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 - Turn of the Century

• describe how life changed in America at the turn of the century
• locate important places in U.S. History since the turn of the century on a map
• explain the reasons for the spatial patterns of economic activities
• explain how a citizen's rights are protected under the U.S. Constitution
• explain the process by which amendments to the U.S. Constitution are made
• explain how amendments to the U.S. Constitution have maintained a representative democracy/republic as the form of government for the United States

D - World War I

• describe U.S. involvement in World War I and discuss post-World War I America

E - The Great Depression

• explain how the Great Depression and New Deal affected the lives of millions of Americans

F - World War II

• explain America's involvement in World War II

G - The Cold War

• discuss the origins and consequences of the Cold War
• describe the importance of key people, events, and developments between 1950 and 1975

H - America Since 1975

• trace important developments in America from 1975 to 2001

I - Economics and Personal Finance

• use the basic economic concepts of trade, opportunity cost, specialization, productivity, and price incentives to illustrate historical events
• describe the functions of the four major sectors in the U.S. economy
• describe how consumers and producers interact in the U.S. economy
• identify the elements of a personal budget (i.e., income, expenditures, and saving) and explain why personal spending and saving decisions are important