The fifth grade Social Studies curriculum is based on inquiry and research. Our emphasis is United States History and Geography as well as current events and environmental issues. We enrich our students with a number of research projects throughout the year, and use the History Alive as a supplement to hands on experiences about famous persons and events.
A daily newspaper is available to our students, as well as online news and United Streaming (video) programs that are provided through our technology curriculum. In addition to these programs, a weekly classroom magazine, that has been purchased through SAPSA funding, is covered as a part of our curriculum. The links to these magazines are listed below.
A daily geography question encourages students to start their mornings by looking at the physical world, and weekly state activities broaden our knowledge with sites that are closer to home. We gather information weekly on a variety of newsworthy topics and report these topics to interested classmates.
We frequently hear parents comment on how well informed they find their own child on current event topics.
Native American Research Project In the fall, students receive instruction on how to write a formal research paper. They are responsible for researching four to five topics on a particular American Indian group, past and present.
Upon the completion of this ambitious project, each student will give a two to six minute speech about his/her topic. Parents and interested persons are invited to attend these presentations.
Papers and projects are often entered into the Minnesota State Fair education exhibit.
