Grade 4 Social Studies West Virginia standards Standards

WV History

History

Geography

Economics

Civics

Identify, explain and critique commonly held American democratic values, principles and beliefs (e.g., diversity, family values, community service, justice, liberty, etc.) through established documents (e.g., Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, etc.).

Compare and contrast the physical, economic and political changes to America caused by geographic conditions and human intervention (e.g., bridges, canals, state boundaries, transportation, etc.).

Plan and construct maps to demonstrate the effect of geographic conditions on historical processes, practices and events (e.g., colonization, industry, agriculture, major engagements in the Revolutionary War, Westward Expansion, etc.).

Analyze the impact of West Virginia's geography on transportation, settlement, jobs, clothing, food, shelter, services and interaction with others outside the state.

Demonstrate an understanding of the various factors that influenced the founding of the original colonies (e.g., economic, political, cultural, etc.).

Analyze the southern, middle and northern colonies (e.g., origins, early government, resources, religious and cultural diversity, etc.).

Compare and contrast community life, family roles and social classes in colonial America (e.g., indentured servants, slaves, colonists, etc.).

Compare and contrast backgrounds, motivations and occupational skills among English, French and Spanish settlers (e.g., economics, culture, trade, new agricultural products, etc.).

Demonstrate an understanding of the conflict between the American colonies and England that led to the Revolutionary War.

Explain the political and economic factors leading to the American Revolution (e.g., the French and Indian War; British colonial policies, and American colonists' early resistance, etc.).

Explain the major ideas reflected in the Declaration of Independence.

Summarize the roles of the principal American, British and European leaders involved in the conflict (e.g., King George III, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Thomas Paine, Patrick Henry, and Marquis de Lafayette, etc.).

Explain the contributions of Native Americans, the French and Dutch during the Revolutionary War, and list the contributions of women and African Americans during and after the American Revolution.

Trace the beginnings of America as a nation and the establishment of the new government.

Compare and contrast the various forms of government in effect from 1774-1854 (e.g., Continental Congress, Articles of Confederation, U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, etc.).

Research the contributions of early American historic figures (e.g., George Washington, John Adams, Abigail Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Andrew Jackson, James Madison, Dolly Madison, etc.).

Explain the political, social and economic challenges faced by the new nation (e.g., development of political parties, expansion of slavery, taxation, etc.).

Demonstrate an understanding of the causes and effects of Westward Expansion.

Investigate the economic, political and cultural factors involved in Westward Expansion (e.g., Land Ordinance of 1785, Northwest Ordinance of 1787, Indian Removal Act, Trail of Tears, Manifest Destiny, resources, trade, etc.).

Analyze the people and events that facilitated Westward Expansion (e.g., Daniel Boone, Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clark, Northwest Territory, Alamo, Gold Rush, etc.).

Trace transportation innovations and explain their impact on Westward Expansion (e.g., bridges, canals, steamboats, railroads, steam engines, clipper ships, flat boats, roads, dams, locks, ports, harbors, etc.).

Analyze the impact of West Virginia's geography on transportation, settlement, jobs, clothing, food, shelter, services and interaction with others outside the state.

Compare and contrast West Virginia's population, products, resources and transportation from the18th century through modern day.

Pose, research and answer student-generated questions relating to West Virginia (e.g., primary source documents, magazines, online resources, etc.).

Compare and contrast the powers of each branch of government and identify the responsibilities and rights of United States citizens.

Explore the concepts of rule of law to create a visual or oral presentation of how these concepts protect individual rights and the common good.

Demonstrate patriotism by creating and implementing school/community service projects (e.g., litter cleanup, fundraisers for community groups, participation in community holiday parades, celebrations, services, etc.).

Investigate and recognize people as consumers and as producers of goods, and the effects of competition and supply-demand on prices through projects (e.g., developing budgets or products in simulated situations, etc.).

Determine jobs that are needed according to supply and demand on a national level.

Research and examine how slavery and indentured servitude influenced the early economy of the United States by constructing graphics (e.g., charts, graphs, tables and grids, etc.) displaying the effect of having slaves and indentured servants.

Describe and locate examples of the major physical features of the United States (e.g., bodies of water, mountains, rivers, grasslands, oases, etc.) using references and technology (e.g., atlas, globe, geographic information system, etc.).

Document the effects of and explain how people adapted to geographic factors (e.g., climate, mountains, bodies of water, etc.) on the following:

transportation routes

settlement patterns and population density

culture (e.g., jobs, food, clothing, shelter, religion, government, etc.)

interactions with others (local and national)