Grade 4 • Social Studies How to Support Your Child

Grade 4 Social Studies

How to Support Your Child

Family Field Trips

MARYLAND

• National Colonial Farm, The Accokeek Foundation at Piscataway Park (Accokeek, MD) http://accokeekfoundation.org/ (Links to an external site.)
• Antietam National Battlefield (Sharpsburg, MD) https://www.nps.gov/anti/index.htm (Links to an external site.)
• Hampton National Historic Site (Towson, MD) https://www.nps.gov/hamp/index.htm
• Rose Hill Manor Park and Children's Museum (Frederick, MD) http://www.rosehillmuseum.com/ 
• Calvert Marine Museum (Solomons, MD) http://www.calvertmarinemuseum.com/  (Links to an external site.)
• St. Clement's Island State Park (Coltons Point, MD)  http://www.visitmaryland.org/listing/history-heritage/st-clements-island-state-park (Links to an external site.)   
• Casselman River State Bridge (Grantsville, MD)  http://www.visitmaryland.org/listing/history-heritage/casselman-river-bridge-state-park (Links to an external site.) 
• Fort Frederick State Park (Big Pool, MD)  http://www.visitmaryland.org/listing/african-american-heritage/fort-frederick-state-park (Links to an external site.) 
• Frederick Douglas Museum (Highland Beach, MD) http://www.highlandbeachmd.org/ (Links to an external site.) 
• St. Mary's City Links to an external site.  (Supports unit 2)
• Biz Town Links to an external site. (supports Unit 4)

• Local

• Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad Station (Ellicott City, MD) http://www.borail.org/Ellicott-City-Station.aspx  (Links to an external site.)
• Thomas Isaac Log Cabin (Ellicott City, MD) http://thomasisaaclogcabin.ellicottcity.net/ 
• The Howard County Center of African American Culture (Columbia, MD)  "http://www.hccaac.org/".aspx (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)  
• Baltimore:
• Maryland Historical Society (Baltimore, MD) http://www.mdhs.org/ (Links to an external site.) 
• Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad Museum (Baltimore, MD) http://www.borail.org/ (Links to an external site.)
• Fort McHenry (Baltimore, MD) https://www.nps.gov/fomc/index.htm (Links to an external site.)
• The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House (Baltimore, MD) http://baltimore.org/info/star-spangled-banner-flag-house (Links to an external site.)
• The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail (Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.) https://www.nps.gov/stsp/index.htm (Links to an external site.)
• Baltimore Civil War Museum at President Street Station (Baltimore, MD) http://baltimore.org/listings/historic-sites/baltimore-civil-war-museum-president-street-station (Links to an external site.)
• Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History & Culture (Baltimore, MD) http://www.lewismuseum.org/ 
• Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum (Baltimore, MD)  http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/recreation/countyparks/mostpopular/banneker/ 
• U.S.S. Constellation (Baltimore, MD) http://www.historicships.org/ (Links to an external site.)  
• Annapolis
• The Maryland State House (Annapolis, MD) http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdstatehouse/html/home.html (Links to an external site.)
• William Paca House (Annapolis, MD)  http://www.annapolis.org/contact/william-paca-house-garden (Links to an external site.) 
• Cambridge
• Bucktown Village Store (Cambridge, MD) http://www.visitmaryland.org/listing/african-american-heritage/bucktown-village-store (Links to an external site.) 
• Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center (Cambridge, MD) https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g41038-d534547-Reviews-Harriet_Tubman_Museum_and_Educational_Center-Cambridge_Maryland.html 
• Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park (Cambridge, MD) https://www.nps.gov/hatu/index.htm (Links to an external site.)

WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA

• National Archives (Washington, D.C.) http://www.archives.gov/museum/visit/ (Links to an external site.)
• National Museum of American History (Washington, D.C.) http://americanhistory.si.edu/ (Links to an external site.)
• United States Capital (Washington, D.C.) https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/ (Links to an external site.)
• George Washington's Mount Vernon (Mount Vernon, VA) http://www.mountvernon.org/ (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)
•  (Links to an external site.)National Museum of African America History and Culture (Washington, D.C) https://nmaahc.si.edu/ (Links to an external site.) 
• National Museum of the American Indian (Washington, D.C) http://www.nmai.si.edu/ (Links to an external site.)  (supports Quarter 1)
• National Museum of American History (Washington, D.C) http://americanhistory.si.edu/ (Links to an external site.)

PENNSYLVANIA

• National Constitution Center (Philadelphia, PA) http://constitutioncenter.org/ Links to an external site. (Supports Unit3) (Links to an external site.)
• The Constitutional Walking Tour (Philadelphia, PA) http://www.theconstitutional.com/ Links to an external site. (Supports Unit3) (Links to an external site.)
• Independence Hall (Philadelphia, PA) https://www.nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/independencehall.htm Links to an external site. (Supports Unit3) (Links to an external site.)
• The Liberty Bell (Philadelphia, PA) https://www.nps.gov/inde/learn/historyculture/stories-libertybell.htm  Links to an external site. (Supports Unit3) (Links to an external site.)
• Gettysburg National Military Park (Gettysburg, PA) https://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm (Links to an external site.) 

additional out of state

• Colonial Williamsburg (Williamsburg, VA): http://www.visitwilliamsburg.com/attractions/colonial-williamsburg?profile_category=Museums Links to an external site., https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/ Links to an external site. 
• Historic Jamestowne (Virginia): https://www.nps.gov/jame/index.htm Links to an external site., http://historicjamestowne.org/ Links to an external site. 
  
• Jamestown Settlement & Yorktown Victory Center (Virginia): http://www.historyisfun.org/jamestown-settlement/ Links to an external site.
• Plimoth Plantation (Plymouth, MA): https://www.plimoth.org/ Links to an external site.
• Castillo de San Marcos (Saint Augustine, FL): https://www.nps.gov/casa/index.htm Links to an external site.

Content and Skills to Reinforce at Home

Geography and Map Skills

• Encourage your child to find his/her current location on a map.
• Use the cardinal directions to describe where different regions and landmarks are located in relation to one another.
• View different kinds of maps together - climate, topographical, political, etc.
• Identify continents, countries, major cities, oceans.
• Calculate approximate distance on a map using the scale. Use the key to identify the meanings of different symbols.
• Describe the distinguishing characteristics of regions - climate, vegetation, natural/physical features, etc.
  
  
  

Historical Thinking Skills

• Compare and contrast life for Americans in the past (First Americans, Colonial Times) to the present.
• Celebrate National American Indian Month (November) - Read legends, visit a museum, make recipes, read about their history, make crafts, play games, discuss misconceptions, etc.)
• Discuss motivations for immigrating into North American, as well as struggles faced, in the past (First Americans, colonists, enslaved Africans) and present.
• Explore how Americans have used and modified the land in the past (First Americans, colonists, enslaved people) and present.
• Examine primary and secondary historical documents. Discuss the information they provide, and their credibility.
• Explore several sources about the same historical event. Find the points of agreement and disagreement. Discuss and weigh different perspectives.
• Encourage your child to support arguments about history with evidence.
• Encourage your child to ask questions about history.
• Discuss cause and effect when investigating historical events.
  
  

Economics and Financial Literacy Skills

• Discuss different ways of paying for things - cash, credit cards, debit cards, checks - and the advantages and disadvantages to each.
• Discuss the concept of income, wage, and salary. Discuss how your family earns its income, and how it's used.
• Discuss the skills the adults in your family need to do their jobs. Discuss your child's strengths, and how these could lead to a career.
• Consider creating or finding small jobs that would allow your child to earn money.
• Talk about saving, and the concept of "saving for a rainy day." Encourage your child to put his/her money in different "pots" - "Save," "Spend," "Give," and even "Invest."
• Discuss how and why people save and borrow money.
• Discuss needs and wants.
• Help your child open a savings account, and make occasional deposits. Watch the balance as it grows over time.
• Create a budget together.
• Serve as a role model of wise spending for your child. Share how you use your money wisely.
• Discuss how supply and demand impacts pricing.
• Check out the Mint's "Pointers for Parents" page: http://themint.org/parents/parent-blog.html. Links to an external site.

Political Science: Government and Civics

• Use https://newsela.com/ Links to an external site. to read about current events with your child. Discuss local and other relevant issues.
• Participate in community service together.
• Take your child with you when you vote, and explain democratic principles.
• Read about people who are/were good examples of democratic citizens, such as those who peacefully fought for equality.
• Discuss what citizenship means, including rights and responsibilities of citizens.
• Search for and discuss local citizens who generously contribute to the good of the community.
• Discuss why our local, state, and national government collect taxes.