Fourth Grade – Social Studies

4.0.1  Education was different in the past than it is today.

  • Farm and town children were taught in one-room schools 3-6 months each year
  • Schools were strict for all ages of students who attended classes in one room.

4.1 Nebraska on the Map

4.1.1 Nebraska’s history can be explored through symbols and documents.

  • Studying history is important
http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/index.html

http://www.discovernebraska.org/

http://nebraskaaccess.ne.gov

http://www.worldbookonline.com/kids/home

https://www.loc.gov/

http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/students/explore_by_topic/history_culture.html

http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/resources

4.1.2  Nebraska has a place on the map.

  • Nebraska is in the western hemisphere
  • Nebraska is in the northern hemisphere
  • Nebraska is in the middle of North America

4.1.3  Nebraska has a place in America’s regions

  • Why are there 5 regions?
  • Regions are composed of states with capitals.
  • Each region has unique characteristics:  geography, climate, food sources; plants and animals; people and culture; landmarks.
http://www.memories.ne.gov

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/books/applications/imaps/maps/g2_u2/index.html

4.1.4  Nebraska’s land, water, wind and weather affect our natural resources and regions.

  • Nebraska is more than flat land
  • Nebraska has renewable resources
  • Nebraska has distinct land regions
  • Nebraska regions support wildlife
http://ashfall.unl.edu

4.2  First Nebraskans and European Encounters Open the West

http://www.nebraskastudies.org/

4.2.1  First Nebraskans included nomadic tribes and farming tribes.

  • Eastern land was appropriate for farming western land was appropriate for nomadic hunting.

4.2.2 Native peoples established nations with distinct histories and cultures.

http://www.americaslibrary.gov
  • Significant ceremonies of nations
  • Where nations were located
  • Storytelling as a way to maintain culture
http://www.americanhistory.si.edu/kids/buffalo/

4.2.3 Native American history and culture was changed by contact with Europeans

  • European explorers came to Nebraska to claim land and resources.
http://worldbookonline.com/student/home (Search-Lewis and Clark)

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lewisandclark/

http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/

http://lewisclark.net/

http://www.lewis-clark.org/

http://www.americaslibrary.gov

4.2.4 Trails and settlements followed water routes

http://oregontrail101.com/
 
http://historyglobe.com/ot/otmap1.htm  (Oregon Trail landmark tour)

http://www.globalgamenetwork.com/westward_trail.html  (Oregon Trail Simulation)

https://archive.org/details/msdos_Oregon_Trail_The_1990 (original Oregon Trail Game) 

http://mrnussbaum.com/oregon-trail

http://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-oregontrail.html
  • Major rivers and terrain determined trail paths and settlement sites.
  • Motivation varied (Oregon=land, California=gold, Mormon=religious freedom)

4.3  Nebraska Settlement and Displacement

4.3.1 Nebraska became a free (non-slave) territory as voted by the settlers.

  • Kansas-Nebraska Act
http://worldbookonline.com/student/home  (Search - KS/NE act, underground railroad)
  • Slave state vs. Free state

4.3.2  The settlers needed services, transportation, communication and access to goods

http://americanhistory.si.edu/ourstory/f/sodhouse.html
  • Business opportunity
  • Transportation and communication impacted growth of Nebraska as a territory.
  • Transcontinental railroad impact

4.3.3   A variety of people who wanted land settled in Nebraska

  • The Homestead Act provided free land
http://www.nps.gov/home
  • Civil War soldiers, immigrants, African American settlers, Easterners, all traveled to settle in Nebraska.
  • Settlers in Nebraska adapted to life on the plains.
  • Native Americans lost land to the U.S. government.

4.3.4  All Native American Nations were forced from their homelands to live on reservations

http://wintercounts.si.edu/index.html

4.3.5  Life was challenging for Native Americans.

http://www.mission-us.org/pages/landing-mission-3
  • Reservation life was difficult due to little money or job training.
  • The U.S. government boarding schools forced native children to adapt to white culture.

4.4  Establishing Nebraska as a State

4.4.1  Lincoln is chosen as state capital

  • There have been 3 capitol buildings in Nebraska’s history

4.4.2  Range wars resulted from competing land needs

  • Ranchers and farmers faced hardships and competed for land and resources.
  • Herds of cattle were driven north from Texas (development of cowboy culture)

4.4.3  Nebraska’s role as a modern state impacted U.S. History

  • The Populist Party became a strong voice in state and national politics.
  • The Chautauqua Movement helped spread culture and political debate.
  • The Trans-Mississippi Exposition showcased Nebraska as a modern state.

4.4.4  Many Nebraskans have impacted United States history in a variety of ways.

  • Notable Nebraskans include men and women from diverse cultural groups who have impacted our lives through inventions, discoveries, performing arts and service to their country.
http://www.nebraskahistory.org

http://www.minerland.net/famous.htm

4.4.5  Agribusiness is important in Nebraska.

  • Nebraskans have many different jobs.
  • Nebraska has a role in the world’s economy.