This year of history begins with a study of the native peoples of both North and South America. Children will explore the homes, trade, customs, religions, and daily practices of various tribes and civilizations. They will also learn how life changed when explorers and conquerors arrived.
Through this Guided Journey, children will also explore the changes in Europe brought on by The Reformation. They will learn about religious struggles during this time, as well as important historical figures. Students will explore the idea of religious freedom, the sacrifices some made in pursuit of it, and the reasons others opposed it.
This year, children will focus on the changes that took place around the world in the 15th, 16th, 17th, and early 18th centuries. They will explore changes in warfare and weaponry, review the journey to America, and learn about the slave trade. They will explore life and government in Spain, Austria, England, Russia, and Japan, learning how ordinary people lived in comparison to rulers. Children will also explore Muslim Empires, African Kingdoms, and Chinese Emperors.
This year of history includes units designed to build map and geography skills. It also provides an introduction to Canadian history.
Lesson Plans
Key Concepts to Keep in Mind
Community: A person lives in a community. A home is one type of community, and a city, town, or neighborhood is another. School is yet another type of community. Citizens contribute to a community in many ways.
Leadership: In the United States, the president has a critical role in leading the country and its citizens. Other countries also have leaders that may be called by other names. People may lead in other ways as well.
United States History: The United States has an interesting history that includes Native Americans, explorers, and colonization.
The World: There are seven continents. Each has a unique history as well as people with customs and lives that may differ from those living in the United States. However, we all share basic human needs.
Geography: We can explore geography with maps and globes. Maps and globes help us to understand location and direction. They also help us to find our way to new places. There are symbols that help us to understand maps.