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
• use graphic scales to determine distances on a map
• compare maps of the same place at different points in time and from different perspectives to determine changes, identify trends, and generalize about activities
• compare maps with data sets (e.g., charts, tables, graphs) and/or readings to draw conclusions and make generalizations

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
• formulate appropriate research questions
• determine adequacy and/or relevancy of information
• check for consistency of information
• interpret political cartoons

C - American Revolution

• explain the causes, major events, and results of the American Revolution
• describe how physical systems affect human systems
• locate important physical and man-made features related to the American Revolution on a map
• use the basic economic concepts of trade, opportunity cost, specialization, voluntary exchange, productivity, and price incentives to illustrate their impact on historical events

D - A New Nation

• analyze the challenges faced by the framers of the S. Constitution
• locate important physical and man-made features related to the new nation on a map
• describe the structure of government and the Bill of Rights
• describe the meaning of the founding documents and principles of the new nation
• explain the importance of freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment to the S. Constitution

E - Westward Expansion

• explain westward expansion in America
• locate important physical and man-made features related to westward expansion on a map
• use basic economic concepts of trade, opportunity cost, specialization, voluntary exchange, productivity, and price incentives to illustrate their impact on westward expansion in the United States

F - Reform Movements

• examine the main ideas of the abolitionist and suffrage movements

G - The Civil War

• explain the causes, major events, and consequences of the Civil War
• locate important physical and man-made features related to the Civil War on a map

H - Reconstruction

• analyze the effects of Reconstruction on American life

I - Personal Finance

• identify the elements of a personal budget (i.e., income, expenditures, and saving) and explain why personal spending and saving decisions are important