SOcial Studies
Teacher: Mrs. Pierce
This year students will develop key concepts through hands-on learning with simulations, in-school projects, and writing prompts. Students will participate in hands-on work to gain better insight into the information and concepts being taught.
Quarter 1 Big Idea(s) / Major Understanding(s):
Students will understand that...
· During the Age of Exploration Europeans sought a route to Asia, but what they found instead were land and peoples previously
unknown to them.
· Europeans and Native Americans interacted in a variety of ways, and differing views of land ownership often caused violent clashes.
· Religion and economics were among the most compelling reasons for people to move to the colonies.
· Those who came to the colonies for religious reasons, such as the Puritans and the Quakers, had a major impact in shaping colonial society.
· Many colonists endured hardships in the early years of colonization.
Quarter 2 Big Idea(s) / Major Understanding(s):
· The British North American colonies developed three distinct economic regions: New England, the Mid-Atlantic colonies, and the
Southern colonies. Many of the differences were determined by geographic factors.
· The need for labor was resolved first by indentured servants and then by African slaves who became part of the Triangular Trade.
· Colonial government was based on key democratic principles. Participation in American democracy has broadened since the 18th century
Quarter 3 Big Idea(s) / Major Understanding(s):
· Conflicts arose in the British North American colonies between Europeans and Native Americans, among the colonists themselves, and between the French and British.
· The causes of these conflicts are found in the chronology of events preceding them.
· A series of events caused the deterioration of relations between Britain and her thirteen North American colonies, leading to war.
Quarter 4 Big Idea(s) / Major Understanding(s):
· The conflict between Britain and her North American colonies was based on differing viewpoints of the ideas and ideals articulated in the Declaration of Independence.
· The victory of the new United States of America in the American Revolution was the result of winning key battles, gaining favorable alliances, and key figures playing major roles.
· The outcome of the war led to the movement of people.
Quarter 1 Big Idea(s) / Major Understanding(s):
Students will understand that...
· During the Age of Exploration Europeans sought a route to Asia, but what they found instead were land and peoples previously
unknown to them.
· Europeans and Native Americans interacted in a variety of ways, and differing views of land ownership often caused violent clashes.
· Religion and economics were among the most compelling reasons for people to move to the colonies.
· Those who came to the colonies for religious reasons, such as the Puritans and the Quakers, had a major impact in shaping colonial society.
· Many colonists endured hardships in the early years of colonization.
Quarter 2 Big Idea(s) / Major Understanding(s):
· The British North American colonies developed three distinct economic regions: New England, the Mid-Atlantic colonies, and the
Southern colonies. Many of the differences were determined by geographic factors.
· The need for labor was resolved first by indentured servants and then by African slaves who became part of the Triangular Trade.
· Colonial government was based on key democratic principles. Participation in American democracy has broadened since the 18th century
Quarter 3 Big Idea(s) / Major Understanding(s):
· Conflicts arose in the British North American colonies between Europeans and Native Americans, among the colonists themselves, and between the French and British.
· The causes of these conflicts are found in the chronology of events preceding them.
· A series of events caused the deterioration of relations between Britain and her thirteen North American colonies, leading to war.
Quarter 4 Big Idea(s) / Major Understanding(s):
· The conflict between Britain and her North American colonies was based on differing viewpoints of the ideas and ideals articulated in the Declaration of Independence.
· The victory of the new United States of America in the American Revolution was the result of winning key battles, gaining favorable alliances, and key figures playing major roles.
· The outcome of the war led to the movement of people.