LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Social Studies — Grade 4

Goal 1: The learner will apply the five themes of geography to North Carolina and its people.

Objective 1.05. Assess human movement as it relates to the physical environment.

Additional related resources

We’re in the process of aligning our content for students to the Standard Course of Study. As we do, you’ll find it here.

General resources

Aligned lesson plans

Interstate highways from the ground up
This lesson gives students a first-hand opportunity to hear about the planning and effort it takes to build a highway by through an oral history of a North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) resident engineer.
Format: lesson plan (multiple pages)
The five themes of me
Students will demonstrate their understanding of the five themes of geography through literature-based integrated activities to spotlight how they are represented in each. They will also work on language/writing skills and computer competencies while enjoying a little art along the way!
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 English Language Arts and Social Studies)
By Catherine Hazelton.
Blue Ridge Parkway Travelogue
Students plan and develop a week-long trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway, from beginning to end. The virtual tour culminates in the creation of a travelogue that will outline the trip.
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Social Studies)
By Rachel Elliott.

Resources on the web

What is geography?
Students work in groups to analyze a website to locate information about a particular country or region, and then create presentations showing how the geographic concepts described in the themes can be used to help solve environmental problems. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Social Studies)
Provided by: National Geographic
Explore the spatial patterns of your hometown
In this Xpeditions lesson, students analyze the distribution of businesses and residences within their own communities in order to develop a more sophisticated understanding of already familiar places. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Social Studies)
Provided by: National Geographic