Oct. 13, 2011

Dear Families,

For each quarter families of 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students will receive a Social Studies Newsletter outlining the current topics of study, literature read in class, films viewed, folk music sang, and  quizzes, assignments and projects assigned in class.

This publication is to give families a general idea of students’ current topic of study and their expectations during each quarter.  In order to meet the needs of the students, specific assignments and projects and are subject to change.

Most literature read aloud  in class can be assessed through Accelerated Reader. All quizzes will require a “sign and return” from families.  Please sign and return your child’s quizzes.    Most projects will allow for flexibility and all will be assigned at least 10 days in advance of the due date.  All projects and expectations are modeled after the State Expectations known as the  “GLECS.”  Because of a textbook shortage, all quizzes in 3rd and 4th grade are open book.  5th grade quizzes will most often be open book.  Questions may be addressed to myself via phone, email, or written in your child’s agenda book.

You can support your child’s study by

  • Signing and returning all quizzes
  • Assisting with their projects
  • Initiating discussion on their current topic of study

Sincerely,

Gretchen Eichberger-Kudlack

3rd, 4th, and 5th  Grade Social Studies

 

1st Quarter Upper Elementary Social Studies Newsletter

 

Sept 6 – Nov. 4

Ms. Gretchen Eichberger, Teacher
geichberger@manistee.org
231-889-5521 ext 434

 

3rd Grade Michigan Geography

Topics of Study – Michigan’s regions, climate, economic activity, and natural resources.

Students should be able to:

  • Use cardinal directions (N,S,E,W) and locate relative location of significant places.
  • Describe different regions and different kinds of economic activity
  • Locate natural resources and explain how they are used
  • Describe why people came to Michigan
  • Identify man-made and natural things in Michigan

Quizes –

  • Two Regions of Michigan – Sept 28

  • Natural Resources of Michigan  - TBA

Assignments - 

  • The seasons of Michigan, Physical and Human characteristics of Michigan

  • Natural Resources Map 

Literature : 

  • M is for Mitten – Anne Appleford

  • The Legend of Sleeping Bear – Ojibwa Legend

Projects: The Family Folklore Project – TBA (mid-November)

Films:   The Great Lakes – Michigan

Songs: Michigan, My Michigan

 

4th Grade Michigan History

Topics of Study

  • Early Industry of Michigan,

  • Erie Canal

  • Migration to Michigan

  • Michigan and the Civil War

Students should be able to:

  • Describe location of natural resources and location of industries and how they affected growth of Michigan’s cities.
  • Compare life of people in Michigan during the 1800’s and present time
  • Describe ideas and actions of people involved in the Underground Railroad
  • Describe how Michigan protects its natural resources today?
  • Describe threats to Michigan’s natural resources?
  • Explain how immigration affected the growth of Michigan.  Why did people come to Michigan?

Quizes –

  • Civil War Quiz - TBA

  • Early Industry of Michigan – Oct 3

  • Erie Canal/Immigration/Migration – Sept 26

Films: 

  • Follow the Drinking Gourd – Reading Rainbow

  • Watch the Stars Come Out

  • Erie Canal

  • Immigration in America 

Literature: 

  • Pink and Say – Patricia Pollaco,  (AR)

  • The Gettysburg Address – Abraham Lincoln

  • Sojouner Truth  Ain't I a Woman?   - Patricia McKissack (excerpts)

  • Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt – Deborah Hopkinson (AR)

  • A Separate Battle Women and the Civil War – Ina Chang (AR)

  • The Boy’s War – Jim Murphy (AR)

  • Biographies of Clara Barton, Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, and Sojourner Truth

Assignments:

  • Abolishinists and the Antislavery Movement – Short biography on Haviland, Chandler, de Baptiste, or S. Truth – Oct 14

Songs : 

  • The Erie Canal

  • Follow the Drinking Gourd

 

5th Grade U.S. History/Geography


Topics of Study

  • Ancient Civilizations of North America,

  • Native Peoples of North America,

  • European Explorers of North America

Students should be able to:

  • Use maps to locate people and places in each geographic region of North America.
  • Compare how native peoples adapted to their geographic region.
  • Describe Eastern Woodland American Indian life with respect to governmental and family structures.
  • Identify the causes and consequences of European exploration and colonization.
  • Explain what technology made sea exploration possible.

Literature  -

  •  Aztecs (AR), 

  • The North American Indian,

  • Biographies of European Explorers

Projects –

  • American Indian Life Project – Due Oct 10/Presented Oct 14,

  • European Explorer Biography – TBA (late October)

Quiz –

  • American Indians of North America – Oct. 3

  • Early Explorers – TBA (late Oct)

Films –

  • Viking Explorers – Leif Eriksson,

  • Pale Blue Dot/Cosmos – Carl Sagan,

  • Ancient Civilizations of Middle America,

Songs - 1492

Mrs. Eichberger's Main page for 20011-2012

The Main Elementary Page for 2011-2012

http://www.onekama.k12.mi.us leads to all pages since 1997