Grade 5 • Social Studies What Your Child Will Learn

Grade 5 Social Studies

What Your Child Will Learn

Each of the quarters is organized to help answer a compelling question that ties the unit together. Listed below are the major concepts for each lesson.

Unit 1:

How does the Constitution balance the powers of government?

Articles of Confederation: strengths and weaknesses
Promises of the preamble
Major disagreements among the Framers
Powers and limits of each branch of government
Controlling balance of powers of the federal government

Unit 2:

How did our government meet the challenges of a changing nation?

Reasons why people disagreed about the ratification of the Constitution
Rationale of the Bill of Rights
Conflicts over slavery leading to the Civil War
MD’s location and its importance to the growth of our nation
Impact of the Civil War
Changes in life in MD during the 19th century

Unit 3: Defending Freedom

How did people work to advance civil rights for all?

Ways people worked to advance civil rights for all
Ways individuals and groups opposed slavery
Ways the government expanded and limited rights for individuals
Ways the government tried to address community problems
Ways the people worked together to increase the rights of all people
Ways educational institutions worked to address inequalities in education
Interpretation of the First Amendment and changes over time

Unit 4:

How is the government evolving to expand the meaning of ‘We the People’?

Ways the government is evolving to expand the meaning of ‘We the People’
Explore ways people can stay informed
Examine how people work together to address community needs
Learn why civil rights are important
Explore ways laws have evolved to protect more individuals