a problem, gather information, list and consider options, consider advantages and disadvantages, choose and implement a solution, and evaluate the effectiveness of the solution

4.24B use a decision-making process to identify a situation that requires a decision, gather information, identify options , predict consequences, and take action to implement a decision

4.20 The student understands the contributions of people of various racial, ethnic, and religious groups to Texas
4.20B identify customs, celebrations, and traditions of various culture groups in Texas

Language/Vocabulary

artifact

biography

categorize

conclude

compass rose

data

database

distribution

economic

generalize

graph

grid system

group

infer

interpret

irrigation

landform

latitude

legend

longitude

natural resources

outline

predict

primary source

scale

secondary source

sequence

symbol

timeline

Literature Connections

Adams, S. & Murdoch, D. Eyewitness Books, TEXAS.

Haslam, A. Make it Work! Maps. Scholastic.

 

UNIT: Regions of Texas and Native American Life

Time Frame: 9 Weeks

TEKS

4.7 The student understands the concept of regions.

4.7B describe a variety of regions  in Texas and the Western Hemisphere such a landform, climate, and vegetation regions that result from physical characteristics (Central Plains, Great Plains, Mountains and Basins, and Coastal Plains)

4.7C compare and contrast the regions of Texas with regions of the United States and other parts of the world (Western Region)

4.1 The student understands the causes and affects of European exploration and colonization of Texas and the Western Hemisphere
4.1A
identify Native-American groups in Texas and the Western Hemisphere before European exploration and describe the regions in which they lived

4.1B compare the ways of life of Native-American groups in Texas and the Western Hemisphere before European exploration (Explain how these ways of life changed after European began exploring Texas and the Western Hemisphere)
4.10 The student understands the basic economic patterns of early societies in Texas and the Western Hemisphere
4.10A
explain the economic patters of early Native-American groups in Texas and the Western Hemisphere

4.15 The student understands how people organized governments in different ways during the early development of Texas
4.15A
compare how selected Native-American groups governed themselves (Caddo - confederacy; Karankawa - village chiefs; Jumano - village governments; Comanche - band leaders)
4.9 The student understands how people adapt to and modify their environment
4.9B
identify reasons why people have adapted to and modified their environment in Texas, past and present, such as the use of natural resources to meet their basic needs

Language/Vocabulary

adobe

Apache

aquifer

artifact

barrier island

basin

buffalo

Caddo

climate

Comanche

desert

drought

economic

empire

escarpment

farming

glacier

Gulf of Mexico

harvest

hide [buffalo]

landform

Jumano

Karankawa

marsh

mesquite

Mexico

modify

Native American

natural resource

North America

settlement pattern

plain

plateau

population

prairie

prehistory

pueblo

religion

region

reservoir

teepee

Tonkawa

tributary

vegetation

Western Hemisphere

Literature Connections
Ashrose, C. The Very First Americans
Adams, S. & Murdoch, D. Eyewitness Books,
TEXAS

Bruchac, J. & Locker, T. The Earth Under Sky Bear’s Feet, Native American Poems of the Land

Cherry, L. The Armadillo from Amarillo

Burnett, M. The First Texans

Warren, B. Indians Who Lived in Texas

 

 UNIT: Exploration and Settlement in Texas

Time Frame: 9 Weeks

TEKS
4.2
The student understands the causes and effects of European exploration and colonization of Texas and the Western Hemisphere.

4.2A summarize reasons for European exploration and settlement of Texas and the Western Hemisphere (Analyze the impact of European exploration and settlement of Texas and the Western Hemisphere)

4.2B identify the accomplishments of significant explorers such as Cabeza de Vaca, Christopher Columbus, Francisco Coronado, Alonso Alvarez de Pineda,  and Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle  and explain their impact on the settlement  of Texas

4.2C explain when, where, and why the Spanish established Catholic missions in Texas (Analyze the impact of missions on the areas where they were established)

4.2D identify the accomplishments of significant empresarios including Moses Austin, Stephen F. Austin, and Martin de Leon and explain their impact on the settlement of Texas
4.2E identify the impact of Mexico's independence from Spain on the events in Texas

4.8
The student understands the location and patterns of settlement and the geographic factors that influence where people live.

4.8A identify clusters of settlement in Texas and explain their distribution

4.8B explain the geographic factors that influence patterns of settlement and the distribution of settlement in Texas

4.8C describe the location of cities in Texas and explain their distribution, past

4.8D explain the geographic factors that influence patterns of settlement  and the distribution of population in Texas, past

4.9 The student understands how people adapt to and modify their environment.

4.9C analyze the consequences of human modification of the environment in Texas, past and present
4.11
The student understands the reasons for exploration and colonization.

4.11A identify the economic motivations for European exploration and settlement in Texas and the Western Hemisphere (identify and evaluate the impact of the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and the effects it had on Texas)
4.11B identify the economic motivations for Anglo-American colonization in Texas

4.10
The student understands the basic economic patterns of early societies in Texas and the Western Hemisphere.

4.10B explain the economic patterns of early European immigrants to Texas and

the Western Hemisphere

4.20 The student understands the contributions of people of various racial, ethnic, and religious groups to Texas.

4.20A identify the similarities and differences within and among selected racial, ethnic, and religious groups in Texas

4.20B identify customs, celebrations, and traditions of various culture groups in Texas

4.7 The student understands the concept of regions.

4.7C compare and contrast the regions of Texas with regions of the United States  and other parts of the world

4.4 The student understands the political, economic, and social changes in Texas during the last half of the 19th century

4.4D describe the effects of political, economic, and social changes on Native Americans in Texas

Language/Vocabulary

colony

conquistador

empresario

England

European

exploration

immigrants

factor

distribution

France

Germany

Portugal

Louisiana Purchase

Mexico

mission

modify

presidios

revolution

settlement

Spain

vaqueros

Literature Connections
Adams, S. & Murdoch, D. Eyewitness Books,
TEXAS

Erickson, P. Daily Life in a Covered Wagon

 

UNIT: The Battle for Texas: Independence through Reconstruction

Time Frame: 9 Weeks

TEKS
4.3
The student understands the cause and effects of the Texas Revolution, the Republic of Texas, and the annexation of Texas to the United States.

4.3A analyze the causes, major events, and effects of the Texas Revolution, including the battles of the Alamo and San Jacinto (analyze the causes [ex. the law of April 6, 1830], major events [ex. the Texas Declaration of Independence and the Convention of 1836)

4.3B describe the successes and problems of the Republic of Texas [1845] (for example setting up a new government)
4.3C
explain the event that led to the annexation of Texas to the United States (
for example Mexico still a threat and Texas in debt)

4.3D explain the impact of the Mexican War on Texas [1846-1848] (for example border disputes and the growth of Texas)

4.3E identify leaders important to the founding of Texas as a republic and state, including Sam Houston, Mirabeau Lamar, and Anson Jones
4.7 The student understands the concept of regions

4.7C compare the regions of Texas with regions of the United States and other parts of the world (Southeastern Region)
4.15 The student understands how people organized governments in different ways during the early development of Texas.

4.15B identify characteristics of Spanish and Mexican colonial governments and describe their influence on inhabitants of Texas
4.16 The student understands important ideas in historic documents of Texas.

4.16A identify the purposes and explain the importance of the Texas Declaration of Independence [1836], the Texas Constitution [1836], and the Treaty of Velasco [1836]
[
compare the main points and ideas of the Texas Declaration of Independence to the
United States Declaration of Independence (1776)]
4.18
The student understands the importance of voluntary individual participation in the democratic process.

4.18C identify the importance of historical figures such as Sam Houston and Lorenzo de Zavala who modeled active participants in the democratic process (explain their contributions to the development of Texas)
4.17
The student understands important customs, symbols, and celebrations of Texas.

4.17A explain the meaning of selected patriotic symbols and landmarks of Texas, including the six flags over Texas, San Jose Mission , and the San Jacinto Monument
4.17B
sing or recite Texas, Our Texas

4.17C recite and explain the meaning of the Pledge to the Texas Flag

4.17D describe the origins and significance of state celebration such as Juneteenth [June 19, 1865]
4.4
The student understands the political, economic, and social changes in Texas during the last half of the 19th century

4.4A describe the impact of the Civil War and Reconstruction on Texas [1861-1865] (slavery in Texas, Texas joins the Confederacy, and 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendment)

4.13 The student understands patterns of work and economic activities in Texas
4.13F
explain the impact of American ideas about progress and quality of opportunity on the economic development and growth of Texas

Language/Vocabulary

assembly line

century

decade

pasteurization

invention

modern

Red Cross

veteran

security

technology

vaccines

Washington, D.C

 

UNIT: Government and Citizenship

Time Frame: First 4 Weeks of Fourth Nine Weeks

TEKS
4.16
The student understands important ideas in historic documents of Texas.
4.16B identify and explain the basic functions of the three branches of state government  

4.19 The student understands the importance of effective leadership in a democratic society.
4.19A identify leaders in state and local governments, including the governor, selected members of the Texas Legislature , and Texans who have been President of the United States and their political parties

4.19B identify leadership qualities of the state and local leaders, past and present

4.18 The student understands the importance of voluntary individual participation in the democratic process.

4.18A explain how individuals can participate voluntarily in civic affairs at state and local levels

4.18B explain the role of the individual in state and local elections

4.18C identify the importance of historical figures such as Barbara Jordan who have modeled active participation in the democratic process
4.18D
explain how to contact elected and appointed leaders in state and local governments

4.20 The student understands the contributions of people of various racial, ethnic, and religious groups to Texas.
4.20C
summarize the contributions of people of various racial, ethnic, and religious groups in the development of Texas
4.7 The student understands the concept of regions.
4.7C compare the regions of Texas with regions of the United States and other parts of the world

Language/Vocabulary

appoint

celebration

civic affairs

election
Executive Branch
Barbara Jordan

political party

Governor

House of Representatives

Judicial Branch

Legislative Branch

Mayor

patriotic symbols

pledge

tradition

San Jacinto Monument

San Jose Mission

Senate

Speaker of the House

Supreme Court

Texas Legislature

Literature/Technology Resources
Adams, S. & Murdoch, D. Eyewitness Books, TEXAS.

Levine, E. The Tree That Would Not Die.

 

UNIT: Innovation and Progress in Texas

Time Frame: Last 5 weeks of Fourth Nine Weeks

TEKS

4.4 The student understands the political, economic, and social changes in Texas during the last half of the 19th century.

4.4B explain the growth and development of the cattle and oil industries

4.4C identify the impact of railroads on life in Texas, including changes to cities and major industries

4.5 The student understands important issues, events, and individuals of the 20th century in Texas.

4.5A identify the impact of various issues and events on life in Texas such as urbanization, increased us of oil and gas, and the growth of aerospace and other technology industries

4.5B identify and explain the accomplishments of notable individuals such as Henry Cisneros, Miriam A. Ferguson, Audie Murphy, Cleto Rodriguez, and John Tower  

4.7 The student understands the concept of regions.

4.7C compare the regions of Texas with regions of the United States and other parts of the world

4.9 The student understands how people adapt to and modify their environment.

4.9A describe ways people have adapted to and  modified their environment in Texas, past and present

4.9B identify reasons why people have adapted to and modified their environment in Texas, past and present such as the us of national resources to meet basic needs

4.12 The student understands the characteristics and benefits of the free enterprise system in Texas.

4.12A describe the development of the free enterprise system works in Texas

4.12B describe how the free enterprise system works in Texas

4.12C give examples of the benefits of the free enterprise system in Texas

4.13 The student understands patterns of work and economic activities in Texas.

4.13A explain how people in different regions of Texas earn their living, past and present

4.13B explain how geographic facts have influenced the location of economic activities in Texas

4.13C analyze the effects of immigration, migration, and limited resources on the economic development and growth of Texas

4.13D describe the impact of mass production, specialization, and division of labor on the economic growth of Texas
4.13E explain how developments in transportation and communication have influenced economic activities in Texas

4.14 The student understands how Texas, the United States, and other parts of the world are economically interdependent.

4.14B identify oil and gas, agricultural, and technological products of Texas that are purchased to meet needs in the United States and around the world

4.21 The student understands the impact of science and technology on life in Texas.

4.21A identify famous inventors and scientists such as Gail Borden [condensed milk], Joseph Glidden [barbed wire], and Patillo Higgins [Spindletop] and their contributions

4.21B describe how scientific discoveries and technological innovation have benefited individuals, businesses, and society in Texas

4.14 The student understands how Texas, the United States, and other parts of the world are economically interdependent.

4.14A identify ways in which technological changes have resulted in increased interdependence among Texas, the United States and the World

4.14C explain how Texans meet some of their needs through the purchase of products from the United States and the rest of the world

4.21 The student understands the impact of science and technology on life in Texas.

4.21C predict how future scientific discoveries and technological  innovations might affect life in Texas

Language/Vocabulary

Gail Borden

Joseph  Glidden

Patillo  Higgins

Henry Cisneros

Cleto  Rodriguez

Audie  Murphy

Miriam A. Ferguson

John Tower

immigration

agriculture

cattle industry

communication

division of labor
free enterprise

purchase

limited resource

mass production

migration

oil and gas industry

pledge

railroads

specialization

technology

Texas Legislature

transportation

urbanization

Literature Connections
Adams, S. & Murdoch, D. Eyewitness Books, TEXAS.

Hayden, K. Astronaut , Living in Space.