4th Social Studies

IV.       Social Studies Goals and Expected Outcomes

Fourth graders spend much time studying about the state of Vermont. They begin with Vermont geography and with the use of atlases. We color maps that show lakes, rivers, mountain ranges, etc.  Students learn the difference between political maps and merged-relief maps. Students construct salt dough maps that show the elevations of our state as well as rivers. These maps are then painted. Students also choose a Vermont animal to research. They take notes using the painted essay form; write 1^st and final drafts, and then make a visual presentation through Powerpoint. Next students learn about Vermont history. This is a very rich thematic unit intertwined with fiction, historical fiction, and non-fiction choices. students read, highlight, take notes, draw, write reports, view films and more. As part of this unit, fourth graders begin to learn about our state government and how we make laws here. Trips are taken to the Vermont State House, Vermont Historical Society and Billings Farm. Later on in the year, 4^th graders study immigration. This is also a thematic unit that connects social studies with language arts. First they learn who were the people who came to Vermont and why. Next we learn about our own ancestors and where they came from and why. 

In addition to the major themes listed above, 4^th graders always have the opportunity to study issues of diversity. We learn about prejudice and how this affects all of us. We read about Martin Luther King, Jr. and decide on one way to help our community. We read and write and draw about books called Beyond Difference. These are a wonderful collection of books that get added to each year. They touch on all topics. Some of these topics are prejudice, being disable,d migrant workers, Japanese Americans during WW II, etc.