The Prentice School

Curriculum

Trimesters	Content and Essential Questions	Skills	Suggested Assessments
1st	Geography What are the geographic regions and physical characteristics of North America?	Locate and describe the geographic regions of North America—Coastal Plains, Appalachian Mountains, Canadian Shield, Interior Lowlands, Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, and Coastal Range. Locate and identify water features—Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Mississippi River, Missouri River, Ohio River, Columbia River, Colorado River, Rio Grande, Great Lakes, and Gulf of Mexico.	Construct maps for selected geographic features. Locate on a map and describe the geographic regions of North America—Coastal Plains, Appalachian Mountains, Interior Lowlands, Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, Great Basin and Coastal Ranges. Locate on a map and identify water features—Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Mississippi River, Missouri River, Ohio River, Columbia River, Colorado River, Rio Grande, Great Lakes, and Gulf of Mexico Chart ways oceans, rivers, lakes, and gulfs have created links to other regions throughout United States history.
	Ancient Americans/Native Americans How did geography and climate influence the way various groups lived and adjusted to the natural environment? 5.1.1 – 5.1.3, 5.2	Map the migration route over the Bering Strait (Beringia). Locate where Native Americans settled. Identify, discuss, and interpret evidence of the existence of past cultures. Write a descriptive paragraph telling about the atlas. Sequence orally and in written form the processes of building a wigwam and tanning a buffalo hide. Describe Native American varied folklore, traditions, and customs.	Illustrate three ancient lifestyles (farmers, hunter/gatherers, and giant mammoth hunters). 5.1,2 Construct a model of an ancient shelter of Eastern Woodlands or Plains Indians. 5.1,3 Using a graphic organizer, write a descriptive paragraph on the importance of the bison. 5.1,3
	Explorers Major European countries were in competition to extend their power into North America and claim the land as their own. 5.2-5.4 Why did European countries compete for power in North America? What were the obstacles faced by the explorers? What were the accomplishments of their explorations? What regions of North America were explored and settled by France, England, and Spain? What regions were explored by Portugal? 5.2.2	Trace routes of major explorations. Describe the competition among European Nations for control of North America. Design maps showing routes taken by selected explorers. Write a biography of selected explorers.	Persuasive paragraph from Columbus to Queen Isabella Journal entry—“Captain’s Log” Write descriptive paragraphs telling about attributes/ characteristics of major explorers Create an illustrated dictionary of early navigational tools. Construct an astrolabe and explain its function. Written question and answer assessments Explorer Jeopardy Persuasive Viking advertisement Runic writing
	Colonial Life/European Settlements in the U.S. What were the interactions between American Indians (First Americans) and Europeans that sometimes led to cooperation and other times resulted in conflict? 5.3 How did the American Indians (First Americans) and Europeans interact with each other? 5.3 How did political, religious, economic, and social institutions evolve in the Colonial era? 5.4.2 Why did Europeans establish colonies in North America? How did life in the colonies reflect the geographical features of the settlements? How did climate and geographic features distinguish the three regions from each other? How did people use the natural resources of their regions to earn a living? How did political and social life evolve in each of the three regions? How was slavery introduced into America? Interpret ideas and events from the historical perspective of large landowners, farmers, artisans, women, indentured servants, and slaves.	Identify and interpret primary source documents to sequence the settling of colonies and the reasons for settlement: Roanoke Island, Jamestown, Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, Pennsylvania, and Georgia (Mayflower Compact). Compare and contrast the geography, climate, social life, and political and civic life of the New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Southern colonies. Analyze and interpret maps to explain relationships among landforms, water features, climatic characteristics, and historical events. Map the Triangular Trade route. Identify the groups responsible for settling the colonies. Discuss dilemmas faced by Africans during enslavement. Discuss Colonial occupations. Reenact a day in the life of a colonial school (Colonial craft workshops: soap carving, quilting, etc.) Describe the lives and views of key individuals during this period (King George III, George Washington).	Illustrate a Jamestown fort (with oral presentation). Write an analytical paragraph predicting a possible outcome for the Mystery of Roanoke. Complete question and answer tests. Write a descriptive paragraph about Jamestown. Make a Jamestown occupation graph. Make a living history Colonial postcard (describing life in one colony). Illustrate a southern plantation. Pretend you are moving from England to one of the 13 colonies in America in the 1740s and write goodbye letters to your family. Include date, salutation, identity of colony, a comparison of the colony with two other regions, and correct spelling and grammar.
	Events leading up to the Revolutionary War What were the events leading up to the American Revolution? 5.5 What steps did England take to increase control over the colonies? Why did many colonists become dissatisfied with England’s control over the colonies? Who were some of the key individuals in the Revolutionary War? 5.5.4 What role did key individuals play in the Revolutionary War?	Discuss political, religious, and economic ideas that brought about the Revolution. Discuss the significance of the first and second Continental Congress and the Committees of Correspondence. Discuss major historical documents (Declaration of Independence). Describe the views, lives, and impact of key individuals during this period (Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington).	Define and illustrate political tariffs/events leading up to the conflict (Stamp Act and Boston Tea Party). Have a panel debate between Loyalists and Patriots. Group work: Work in a group of four to prepare to bring to life one of six historical figures for a panel debate between Loyalists and Patriots. Write a letter to the panelist with whose ideas you most agree. The letter should be dated, have a proper salutation, clear topic sentence, mention of at least two arguments with which you agree. Write a second letter to the panelist with whom you least agreed. Write a narrative paragraph that outlines three major components of the Declaration of Independence. Reenactment: Walk Through the American Revolution
	Revolutionary War What advantages helped the American colonists win the Revolutionary War? 5.6.2 What were different roles women played during the Revolution? 5.6.3 How did the ideals of the Declaration of Independence change the way people viewed slavery?	Defeat of Britain: Analyze and interpret events from different historical perspectives. List colonial advantages in the Revolutionary War: defense of own land, principles, beliefs, support from France and Spain, and strong leadership. Explain what factors turned the tide of the war and led to the victories by the colonists. Compare and contrast the British army and the Colonists. Discuss contributions of France, other nations, and individuals to the outcome of the Revolution. Analyze how women made a significant difference during the American Revolution.	Complete a compare and contrast graphic organizer. Identify and map major battles. Make a Venn diagram connecting past and present roles of women (Abigail Adams, Susan B. Anthony, and present political women).
	Martin Luther King, Jr. Since the ratification of the Constitution of the U.S., have all men and women been treated with equality? What do “Equal Rights” mean? How can individuals protect the freedoms and rights of all Americans?	Analyze the Equal Rights Movement from 1950 to 1968: Family lifestyle, and community/economic structure of the American South and the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.	Write reflective journals. Write an “I have a dream” reflective paragraph stating your ideals for individuals, the country, and the world in terms of protecting the rights and freedoms of others.
	State Reports Know and identify the 50 states and their capitals. What are the major attributes of the various states in the U.S.A.?	Use a variety of resources to gather information about a chosen state. Research and keep notes.	Students will create a comprehensive research report on a state of their choice. The report will include: maps, symbols, informational paragraphs, etc. Participate in a governor’s banquet. Give an oral presentation.