A - Map and Globe Skills

• use cardinal directions
• use intermediate directions
• use a letter/number grid system to determine location
• compare and contrast the categories of natural, cultural, and political features found on maps
• use inch-to-inch map scale to determine distance on a map
• use map key/legend to acquire information from historical, physical, political, resource, product, and economic maps
• use a map to explain impact of geography on historical and current events
• draw conclusions and make generalizations based on information from maps
• use latitude and longitude to determine location

B - Information Processing Skills

• compare similarities and differences
• organize items chronologically
• identify issues and/or problems and alternative solutions
• distinguish between fact and opinion
• identify main idea, detail, sequence of events, and cause and effect in a social studies context
• identify and use primary and secondary sources
• interpret timelines
• identify social studies reference resources to use for a specific purpose
• construct charts and tables
• analyze artifacts
• draw conclusions and make generalizations
• analyze graphs and diagrams
• translate dates into centuries, eras, or ages

C - American Indians

• compare and contrast early American Indian cultures and their development in North America

D - Exploration of North America

• describe European exploration in North America

E - Colonial America

• explain the factors that shaped British Colonial America

F - Geography of America

• locate major topographical features on a physical map of the United States
• locate and describe the equator, prime meridian, and lines of latitude and longitude on a globe
• describe how physical systems affect human systems

G - American Government

• describe the elements of representative democracy/republic in the United States

H - Civics

• explain the importance of Americans sharing certain central democratic beliefs and principles, both personal and civic

I - Personal Finance/Economics

• define and give examples of the four types of productive resources
• explain that governments provide certain types of goods and services in a market economy (e.g., schools, libraries, roads, police and fire protection, and military) and pay for these through taxes
• give examples of interdependence and trade and explain the benefits of voluntary exchange
• explain the concept of opportunity cost as it relates to making a saving or spending choice