LEARN NC

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

Social Studies — Grade 5

Goal 3: The learner will examine the roles various ethnic groups have played in the development of the United States and its neighboring countries.

Objective 3.07. Describe art, music, and craft forms in the United States and compare them to various art forms in Canada, Mexico, and selected countries of Central America.

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

Wow! A powwow!
Powwows have long been a tradition in the Native American culture. Even today, powwows are held across the United States and Canada. This lesson plan allows students the opportunity to research powwows, and in the process see that modern day Native Americans have a diverse culture.
Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Social Studies)
By Betsy Bryan.
Observing connections: North Carolina pottery and face jugs (Lesson 3)
This is the third lesson in a series of three in which students are creating art based on their observations: Lesson 1 Observing connections—art, poetry and the environment; Lesson 2 Observing connections—changing landscapes; Lesson 3 Observing connections—North Carolina pottery and face jugs.
Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Visual Arts Education and Social Studies)
By Lisa Mitchell.
Native American music: Two North Carolina tribes
In this lesson plan, students will listen to songs from two North Carolina tribes. Students will learn about the music through listening, analyzing, singing, moving, and playing instruments.
Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Music Education and Social Studies)
By Merritt Raum Flexman.
In the spirit of... (museum pre-visit)
This is an integrated unit that focuses on masks in cultures as reflections of individual spirits. In this pre-visit lesson, students will explore the cultures of the Western Hemisphere.
Format: lesson plan (grade 5–6 Visual Arts Education and Social Studies)
By Shannon Kelly.

Resources on the web

Weeping camel: What is a ritual?
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 4–5 Social Studies)
Provided by: National Geographic
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)
Provided by: National Geographic
Oh say can you see what the Star Spangled Banner means?
This is a set of 8 lesson plans designed to explore the symbolic, historical and literary background of the American flag, beginning with Francis Scott Key's poetic account of the bombardment of Fort McHenry. Using archival documents and images, students... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts and Social Studies)
Provided by: EDSITEment
Musical Harlem
Students will learn to identify musical styles and musicians associated with Harlem, focusing on jazz. They will learn about the special role of music in Harlem as a unifier of a community and of a culture. Students can listen to audio samples and analyze... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–5 Music Education and Social Studies)
Provided by: ArtsEdge
Interpreting rock art of the Anasazi
Students are introduced to the ancient Anasazi people through samples of rock art preserved in the public lands of the Four Corners region. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Visual Arts Education and Social Studies)
Provided by: National Geographic
History in quilts
Students will recognize how people from different cultures and time periods have passed down the tradition of quiltmaking. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Visual Arts Education and Social Studies)
Provided by: National Endowment for the Humanities
The great migration
In this ARTSEDGE lesson, students learn about the migration of African Americans to Harlem, beginning with the original migration of blacks to North America. Students explore paintings by Jacob Lawrence to understand the experience of blacks who migrated... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–3 and 5 Visual Arts Education and Social Studies)
Provided by: ArtsEdge
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
Civil War music
In this ARTSEDGE lesson, students use popular Civil War songs to identify rallying songs, recruiting songs, popular entertainment songs, campfire songs, sentimental songs, or patriotic songs. Students will: compare and contrast lyrics... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 5–8 English Language Arts, Music Education, and Social Studies)
Provided by: ArtsEdge