• Dorothy Hains Elementary School

    1820 Windsor Spring Road

    Augusta, Ga 30906

    Mrs. Henderson’s 4th Grade Social Studies Syllabus

    Hendevo@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us

    Fourth Grade Course Description

    2022-2023

     Course Description Social Studies:

    In fourth grade, students continue with year two of a three-year study of United States history in which all four strands (history, geography, civics/government, and economics) are integrated. Students begin the year learning about the French and Indian War and end with the Reconstruction period. The geography strand emphasizes the influence of geography on U.S. history during those same time periods. In the civics/government strand, students learn about concepts and rights contained within our founding documents. The economic strand uses material from the history strand to deepen understanding of economic concepts.  

    Historical Understandings

    SS4H1-- Explain the causes, events, and results of the American Revolution

     

    SS4H2-- Analyze the challenges faced by the framers of the Constitution.

     

    SS4H3-- Explain westward expansion in America.

     

    SS4H4-- Examine the main ideas of the abolitionist and suffrage movements.

     

    SS4H5-- Explain the causes, major events, and consequences of the Civil War.

     

    SS4H6-- Analyze the effects of Reconstruction on American life.

     

    Geographic Understandings

    SS4G1-- Locate important places in the United States.

    SS4G2-- Describe how physical systems affect human systems.

    Government/Civic Understandings

    SS4CG1-- Describe the meaning of:

    1. Natural rights as found in the Declaration of Independence (the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness)
    2. “We the People” from the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution as a reflection of consent of the governed or popular sovereignty
    3. The federal system of government in the U.S. (federal powers, state powers, and shared powers)
    4. Representative democracy/republic.

     

    SS4CG2 --Explain the importance of freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

     

    SS4CG3-- Describe the structure of government and the Bill of Rights.

     

    Economic Understandings

    SS4E1 Use the basic economic concepts of trade, opportunity cost, specialization, voluntary exchange, productivity, and price incentives to illustrate historical events.

    SS4E2 identifies the elements of a personal budget (income, expenditures, and saving) and explains why personal spending and saving decisions are important.

     

     Instructional Philosophy: I follow the belief that every child has a right to a high-quality education so that he or she can be competitive in today's society. Parents, I have an open-door policy, so feel welcome to come and help with your child's education.

    Major Course Project & Instructional Activities: Students will be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of the Social Studies standards. 

    Course Assessment Plan: Rubric will be utilized during the school year to grade students’ projects as well as course work. Students will be given copies of the rubric in order to adjust their work before it is turned in.  Students will be given tests weekly or biweekly to measure understanding as well as to monitor growth. Tests will be scheduled on Fridays. Test dates are subject to change.

     

    Grades will be assigned as follows:                           The Richmond County Grading Scale is as follows:

    Tests - 30%                                                                                       A – 100 - 90

    Projects – 20%                                                                                  B – 80 – 89         

    Quizzes – 20%                                                                                   C – 75 – 79

    Journal – 20%                                                                                    D – 70 – 74

    Homework – 10%                                                                              F – Below 70

    Classroom Expectations: Students are expected to come to class prepared daily with paper, pencils, textbooks, and homework assignments. Students are asked to have (2) notebooks for this class. Students are expected to come in class on time, in an orderly manner, prepared to begin their daily assignments.

    Homework Policy and Grading Scale: Homework is due the day after it is assigned. Due dates are subject to change and students will be notified of the changes.  Any student who misses an assignment due to illness or an absence will be responsible for turning in the assignment upon returning to school.