Social+Studies

4th Grade Social Studies
Fourth Grade is the first formal introduction to North Carolina, its ethnic diversity, its rich culture, the economic energy of its people, and its geographic regions. Fourth Grade students explore the social disciplines of its history, geography, civics and government, culture and economics through the context of North Carolina. Building on early social studies knowledge, students will apply new concepts to the increasingly complex social environment of our state.During this grade, students will study North Carolina American Indian groups indigenous to North Carolina before European contact, the impact of colonization, and key historical events leading up to the Civil War and Reconstruction. Although the time period of focus is Pre-Colonial through Reconstruction, **teachers are encouraged to guide students in drawing parallels between contemporary issues and their historical origins.** Students will prepare for their role as responsible and informed citizens of North Carolina as they examine the North Carolina Constitution, and the concept of separation of powers in each branch of state government. The expectations of standards address the geographic concept of movement and its impact on people, goods and ideas in North Carolina. Building on a basic understanding of scarcity and choice, students learn to appreciate the relationships among scarcity, choice, and opportunity costs when making financial decisions. Students explore North Carolina’s economy by examining how natural resources have influenced economic development in our state. Fourth grade expectations help prepare students for more sophisticated studies of our state, nation, and world in later grades. Note on Numbering: **H**–History, **G**–Geography and Environmental Literacy, **E**–Economics and Financial Literacy, **C&G**–Civics and Governance, and **C**–Culture. **History** 4.H.1.1 4.H.1.2 4.H.1.3 Summarize the change in cultures, everyday life and status of indigenous American Indian groups in North Carolina before and after European exploration. Explain how and why North Carolina was established. Explain how people, events and developments brought about changes to communities in various regions of North Carolina. Page 5 of 13December 2010**Essential Standard** 4.H.1.4 4.H.2.1 4.H.2.2 Analyze North Carolina’s role in major conflicts and wars from the Pre-Colonial period through Reconstruction. Explain why important buildings, statues, monuments and place names are associated with the state's history. Explain the historical significance of North Carolina’s state symbols. **Geography and Environmental Literacy** 4.G.1.1 4.G.1.2 4.G.1.3 4.G.1.4 Summarize changes that have occurred in North Carolina since statehood (population growth, transportation, communication and land use). Explain the impact that human activity has on the availability of natural resources in North Carolina. Exemplify the interactions of various peoples, places and cultures in terms of adaptation and modification of the environment. Explain the impact of technology (communication, transportation and inventions) on North Carolina’s citizens, past and present. Page 6 of 13December 2010 **Economics and Financial Literacy** 4.E.1.1 4.E.1.2 4.E.1.3 4.E.1.4 4.E.2.1 4.E.2.2 Understand the basic concepts of a market economy: price, supply, demand, scarcity, productivity and entrepreneurship. Understand how scarcity and choice in a market economy impacts business decisions. Analyze the historical and contemporary role that major North Carolina industries have played in the state, nation and world. Explain the impact of entrepreneurship on the economy of North Carolina. Explain how personal financial decisions such as spending, saving and paying taxes can positively and/or negatively affect everyday life. Explain how scarcity of personal financial resources affect the choices people make based on their wants and needs.
 * North Carolina Essential Standards Fourth Grade Social Studies**
 * Essential Standard**
 * Analyze the chronology of key historical events in North Carolina history.**
 * Clarifying Objectives**
 * 4.H.1**
 * Understand how notable structures, symbols and place names are significant to North Carolina.**
 * Essential Standard**
 * Understand how human, environmental and technological factors affect the growth and development of North Carolina.**
 * Clarifying Objectives**
 * 4.H.2**
 * 4.G.1**
 * Clarifying Objectives**
 * Essential Standard**
 * Understand how a market economy impacts life in North Carolina.**
 * Understand the economic factors when making personal choices.**
 * Clarifying Objectives**
 * 4.E.1**
 * 4.E.2**

[|Economics Activities]

Page 7 of 13December 2010 **Civics and Governance** 4.C&G.1.1 4.C&G.1.2 4.C&G.1.3 4.C&G.1.4 4.C&G.2.1 4.C&G.2.2 4.C&G.2.3 Summarize the key principles and revisions of the North Carolina Constitution. Compare the roles and responsibilities of state elected leaders. Explain the influence of the colonial history of North Carolina on the governing documents of our state. Compare North Carolina’s government with local governments. Analyze the preamble and articles of the North Carolina Constitution in terms of rights and responsibilities. Give examples of rights and responsibilities of citizens according to North Carolina Constitution. Differentiate between rights and responsibilities reflected in the North Carolina Constitution. Page 8 of 13December 2010 **Culture** 4.C.1.1 4.C.1.2 Explain how the settlement of people from various cultures affected the development of regions in North Carolina. (languages, foods and traditions) Explain how the artistic expression of various groups represents the cultural heritage of North Carolina.
 * Essential Standard**
 * Understand the development, structure and function of North Carolina's government**.
 * Analyze the North Carolina Constitution.**
 * Clarifying Objectives**
 * 4.C&G.1**
 * 4.C&G.2**
 * Essential Standard**
 * Understand the impact of various cultural groups on North Carolina.**
 * Clarifying Objectives**
 * 4.C.1**