Grade 5 (2025)

Indigenous people modified their physical environment as well as adapted to their environment. Their interactions with their environment led to various innovations and to the development of unique cultures. Indigenous people contributed to the development and growth of the United States. Modern tribal nations continue to be active participants in communities across the United States.

In the 16th and 17th century, European powers explored and eventually colonized the Americas. This had a profound effect on Indigenous people and led to the transatlantic slave trade.

Historical events can be described in terms of causation and impact. Social Scientists analyze events to determine the impacts on people and places and to identify interconnectivity across time and place.

The diverse geography of the United States influenced human culture and settlement in distinct ways over time. Human communities in the United States have modified the physical environment.

Throughout United States history diverse individuals have shared their rich and varied cultures and ideas with those around them. Often, groups of people shared some of the same concerns and issues.

The political systems of the United States varied in structure and organization across time and place.

Throughout the history of the United States, people have developed ways to meet their needs and wants. Technological developments and events have contributed to the economic growth of the United States.

Long before contact with Europeans, Indigenous people populated the area now known as the United States.

Indigenous people adapted to their environment by making use of the resources around them and developing distinct ways of life.

Indigenous people living together in settlements developed shared cultures with customs, beliefs, values, and languages that give identity to the group. Indigenous people also developed patterns of organization and governance to manage their societies.

Indigenous people (American Indians*) used economic systems that reflected their cultures and impacted relationships with other tribal nations and European settlers. These economic systems supported the development and growth of the United States. Today, tribal nations across the United States are active in economic enterprises that influence the country’s economic system.

Indigenous people (American Indians) played a significant role in the development and history of America.

Europeans traveled to the Americas in search of new trade routes, including a northwest passage, and resources. They hoped to gain wealth, power, and glory.

Europeans encountered and interacted with American Indians in a variety of ways. The interactions of these cultures led to significant impacts on the tribal nations residing in America.

The transatlantic trade of goods, movement of people, and spread of ideas and diseases resulted in cultural diffusion. This cultural diffusion became known as the Columbian Exchange, which reshaped the lives and influenced the beliefs of people.

Africans were captured, brought to the Americas, and enslaved. Enslaved people played a significant role in the development of the United States.

United States history can be divided into eras or time periods. Each time period was influenced by the contributions of people and significant events that altered history. Time Periods: Colonial Times, American Revolution, Westward Expansion, Civil War, Modern Times

Physical maps reflect the varied climate zones, landforms, bodies of water, and natural resources of the United States.

A colony is an area over which a foreign nation extends or maintains control. In the 17th century, colonies developed in the areas settled by English explorers. Over time, these colonies grew to form the area known as the United States of America. The 13 original English colonies adapted to and modified their environment to meet the needs of colonists.

The physical environment influenced human population distribution, land use, and other forms of economic activity throughout the history of the United States. Time Periods: Colonial Times, American Revolution, Westward Expansion, Civil War, Modern Times

Individuals contributed to the development and history of the United States by sharing their culture, views, and beliefs with others. Many of these people provided leadership during times of change. Time Periods: Colonial Times, American Revolution, Westward Expansion, Civil War, Modern Times

Throughout history, people in the United States faced a variety of concerns and issues specific to the country. Time Periods: Colonial Times, American Revolution, Westward Expansion, Civil War, Modern Times

Government structures, functions, and political documents contributed to the development and history of the United States. Time Periods: Colonial Times, American Revolution, Westward Expansion, Civil War, Modern Times

The foundational documents of the United States define the values, beliefs, and principles of constitutional democracy.

Across time and place, different groups of people in the United States have struggled and fought for equality and civil rights or sovereignty. Time Periods: Colonial Times, American Revolution, Westward Expansion, Civil War, Modern Times

Across time and place, individuals and groups in the United States have sought ways to encourage cooperation, protect human rights, support economic development, and aid in challenging situations. At times, tensions and disagreements between groups of people have led to hardships and war. Time Periods: Colonial Times, American Revolution, Westward Expansion, Civil War, Modern Times

Economic systems have developed across time and place within the United States. Economic systems address the three economic questions: what will be produced, how it will be produced, and who will get what is produced? Time Periods: Colonial Times, American Revolution, Westward Expansion, Civil War, Modern Times

Economics influenced the decisions made by people throughout history, which impacted the development and history of the United States. Time Periods: Colonial Times, American Revolution, Westward Expansion, Civil War, Modern Times

Students will gather, interpret, and use evidence from maps and archaeological evidence to describe the location of tribal nations in the area now known as the United States.

Students will use geographic reasoning to analyze and create physical maps that depict the settlements of tribal nations throughout the United States and corresponding physical features, such as climate, landforms, water, and availability of natural resources.

Students will use geographic reasoning to describe the ways Indigenous people adapted to the environment and developed distinct ways of life.

Students will gather, interpret, and use evidence to compare and contrast Indigenous people’s societies in terms of governance and cultural elements.

Students will use economic reasoning to describe how American Indians used economic systems in the past to meet their needs and wants and support relationships across tribal nations.

Students will use economic reasoning to describe the impact tribal nations’ economic enterprises have on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services throughout the United States today.

Students will gather, interpret, and use evidence to describe the influential role American Indians played in the development and growth of the United States.

Students will use chronological reasoning and causation skills to describe the motivations and routes of European explorers.

Students will use geographic reasoning to locate and describe areas of the Americas colonized by European countries.

Students will use chronological reasoning and causation skills to describe the impact of European interactions with American Indians.

Students will use chronological reasoning and causation skills to identify multiple causes and effects of the Columbian Exchange.

Students will gather, interpret, and use evidence to understand European colonists expanded slavery by forcing Africans to come to the Americas.

Students will gather, interpret, and use evidence to explain the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its impact on the African coast and African people.

Students will gather, interpret, and use evidence to identify the challenges and hardships endured by enslaved people in the United States. (Also applicable during study of Colonial Times, American Revolution, Westward Expansion, and Civil War)

Students will gather, interpret, and use evidence to identify the contributions of Africans on the culture and development of the United States. (See companion standard 5.5)

Students will use chronological reasoning and causation skills to create timelines depicting key events in the history of the United States.

Students will gather, interpret, and use evidence from primary and secondary sources to analyze historical events for multiple perspectives.

Students will use chronological reasoning and causation skills to determine the multiple causes and effects of hardships and wars faced by the American people.

Students will use geographic reasoning to analyze and create physical maps that depict features, such as climate, landforms, water, and natural resources of the United States.

Students will use geographic reasoning to locate and describe the physical features of the thirteen original English colonies on published and student created maps.

Students will use comparison and contextualization skills to compare the environmental adaptations and modifications made by the original English colonies.

Students will use geographic reasoning and tools to identify patterns in human population distribution, land use, and other forms of economic activity during the history of the United States.

Students will use comparison and contextualization skills to describe the impact of perspectives, culture, and influential individuals on the development and history of the United States.

Students will gather, interpret, and use evidence to explain concerns or issues faced by people during United States history.

Students will use comparison and contextualization skills to compare the structure, functions, and political documents of the modern United States government with the government present during key times in its history.

Students will gather, interpret, and use evidence to determine the role of foundational documents on key values, beliefs, and principles of constitutional democracy.

Students will use chronological reasoning and causation skills to identify situations throughout the history of the United States where groups of people have struggled or are struggling for equality and civil rights or sovereignty.

Students will use civic participation skills to identify people and organizations aiding, supporting economic development, or encouraging cooperation and cultural understanding throughout the history of the United States.

Students will use economic reasoning to identify economic characteristics of locations in the United States throughout history.

Students will use chronological reasoning and causation skills to describe the relationship between economics, political decisions, and events during the history of the United States.