Social Studies - 5th Grade (2024)
Lesson Plans

Strand 1: The Impacts of Geography and Human Interaction in North America (Pre-Contact to Early Colonization)

Students will understand how geography had a major impact on the more than 500 tribes and over 50 million indigenous people living in North America prior to European exploration, as well as how it affected methods of exploration. They will evaluate how the Age of Exploration and early colonization opened the way for the global movement of ideas, innovations, foods, and values and how the world was affected in ways that we can still see today.

Compelling Questions:

• How did geography help shape the lives of Native Americans and early explorers?
• What were some of the most significant ways Native Americans interacted with European colonists?
• Why did different groups who were in North America during this time experience varying degrees of freedom?
• How did spirituality and ritual shape the lives of Native American individuals and communities?

Standard 5.1.1

Cite examples to illustrate how the physical geography of North America (for example, landforms, seasons, weather, bodies of water) influenced the lives of Native American tribal groups.

• Maps Through Time
  In this activity students will analyze explorers' maps and put them in chronologically order. They will then learn about the major explorers and the routes that these explorers took.Enduring Understanding:Students will understand the exploration and colonization by Europeans in North America

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http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Robert  Austin and see the Social Studies website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - Jennifer  Throndsen.

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