In fourth grade social studies, students explore the history and government of New York City and State.
By the end of the school year, all students should be able to:
■ Know and understand basic ideas about how our nation, State, and City developed, including early Native American Indian life in New York State; the Colonial and Revolutionary War periods; and the growth of industry, cities, and governments.
■ Use skills that help them get information and form opinions about social studies topics. For example, take notes to gather and organize information, to identify points of view, to work together to create group presentations, and to summarize current events and issues.
■ Research and make presentations on various topics in social studies, such as geography, history, government, and economics, related to New York and American history.
■ Understand and describe the sequence of events that led to the Revolutionary War, including the economic factors, such as taxes and resources.
■ Understand and explain how the location of New York City was important in the development of industry, New York State, and the United States.
■ Research and learn about the many immigrant groups that settled in New York City past and present.
■ Know the important founding documents of the United States, such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, and how they help us understand the role of government in a democracy.
■ Compare and contrast the duties of local, state, and federal governments.
■ Appreciate the importance of citizenship and active participation in government.
Learning at Home
As a family, visit a New York City park or playground near your home. Look for the historical sign that tells the story of the location and the person after whom the park is named. To locate a park or sign near your home, visit www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs.html.
South Street Seaport Museum re-creates sights and sounds of New York’s early shipping industry. Visit the museum’s Web site, www.southstreetseaportmuseum.org, for a history and timeline of the seaport and images from exhibits.
The African Burial Ground commemorates the contributions and legacy of Africans to colonial New York City. Visit the memorial’s Web site at www.africanburialground.gov.
Ask your child to find the names and addresses of your borough president and the City Council member for your neighborhood. What kinds of issues does each one handle? Write a letter to one of them about an issue in your area.