In Grade 5, students learn about the history of the United States from its early beginnings to the present with a focus on colonial times through the 20th century. Students recite and explain the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance. Students examine the importance of effective leadership in a democratic society and identify important leaders in the national government.
Students examine fundamental rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.
Students describe customs and celebrations of various racial, ethnic, and religious groups in the nation and identify the contributions of famous inventors and scientists. Students use critical-thinking skills, including sequencing, categorizing, and summarizing information and drawing inferences and conclusions. Selections may include Yankee Doodle. Motivating resources are also available from museums, historical sites, presidential libraries, and local and state preservation societies. The eight strands of the essential knowledge and skills for social studies are intended to be integrated for instructional purposes with the history and geography strands establishing a sense of time and a sense of place.