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HPISD CURRICULUM
(SOCIAL STUDIES, GRADE 4)
EST. NUMBER OF DAYS:15 DAYS: 1ST SIX WEEKS: WEEKS 1-3 *CELEBRATE FREEDOM WEEK*
UNIT NAME
Unit Overview
Generalizations/Enduring Understandings
UNIT 1A: RELATIONSHIPS: A LAND CALLED TEXAS: GEOGRAPHY OF THE LONE STAR STATE: CH.1
Texas covers a large area. It includes a wide variety of landforms, waterways, and climatic regions. The Central Plains, The
Great Plains, The Central Plains, Mountains and Basins, and Coastal Plains are diverse regions in Texas which interrelate
with each other and the rest of the United States.
Geography plays a major role in determining the story of any area.
Physical geography affects people because it influences the way they live and their relationships.
Geographic tools quickly convey specific types of information. Relationships among plants, animals, and people affect the
environment by influencing people’s lifestyle.
The use of natural resources affects the people and the land by influencing conservation and the future of the planet.
Knowing someone’s beliefs, customs, and culture leads to understanding and better relationships among people.
Concepts
Geography
Guiding/Essential Questions
How do people adapt to the Texas land?
What are geographic tools and how are they used to understand the regions?
What is geographic data and how is it used to understand the needs of each region?
What is the relationship between living and non-living elements?
Why are relationships important?
How are cooperation and relationships related?
What are some ways to communicate with others?
How do beliefs, customs, and culture shape our lives?
How do rules and laws help relationships?
Learning Targets
Formative Assessments
Summative Assessments
TEKS
(6) Geography. The student uses geographic tools to collect,
analyze, and interpret data. The student is expected to:
(A) apply geographic tools, including grid systems,
legends, symbols, scales, and compass roses, to construct
and interpret maps; and
(B) translate geographic data, population distribution, and
natural resources, into a variety of formats such graphs and
maps
(7) Geography. The student understands the concept of
regions. The student is expected to:
(A) describe a variety of regions in Texas and the United
States such as political, population, and economic regions
Specifications
elevation map and elevation key
natural resources: renewable and non-renewable,
meaning of a “green home”
shape of Texas, natural borders, Red River, Rio Grande
River, Sabine River, Gulf of Mexico
REVISED 05-24-10 (SMF)
that result from patterns of human activity;
(B) identify, locate, and compare the geographic regions of
Texas (Mountains and Basins, Great Plains, North Central
Plains, Coastal Plains), including their landforms, climate,
and vegetation; and
(C) compare the geographic regions of Texas (Mountains and
Basins, Great Plains, North Central Plains, Coastal
Plains)with regions of the United States and other parts of the
world.
(9) Geography. The student understands how people adapt
to and modify their environment. The student is expected to
(B) identify reasons why people have adapted to and
modified their environment in Texas, past and present, such
as the use of natural resources to meet basic needs, facilitate
transportation, and enhance recreational activities;
Climate and vegetation of each region
Landforms: Edwards Escarpment, Balcones Plateau,
Barton Springs, Edwards Aquifer,
Palo Duro Canyon, Guadalupe Peak, McDonald
Observatory, Big Bend National Park, King Ranch, Padre
Island, NASA, Lady Bird Johnson
(15) Government. The student understands important ideas
in historical documents of Texas and the United States. The
student is expected to:
(C) identify the intent, meaning, and importance of the
Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the
Bill of Rights (Celebrate Freedom Week).
TEKS (Grade Level) / Specifications
(16)Citizenship. The student understands important
customs, symbols, and celebrations of Texas. The student is
expected to:
(A) explain the meaning of various patriotic symbols and
landmarks of Texas, including the six flags that flew over
Texas, the San Jacinto Monument, the Alamo, and various
missions;
(C) recite and explain the meaning of the Pledge to the Texas
Flag;
(21) Social studies skills. The student applies criticalthinking skills to organize and use information acquired
from a variety of valid sources, including electronic
technology. The student is expected to:
(A) differentiate between, locate, and use valid primary and
secondary sources such as computer software; interviews;
biographies; oral, print, and visual material; documents and
artifacts to acquire information about the United States and
Texas;
(C) organize and interpret information in outlines, reports,
databases, and visuals, including graphs, charts, timelines,
and maps;
(E) use appropriate mathematical skills to interpret social
studies information such as maps and graphs.
Symbols:
bluebonnet, pecan tree, mockingbird, prickly pear cactus,
jalapeno – include the meaning behind each symbol
We selected this skill because the students will be
researching symbols, points of interest, and landforms of
Texas. In addition, they will be presenting the information
they find.
REVISED 05-24-10 (SMF)
Processes and Skills
(22)Social studies skills. The student communicates in
written, oral, and visual forms. The student is expected to:
(A) use social studies terminology correctly;
(B) incorporate main and supporting ideas in verbal and
written communication;
(D) create written and visual material such as journal entries,
reports, graphic organizers, outlines, and bibliographies; and
(E) use standard grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and
punctuation.
(23)Social studies skills. The student uses problem-solving
and decision-making skills, working independently and with
others, in a variety of settings. The student is expected to:
(B) use a decision-making process to identify a situation that
requires a decision, gather information, identify options,
predict consequences, and take action to implement a
decision.
The students will use graphic organizers to organize the
information they research.
Natural resources lend to teaching students about
respectfully using resources and conservation.
Topics
Renewable and non-renewable resources, natural resources, environment, and conservation
Language of Instruction
Hemisphere, landform, geography, escarpment, border, elevation, plateau, plain, waterway, aquifer, spring, gulf, renewable
and non-renewable resources, natural resources, pollution, drought, climate, weather, grid systems, symbols, scales,
compass rose, population distribution, climate, vegetation
State Assessment Connections
National Assessment Connections
Resources
Unit 1-Chapter 1 Scott Foresman Social Studies , Texas
Workbook pages 1-8
Novel: A Paradise Called Texas
SOS, Sustaining Our State, a project of the Texas Alliance for Geographic Educationhttp://sos.tamu.edu/
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/
www.tshaonline.org
www.state.tx.us
www.sfsocialstudies.com
www.lib.utexas.edu
REVISED 05-24-10 (SMF)