Pre-Colonized America

Grade Level: 5th Grade

Subject: Social Studies

Time Frame: 4 weeks (January/February)

Big Understandings

- analyze primary and secondary sources from multiple points of view to develop an understanding of early United States history.
- The historical eras, individuals, groups, ideas, and themes in North America from European colonization through the establishment of the United States Government
- causes and consequences of movement
- trade shaped the development of Early America

Essential Questions

- how do sources with varied perspectives help us to understand what happened in the past?
- why is it important to understand the historical context of events?
- how might history be different without the Declaration of Independence?
- how does historical events and individuals contribute to diversity in the United States?
- How did important American documents shape American beliefs and values?
- To what extent did individuals and their ideas contribute to the establishment of the United States government?
- what human and physical characteristics have motivated, prevented or impeded migration and immigration over time?
- how can migration and immigration be represented geographically?
- how has the movement of people and their belongings affected the environment both positively and negatively?
- how did different cultures or communities in Early America interact with each other?
- why do people trade?
- why do most modern societies choose to use money?
- how are financial institutions important to society?

By the end of the unit, students will be able to:

- recognize how historical context can affect the perspective of historical sources
- examine significant historical documents (the stamp act, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution)
- interpret timelines of eras and themes in North America from European colonization through the establishment of the United States Government
- Analyze cartoons, artifacts, artwork, charts, and graphs related to eras and themes in North America from European colonization through the establishment of the United States Government.
- identify and explain cultural interactions between the European colonists, American Indians, and enslaved individuals (the Columbian Exchange, and various trade networks)
- identify and describe the significant individuals and groups of American Indians and European colonists before the American Revolution
- explain the development of political, social, and economic institutions in the British American colonies
- explain important political, social, economic, and military developments leading to and during the American Revolution
- identify variables associated with discovery, exploration, and migration
- explain migration, trade, and cultural patterns that result from interactions among people, groups, and cultures
- describe and analyze how specific physical and political features influenced historical events, movements, and adaptation to the environment
- analyze how cooperation and conflict among people contribute to political, economic, and social divisions in the United States
- give examples of the influence of geography on the history of the United States
- identify examples of the productive resources and explain how they are used to produce goods and services (land, labor, and capital)
- compare ways in which people and communities exchanged goods and services (barter and monetary exchange)
- identify the goods and services that were traded among different cultures and regions
- describe how patterns of trade evolved within Early America
- explain some of the challenges that American colonists faced that would eventually lead them to the creation of commercial banks

Topics:

◦ Geography of North America
◦ Causes and consequences of movement
◦ Explain cultural interactions- The Colombian Exchange, interactions between Europeans and native Americans, and the developing relationship between Europeans and enslaved Africans
◦ Identify important individuals and groups of people
◦ Explore the political, social, and economic institutions in the colonies
◦ Explain reasons for the settlement of the American Colonies
◦ Create timelines of historical eras
◦ Individuals, groups, ideas, and themes in North America from 1491 up to the founding of the United States of America
◦ Analyze cartoons, artifacts, artwork, charts, and graphs
◦ European explorers and reasons for exploration, discovery, and migration
◦ Explain physical and political features that influenced this time frame

Standards

SS.5.1.1
SS.5.1.2
SS.5.2.2
SS.5.3.1