Social Studies — Grade 5

Resources on the web

Lewis and Clark: Building a Lasting Legacy

In this lesson from Xpeditions, students will discuss the significant contributions made by Native Americans and other team members during the Lewis and Clark expedition. Students will draw or make a diorama that focuses on the geographic perspective of... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 and 5 English Language Arts, Information Skills, and Social Studies)

Provided by: Xpeditions

Lewis and Clark: A Legacy to Remember

Students design a memorial that illustrates the legacy of the Lewis and Clark expedition from a geographic perspective. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 and 8 English Language Arts, Information Skills, and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

The legacy of Pearl Harbor

This lesson, from the National Geographic Xpeditions web site, introduces students to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and asks them to consider the reasons why Japan might have wanted to expand its territory in the early 1940s. They'll also consider... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Social Studies)

Provided by: Xpeditions

How was the Grand Canyon formed?

In this Xpeditions lesson, students learn about how the Grand Canyon was formed, focusing on how the process of erosion enabled its rock layers to be deposited. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 and 5 Science and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

How do we find our way?

a good sense of direction and whether they are able to navigate using mental maps versus needing equipment. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Get oriented

Students learn about the four cardinal directions—north, south, east, west. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Geo-friendly travel: Destination Honduras

In this Xpeditions lesson, students learn about a partnership between the government of Honduras and the National Geographic Society to highlight the concept of geotourism and its benefits. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Crack the code

Students use latitude and longitude to crack the code to find out where thieves are taking the loot. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Climate controls

This Xpeditions lesson has students consider how various parts of the world and the United States are affected by climate controls such as world air currents. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Boundary ballads

Students identify the boundaries that are “singing” odd geographical songs. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–7 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic