Social Studies — Grade 5

Gridding a site

In their study of how to grid a site, students will use a map and the Cartesian coordinate system to establish a grid system over an archaeological site, labeling each grid unit; determine the location of artifacts within each grid unit; and construct a scientific inquiry concerning the location of artifacts on the site.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–8 English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Mathematics)

Women In Flight: Using music to study American women pioneers in flight

As North Carolina's 97-98 Christa McAuliffe Teaching Fellow, I designed this plan to musically enhance the 5th grade social studies of American heroes, focusing on women pioneers in flight. It is intended to utilize singing and rhythmic activities to compare and contrast the lives of Amelia Earhart and Christa McAuliffe. Amelia Earhart was the first woman to successfully complete a solo trans-Atlantic flight and tragically disappeared while attempting to fly around the world in 1937. Christa McAuliffe was selected for NASA's Teacher-in-Space program and tragically died in the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster. I traditionally use this plan close to the January 28 anniversary of the shuttle disaster.
NOTE: I have suggested specific songs and instrumental selections found in the Silver Burdett music series. However, similar topical songs in other music series or listening selections such as Holst's "The Planets" could be substituted, yet maintain the integrity of the lesson.

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Music Education and Social Studies)

By Robin Smathers.

World War II at home: Victory Gardens

Students will learn about home front activities during World War II. Using primary source documents and photographs, students will discover how children their own age participated by growing Victory Gardens. They will design their own gardens and propaganda posters.

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Social Studies)

By Linda Mazzei.

Lesson plans on the web

Computerized civilization

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about a computer program designed to help answer some of the questions surrounding the mysterious disappearance of the Anasazi. (Learn more)

Format: activity (grade 5–8 Science and Social Studies)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Cyberspace explorer: Getting to know Christopher Columbus

This lesson supports the exploration of multiple online sources to gather information about the life of a well-known explorer, Christopher Columbus. Extension activities promote critical literacy by exposing students to Columbus from the perspective of the Native Americans and by engaging them in a discussion of point-of-view. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Social Studies and English Language Arts)

Provider: IRA/NCTE

From boomtown to ghost town

Students discuss how a specific economic activity in a region can facilitate the creation of towns, which often turn into ghost towns if the economic activity ends. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provider: National Geographic

Geo-generations

Students create a Geo-Generations Scrapbook that charts and describes where their family has lived. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 1–5 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provider: National Geographic

Geotourism: Friendly destinations

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 3 and 5 Social Studies)

Provider: National Geographic

Historical fiction: Using literature to learn about the Civil War

Students use a book from The American Girls Collection® to learn about the characteristics of historical fiction and slavery during the Civil War. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Social Studies and English Language Arts)

Provider: IRA/NCTE

I Hear the Locomotives: The Impact of the Transcontinental Railroad

Students analyze archival material in order to make connections between the arrival of the railroads and many of the changes that occurred subsequently in the United States and its territories. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provider: National Endowment for the Humanities

Mission geography: USA

In this Xpeditions lesson, students research and learn about the culture, physical geography, and history of states in each region of the United States. Students develop a "family travel plan" and create an itinerary to highlight interesting destinations in the US. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Social Studies)

Provider: National Geographic

On the Oregon Trail

Students work with primary documents and latter-day photographs to recapture the experience of traveling on the Oregon Trail. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provider: National Endowment for the Humanities

Quilting: The story of the Underground Railroad

Students use the Internet to research the dangers that escaping slaves faced along the Underground Railroad and the factors that helped the slaves make it to freedom. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts, Visual Arts Education, and Social Studies)

Provider: National Geographic

Searching for gold: A collaborative inquiry project

Students develop inquiry skills and content area knowledge in this collaborative project that focuses on the Gold Rush. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Social Studies and English Language Arts)

Provider: IRA/NCTE

Top ten cities

In this Xpeditions lesson, students identify and study the most populous cities in their state, province, or country. They also learn about population distributions. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Social Studies)

Provider: National Geographic

Traces: Historic archaeology

In this unit, students will “recover” and analyze artifacts from sites in use from the settlement period to the second half of the 19th century. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Social Studies)

Provider: National Endowment for the Humanities

Using timeline games and Mexican history to improve comprehension

This lesson explores Mexican history while engaging students' active reading skills through the creation of a timeline. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provider: IRA/NCTE

Viking longhouse

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear where early Viking explorers may have gone after their visit to America. (Learn more)

Format: activity (grade 5 Social Studies and Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Weeping camel: How do rituals compare?

In this Xpeditions lesson, students identify characteristics of traditional and modern rituals found in different cultures. Through reading articles and watching videos of several rituals, students identify some of their characteristics. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Social Studies)

Provider: National Geographic

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)

Provider: National Geographic