Grade 5 History and Social Studies

United States History to the Civil War and the Modern Civil Rights Movement

Building on their knowledge of North American geography and peoples learned in Grade 4, students learn about the history of the colonies, the early Republic, the expansion of the United States, the growing sectional conflicts of the 19th century, and the Civil Rights Movement of the mid-20th century. They study these topics by exploring guiding questions such as, “What is the meaning of the statement, ‘All men are created equal’?” and “Is a person ever justified in disobeying a law?”

Grade 5 History and Social Science Topics

• Topic 1. Early colonization and growth of colonies
• Topic 2. Reasons for revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the formation of government
• Topic 3. Principles of United States government  
• Topic 4. Growth of the Republic  
• Topic 5. Slavery, the legacy of the Civil War and the struggle for civil rights for all

Literacy in History and Social Science  

In studying these topics, students apply grade 5 standards for reading informational text, writing, and speaking and listening, and learn vocabulary and concepts related to history and social science.