Unit description: In this unit, students will learn about how the first humans in the Western Hemisphere modified their physical environment as well as adapted to their environment. Students will have the opportunity to investigate how their interactions with their environment led to various innovations and to the development of unique cultures.Students will learn about early peoples living together in settlements and how this lead to the development of shared cultures with customs, beliefs, values, and languages that give identity to the group.
Standards
- (Standards: 1, 2, 3; Themes: ID, MOV, TCC, GEO)
Essential Questions and Big Ideas
- Big Idea of the Unit
- Early settlers of the Western Hemisphere adapted to the environment and developed rich and unique cultures.
- How did early settlers travel to North America?
- Early settlers traveled to North America by foot and by boat.
- What caused settlement of specific areas?
- Early North Americans settled in areas where there was a water and food source and natural protection.
- How did the location of settlements affect cultures and beliefs?
- Climate, land and water formations and connections with other humans affected the cultures and beliefs of early Americans.
- How did regional location create differences in Native American cultures?
- Cultures of Native American tribes across the continent were developed based on the resource allocation and climate of the region they resided.
Download the complete Grade 5 Social Studies – Early Peoples of the Americas framework to customize for your own planning.