Ohio’s Model Competency- Based Program Neely Few Tina Pearsons Jenn Janicki Andy Mikalauskas Grade 5

Goals of the Social Studies Program To enable learners to gather and interpret information using perspectives from appropriate fields of social studies, to use methods and skills drawn from the social studies, and to actively engage in learning. To enable learners to explain how the world’s people cope with the challenges of existence, examine issues from multiple perspectives, and respond to individual and cultural diversity.

Goals cont. To enable learners to work with others, make informed judgements and decisions, and act in accordance with democratic processes and principles.

Objectives for Fifth Grade Social Studies: The students will have knowledge of the regions and people in North America. The students will have knowledge of and respect for other parts of the world and their cultures. The students will have knowledge of how people and events of the past have influenced today.

Objectives cont. The students will have knowledge of the characteristics of a democratic government and it’s processes. The students will understand the decision- making process in a way in which it benefits the nation.

American Heritage- This strand refers to those aspects of the past that help to make the American people unique among those peoples of the world while at the same time recognizing what we hold in common with other people.

American Heritage Web pages and Activities

Web Pages Historic American Highways highway.html Ohio Historical Society Archiving Early America

Activities Have students study a geographical map of the United States and discuss how the geography of our nation effects our economic system. Have students study another culture to discover how it has influenced our culture. Ask the students to share some traditions that they perform in their households with the class.

Activities cont. One day discuss Indian culture and bring in Indian artifacts to show the students. Have students follow the migration routes of the pioneers, marking them on a map. Discuss the Great Seal of Ohio as a prominent symbol of the state and then have each student redesign the new symbol using creativity.

People in Societies- This strand recognizes that the United States and the world encompass many different racial, ethnic, and religious groups.

People in Societies Web Pages and Activities

Web Pages Ohio Government Series A Trek Through Time at Ohio Village html Time Travelers The African American Experiences in Ohio

Activities Have students create an African song with African instruments while studying African culture. Have students make a mobile of a famous Ohioian. Use maps to locate sources of major migration to North America. Describe the customs that the immigrants brought with them.

Activities cont. Study Martin Luther King Jr. and the impact he had on society. Chose an American President to do an oral presentation about while dressing up as that individual. Have students write a story about their role model and how that person influences society.

Democratic Processes- This stand examines the principles of democracy and explores the extent to which governments reflect those principles.

Democratic Processes Web Pages & Activities

Web Pages Elected Officials & Candidates – American Promise – Barton Democracy for Kids – Center for the Evolution of Democracy –

Activities Set up a democratic system in the classroom Field trip to a government building Do a report on the democratic system Write letters to officials and ask questions about the democratic system Ask parents how they participate in the democratic process Take part on a on-line vote

Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities- This stand provides a context for examining and engaging in those activities that are part of an adult’s public life.

Citizenship Rights & Responsibilities Web Pages & Activities

Web Pages Kids Voting – Center for Citizenship and Human Rights – United States Congress – Learning Adventures in Citizenship – Your Constitutional Rights –

Activities Do a report on the rights of citizens Do a project on Constitutional Rights Write a paper on how to be a good citizen Take part on a on-line vote Write a paper on what rights and responsibilities citizens should have Ask parents what they think their rights and responsibilities are as good citizens

Decision Making & Resources- This strand focuses on decisions individuals and societies make in addressing wants.

Decision Making & Resources Web Pages & Activities

Web Pages

Activities Bring a live assembly show on recycling to school Form teams to work on a project that reduces waste and increases recycling Help save the Amazon River Basin by writing to WWF protect the Amazon Have a guest speaker come in and talk to the students about the importance of safety

Activities cont. Have a career day Have the students choose an endangered species and do a power point presentation on that species Have the students come up with a song or a poem that stresses the importance of safety

World Interactions- This strand explores the links people make around the world as they attempt to address common problems.

World Interactions Web Pages and Activities

Web Sites Researching Different Countries Talking to Students Around the World Looking at Maps of Other Countries

Activities Create a pen pal system to students from a school in another country. Each student choose a country and design the countries flag. Pretend you are in any state in the US and write a postcard telling about what you see, what you have visited, and the climate.

Activities cont. Choose a country to give a presentation on and dress up like the people in that country would. Write a report on a place you would like to travel to and tell us why. Choose a different region of the United States and do a report on the bodies of water, land formations, animals, and climate.

Activities cont. Bring in pictures to share with the class of places around the world that you have traveled to. Choose one of the Great Lakes and give a presentation on the characteristics of it. Read 10 current events in the paper on a country other than the United Sates and write reflections on them.

Conclusion: The primary purpose of this Social Studies program is to help young people understand, through the study of past and present, what it means to be a human being in society and develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world of finite resources.