Mr. Nifoussi's 4th Grade Civics Course

"In grade 4, students study the geography and people of the United States today. Students learn geography by addressing standards that emphasize political and physical geography and embed five major concepts: location, place, human interaction with the environment, movement, and regions (Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework - 4th Grade)."

Over the course of the fourth grade year my students and I will have the opportunity to learn all about our wonderful country - from sea to shining sea - and the greater Americas region (Mexico, Canada, Central America, etc.). More specifically we'll learn about the cultural, regional, geographic, economic, and historical diversity of this region of the world. My understanding of the standards (see 4.15 below) leads me to believe that I will be able to incorporate not only the 'discoverers' and founders (read - white man's) voice, but also the native voice, the voice of the working class, the voice of the slave and others. Sharing experiences from a multitude of persons (young and old) who helped shape this part of the world will hopefully allow my students to grasp on to the concepts by making connections with the world we find ourselves in today.

I hope to incorporate much of our learning about the Americas into subjects such as Mathematics (the use of land and other resources, the size of states, provinces, and countries, as well as the economics of said states, provinces, and countries); English/Language Arts (reading prime source materials and writing letters as if we were alive in that persons era so as to help, or perhaps hinder, their endeavors); Physical Education (capture the flag to simulate 'Manifest Destiny'(?)).

I believe that the teaching of civics/social studies/social sciences/history (or whatever its called) provides the opportunity to make present-day connections and to ask critical questions about why our society is the way it is (with regard to economics, politics, land/resource usage, etc.).

The skills to be learned in my class range from students being able to "4.15 Describe the diverse nature of the American people by identifying the distinctive contributions to American culture of: several indigenous people, African Americans, major European Immigrant groups, etc" to "4.11 Describe the climate, major physical features, and major natural resources in each region," as well as learning about Mexico, Canada and the greater Americas.

That being said, I believe the challenge presented to me will be the incorporation of relevant material so as to allow students the opportunity to make connections to the materials and to utilize the skills we're learning about our country and region with their daily experiences.