Skills & Concepts: 4th – 5th Grades

4th Grade


English/Reading/Writing

  • – Uses specific examples from the text to explain characters’ motivations, main events, central themes or ideas about a text.
  • – Uses the context of a text to determine the meaning of a word.
  • – Understands and can explain the differences between narrative prose, drama and poetry.
  • – Identifies and refers to the various parts of a poem and plays such as verses, settings, and characters.
  • – Interprets and connects information from illustrations, graphs, charts or other sources related to the text.
  • – Identifies, compares and contrasts different perspectives from which texts are written. (For example, 1st and 3rd person).
  • – Compares and contrasts the way different texts address the same issue, theme or topic.
  • – Construct multiple kinds of writing: comparison/ contrasts.
  • – Makes connections between people, events or important ideas in a text.
  • – Uses previous knowledge to read unfamiliar multi-syllable words.
  • – Reads grade-level texts with accurate comprehension, pacing and expression.
  • – Apply knowledge of language structure
  • – Apply appropriate conventions to writing
  • – Apply appropriate usage and grammar; quotations, colon, semi-colon
  • – Demonstrate knowledge of parts of speech
  • – Demonstrate and apply correct capitalization and punctuation: proper nouns
  • – Develop and apply correct punctuation: internal punctuation; rules for comma
  • – Apply principals of conventional spelling
  • – Practice written composition
  • – Construct and apply vocabulary to read and extend understanding
  • – Demonstrate a knowledge of homophones
  • – Demonstrate structural analysis skills to extend understanding
  • – Writes opinion pieces which express a point of view and which have an introduction, a conclusion, reasons and facts to support the opinion and groups together related ideas.
  • – Writes informative/explanatory pieces which present information on a topic, use facts and details, group together related topics, and provides and introduction and conclusion.
  • – Writes narrative pieces which use specific details, descriptions and dialogue to convey a real event and includes an introduction and conclusion.
  • – Plans, revises and edits his writing.
  • – Uses technology to publish, research and communicate with others under the proper guidance of an adult or teacher.
  • – Types with beginning accuracy and ability. (For example, types one page of text within one sitting).
  • – Demonstrate revision skills in writing to clarify communication
  • – Demonstrate oral presentation skills
  • – Demonstrate handwriting skills: legibility

Sample Activities

  • Read and Research Together: Read the same book as your child either independently, together or a combination of both. Talk about the books as you read them, reviewing main ideas and plots and expressing your opinions on the book. Then read an additional book or books on the same subject and compare and contrast how the books both dealt with the same issue. For example, read two fiction books about family, or two different topics about the same historical event or non-fiction topic.
  • Compare Perspectives: Read two texts, one which is first-hand and one which is written in third person about the same event. Talk with your child about the differences and why she thinks these differences exist. Or try this yourself! After sharing an event with your child, each of you can write about it from your own perspectives. Or choose an event which one of you experienced first-hand, that each of you can write about. Talk about the differences between what you wrote to gain a better understanding of perspective.
  • Read magazine and newspaper articles focusing on illustrations, graphs or charts. Point out to your child what they show, ask her to help you interpret it and discuss how they help explain or elaborate on the text. 
  • Ask Why: When your child expresses his opinion or states his ideas about something, ask him why he thinks that or how he knows it to be true. This will help him learn to support his opinion with reasons and/or facts. Do the same when you express your opinion or ideas about something.
  • Practice Typing: Encourage your child to practice his typing skills. Use typing games or make up your own games such as giving your child a word to spell and timing how fast he can type it.
  • Email with your Child:  Set up an email account for your child and write emails to each other describing your days to each other. Include details, conversations, thoughts and emotions you had. This can be done in addition to generally encouraging (and supervising) your child’s use of technology — helping him use it for research, writing and communicating with others. As always, be cautious of your child’s technology use by monitoring and supervising how much it is used and with whom he communicates.
  • Practice Note Taking: When you and your child go somewhere like a museum or on a trip, or even when you or child just talks about something interesting or of importance, pretend to be reporters and take notes. Both you and your child can take notes and then use those notes to later describe what you learned.  You can even relay your “reports” as a newscaster would on a news show. 


Math

  • – Uses addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to solve word problems, including word problems that require multiple steps and computation.
  • – Adds and subtracts multi-digit numbers.
  • – Multiplies a number that has up to 4 digits by a 1 digit number, (for example, 2345 x 6) and multiplies two 2 digit numbers by each other, (for example, 13 X 16).
  • – Solves division equations which include remainders.   
  • – Solves word problems which measure distance, time, size, money and area and perimeter.
  • – Predicts answers to word problems and equations based on knowledgeable estimation.
  • – Understands the concepts of and learns the multiples and factors for numbers 1-100.
  • – Follows a pattern or set of guidelines to determine a number. For example: Start with 5. Add 3, five times and subtract 1. What number are you left with?
  • – Compares and explains why one fraction is bigger or smaller than another, using visuals and/or common denominators.
  • – Begins to add and subtract fractions, including through word problems.
  • – Begins to write and compare fractions as decimals. 
  • – Reads and writes multi-digit numbers using bases of ten and expanded forms. For example: 4,538 = 4 thousands, 5 hundreds, 3 tens and 8 ones.
  • – Compares multi-digit number using < and >. 
  • – Rounds multi-digit numbers to any place. 
  • – Creates and uses graphs to represent data and answer questions and specifically creates line plots. 
  • – Begins to learn about, measure, and decipher the angles of a shape. 
  • – Explains her thinking and how she solves math equations and word problems both verbally and through writing.  

NUMBER SENSE & OPERATIONS

  • – Read, represent, write, compare, order, and interpret whole numbers through one million and decimals through hundredths; identify place value; round numbers; recognize classes of numbers.
  • – Represent, compare, and order fractions and decimals; find fraction equivalences; relate fractions to decimals; add and subtract common fractions.
  • – Know multiplication and related division facts through 12 x 12; multiply 3-digit by 2-digit and divide 3-digit by 1- digit; interpret remainders.

PATTERNS, RELATIONS & ALGEBRA

  • – Describe, create, and extend geometric and numeric patterns (including multiplication).
  • – Use variables to represent unknowns in expressions, number sentences; determine value of variables.
  • – Solve unit pricing and map scales problems.

GEOMETRY

  • – Describe, model, draw, compare, and classify 2-D and 3- D shapes; compare and analyze attributes; recognize similar figures.
  • – Identify types of angles; describe and draw intersecting, parallel, and perpendicular lines.
  • – Use ordered pairs to graph, locate, identify points, and describe paths.
  • – Determine congruence using transformations; identify and describe line symmetry.

MEASUREMENT

  • – Describe and measure attributes of length, area, weight, and volume; find area and perimeter.
  • – Carry out simple measurement conversions.
  • – Tell time to nearest minute; compute elapsed time

DATA ANALYSIS, PROBABILITY, & STATISTICS

  • – Collect, organize, and display data in lists, tables, and graphs; draw conclusions and make predictions.
  • – Represent possible outcomes for simple probability; classify outcomes; find combinations of objects from three sets.

Sample Activities

  • Appoint a Family Mathematician: Now that your child is very capable in her math skills, take advantage of the opportunities in which she can help solve math problems you encounter in everyday life. For example, ask her to figure how much change you will receive, what measurements you need for carpeting a room or how much of an ingredient you need when you are doubling or tripling a recipe. Make your child the family mathematician!
  •  Create Math Riddles: Make up your own math riddles for each other, in which you provide set guidelines and ask each other to find the final number, (as explained above). For example: “Start at 36. Subtract 4, divide by 7 and add 6. What number are you left with?” You can do this for your child and your child can do this for you! Change things up a bit and give your child a number to end up with and ask him to create a riddle with at least three steps, and use different operations, that would leave you with this number.
  • Make Predications: Give your child (and have your child give you) difficult math equations. Ask each other to predict your answers using estimation and then explain how you developed this predication. Then solve the problems and see whose prediction is closer to the correct answer. Do this for a few problems and keep score!
  • Make a Multiples and Factors Treasure Hunt: Write numbers on small cards and hide them around the house. Ask your child to find all the factors or multiples of a certain number. Be sure to include some numbers that are not multiples and factors; when your child finds those, she should leave them where they are! 


Science

  • – Conducts experiments using the scientific method:
    1. Observes and Researches
    2. Develops a Hypothesis (based on observations and research)
    3. Makes Predictions
    4. Experiments
    5. Develops a Conclusion
  • – Develops further questions to research and experiment with based on previously done experiments and previously realized conclusions.
  • – Writes about and orally presents the findings and conclusion of an experiment.
  • – Researches and takes notes on information on a variety of topics using texts and computers.
  • – Collects and uses data to support experiments and what he learns.
  • – Experiments with diverse types of materials and different matter such as solid, liquids, and gas.
  • – Able to work independently, in partnerships, and in small groups to conduct experiments and create projects.

EARTH SCIENCE:

  • – Differentiate between weather and climate.
  • – Describe how temperature, moisture, wind speed and direction, and precipitation impact weather; distinguish among various forms of precipitation; describe how global patterns influence weather.
  • – Describe the water cycle.

LIFE SCIENCE:

  • – Classify organisms into kingdoms; classify plants and animals according to physical characteristics.
  • – Give examples of inherited characteristics that may change as adaptations to changes in the environment enable organisms to survive; recognize and describe instinctive and learned behaviors of animals.

PHYSICAL SCIENCE:

  • – Identify the states of matter; compare and contrast solids, liquids, and gases based on their properties.
  • – Identify magnetism and electricity as basic forms of energy.
  • – Identify the parts of an electrical circuit; make and test a parallel and series circuit; classify materials as conductors or insulators.
  • – Describe the properties of magnets and magnetic fields; classify objects as attracted by or not attracted by magnets.

ENGINEERING/TECHNOLOGY 

  • – Identify appropriate units and tools to construct a given prototype; identify design features

Sample Activities

  • Experiment: Find something that interests your child, such as, the weather, plants, a garden you may be growing, sound or motion. Work with your child to use the scientific method as described above to learn about and experiment with this project. Record each step, beginning with research and ending with the conclusion. You can also do more experiments based on questions or observations that come from your experiment.
  • Hypothesize: Before doing something, such as adding one liquid to another or putting something in the water, ask your child to hypothesize what she thinks will happen. Ask her to explain why she thinks this.
  • Take a Hike: Visit a local park or hiking site and encourage your child to make observations, describe what she notices and ask questions. Pay particular attention to the natural objects you find such as rock formations and plants and use these observations for further research.
  • Learn How Something Works: Choose a technology or machine with your child and research both with books and information online, how that object works. Then create a model, diagram or video of how that object works. 


Social Studies

  • – Studies and uses maps to gain a deeper understanding of geography and how geography affects a community.
  • – Describe the major land formations, bodies of water, and aspects of physical geography found in the
    regions of the United States
  • – Use the Five Themes of Geography to identify and discuss the political and physical geography of North America
  • – Researches, organizes and presents his research on various topics, events and figures.
  • – Discusses topics focusing on explaining his opinion using specific details, facts and reasons to support his opinion.
  • – Writes essays which state an opinion and includes supporting facts for that opinion.
  • – Reads primary and secondary sources about different events, people and topics.
  • – Uses technology to research both past and current events and topics. 
  • – Deepens his understanding of government and civic responsibility.
  • – Deepens his understanding of basic economic principles and how one’s community effects his or her economy and business.
  • – Uses and creates multiple types of sources including art, film, poetry and fiction to learn and show what he has learned about historical events and social studies topics.
  • – Understands different concepts such as cause and effect in order to explain and learn why things happen or happened.
  • – Compares different events and retellings of the same event.
  • – Discusses American holidays and important days and events as they approach.
  • – Identify and discuss the rights of immigrants who come to the United States
  • – Identify and discuss the value of natural resources and how they play a role in the economy of the United States
  • – Describe the geography and history of at least one other country in the world.

Sample Activities

  • Stay Current: Encourage your child to read news magazines for kids, such as Scholastic Kids. Ask them and talk to them about current events. Encourage them to share their opinion and ideas about the events.
  • Imagine That: Help your child see things from different perspectives. Read or learn about a moment, adult or child in history and talk about how your child would feel if he were in their shoes. Your child can even dress up as the figure or a person living during that time and act out how he felt.
  • Compare Perspectives: Your child can interview a person who lived during an important historical or current event. Then read about the moment in a secondary source and compare the two perspectives.
  • Watch, Read and Listen: Compare various sources (books, movies, art, songs, poems) about an event and talk about how they treat one topic or moment differently.
  • Visit Historical Places: Visit both local and national historical landmarks.  Local landmarks are particularly important as they will help your child relate to events which occurred near to his own home. 


5th Grade


English/Reading/Writing

  • – Apply language study to understand conventions: origin and meaning of common and foreign words
  • – Begins to use direct quotes from texts to explain and prove ideas about the text.
  • – Reads a variety of genres of text including: fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama.
  • – Uses details from the text to: summarize the text, identity the main idea or theme of a text, compare characters or events in a text or compare different texts of the same genre (for example, two fantasy texts).
  • – Respond to literature through writing
  • – Interprets, understands and uses metaphors, comparisons and other types of figurative language (simile, alliteration, hyperbole)
  • – Demonstrate an understanding of figures of speech
  • – Demonstrate an understanding of idioms
  • – Demonstrate an understanding of synonyms/ antonyms/homonyms
  • – Demonstrate an understanding of root words, affixes, and derivatives
  • – Identifies an author or narrator’s point of view and explain how this affects the content of a text.
  • – Compares multiple perspectives on the same event, idea, or theme.
  • – Uses the context of a text to determine the meaning of unknown words.
  • – Uses technology and digital media to further understanding of a topic and find the answers to questions.
  • – Gathers information from multiple sources about one topic.
  • – Applies appropriate usage/grammar
  • – Demonstrate an understanding of verb tense
  • – Continues to develop a greater knowledge of parts of speech
  • – Writes opinion pieces which include:
    • 1. An introduction and conclusion 
      2. A logical and clear structure 
      3. Reasons, proofs and ideas that support the author’s opinion.
  • – Writes informational pieces which:
    • 1. Explain a topic using specific details such as definitions, quotations and facts
      2. Include an introduction and conclusion.
  • – Writes narrative pieces which:
    • 1. Introduce and describe an event in a logical ordered way
      2. Use details such as dialogue, thoughts and emotions
      3. Include a conclusion.
  • – Plans, revises, and edits his writing.
  • – Thinks about the best way to approach his writing and tries diverse ways to do so. For example, writes in a different tense, or from a different perspective such as 1st or 3rd person.
  • – Uses technology (under adult guidance) to publish writing, research and communicate with others.
  • – Types at least two pages of text within one sitting.
  • – Uses multiple sources to write and create a research project.
  • – Takes notes on information and cites the sources used.
  • – Writes over a range of times including long (over weeks) and short (one sitting, or a day or two) periods of time.
  • – Develop oral language through presenting

Sample Activities

  • Start a Book Club: Form a book club with family members, your child’s friends and their parents, or just the two of you.  Select a book together and establish small reading assignments, (for example one or two chapters at a time). Choose a specific “meeting” time, and place such as a weekly trip to a local café or park or just chat over some snacks at home, discussing the book. Be sure to focus on talking about your ideas and themes in the book, using concrete examples from the book and the other skills mentioned above. After you finish one book, pick another book by the same author, about a similar topic or in the same genre and compare them.
  • Compare Perspectives: Read about an event you and your child attended, or write your own accounts of an event you shared. Read the two pieces and then compare the differences between them the perspectives from which they were written.
  • Read and Research: Help your child come up with a question about a topic of interest. Then work together to read a variety of sources to find the answer. Use technology (under your guidance) as well as magazines, newspapers, and if relevant poetry and fiction to find the answer.
  • Vary your Reading: Read different genres of texts with your child. For example, pick a poem or play and read it together and talk about the ideas perspectives and themes of it. Read two poems about one topic and compare them.
  • Practice Typing: There are a variety of ways your child can practice his typing. He can play typing games, he can type something you or he has written or he can type out a conversation you have together.
  • Revise Someone Else’s Work: Practice revising pieces of writing.  You and your child can both write your own pieces or your child can choose another short piece of writing from another source. Your child can then “revise” that piece, trying to improve it by adding more detail and descriptions.
  • Pick a New Perspective: Use either a piece you or your child wrote or pick a piece of text written by someone else such as a short story or article. Ask your child to re-write the piece from a different perspective such as another character or person in the story or a person who witnessed an event. Talk to your child about the difference in perspectives.
  • Become Investigators: Pick an event or moment such as a family meal, preparations in the morning or a car ride. Ask your child to silently observe the scene and take detailed notes on what he observes, writing down things that were said, and things people did. Your child can then read back his notes to everyone who was at the event. You can take this even further and by asking your child to develop ideas about the event that he observed, (for example, “Getting ready in the morning is a very hectic time in our family. Maybe we should all wake up earlier or have assigned jobs.”) and use proofs to support this idea. 


Math

  • – Uses addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to solve word problems.
  • – Adds, subtracts, multiplies and divides multi-digit numbers.
  • – Practices using parenthesis and brackets in equations, knowing the proper order to use to solve the equations.
  • – Writes, adds, subtracts, multiplies, compares and rounds decimals.
  • – Solves division equations which include remainders, and divides numbers that have up to 4 digits by numbers that have up to 2 digits.
  • – Adds, subtracts, multiplies and divides fractions with different denominators.
  • – Plots fractions in the correct order on a line graph.
  • – Solves word problems which measure distance, time, size, money, area, perimeter and volume and uses whole numbers, fractions and decimals.
  • – Estimates and predicts answers to word problems and equations based on knowledgeable guesses.
  • – Understands the relationship between different units of measurement and is able to convert one unit to another (for example, centimeters to inches).
  • – Plots coordinates on graphs and compares their distance and positions.
  • – Follows a pattern or set of guidelines to create a number. For example: start with 5. Add 3, 5 times and subtract 1. What number are you left with? Students then do the same with another set of guidelines and understand and explain the connections between the two patterns.
  • – Knows the qualities and different categories of 2-dimensional shapes.

NUMBER SENSE & OPERATIONS

  • – Represent, rename, order, and compare large numbers through millions and small numbers through thousandths; use expanded notation; identify place value; use powers of ten.
  • – Add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers.
  • – Identify, compare, and order fractions, decimals, and per- cents; find common equivalences; add and subtract fractions, decimals, and percents.
  • – Apply number theory (factors, multiples, divisibility).
  • – Apply Order of operations.

PATTERNS, RELATIONS & ALGEBRA

  • – Analyze, extend, and determine rules for numeric and geometric patters.
  • – Evaluate and simplify expressions with variables; apply properties of equality.
  • – Solve problems involving proportional relationships.

GEOMETRY

  • – Identify, describe, and compare special types of triangles and 3-D shapes; relate points and lines.
  • – Use ordered pairs.
  • – Transform 2-D shapes; identify lines of symmetry.
  • – Determine congruence of triangles and quadrilaterals.

MEASUREMENT

  • – Solve problems using area, perimeter, volume, and surface area (rectangular prisms).
  • – Identify, measure, describe, classify and draw various angles; find sum of interior angles in triangles.

DATA ANALYSIS, PROBABILITY, & STATISTICS

  • – Find mean, median, mode, range, maximum, and mini- mum.
  • – Construct and interpret line plots a line, circle, and bar graphs.
  • – Predict outcomes of simple probability problems.

Sample Activities

  • Change Your Order: Ask your child to solve equations that includes a necessary order using parenthesis. Then take the same set of numbers, written in the same order but change the equation by asking your child to put the parenthesis in different place and group sets of numbers in different ways. After your child has solved this equation, compare the answers and difference between the two. Your child can also give you equations like these to solve.
  • Become Math Consultants: Ask family members and friends for “math problems” they have needed to need to solve in everyday life. Ask your child to solve these problems for them. Your child can also become the math consultant for this person in the future. If they have a real-life situation in which they need to solve a math problem, they should consult your child!
  • Create a Group Graph: Make a life-size graph (with a horizontal and vertical axis) by putting tape or strips of paper down on the floor, or use sticks, or make a mark in dirt and sand outside. Plot the numbers on the graph using cards with numbers written on them or write them out on the tape or paper. Assign different family members or friends a pair of coordinates. Everyone should then “plot” themselves and move to the correct place on the graph. Take turns calling out different coordinate pairs for a person to move to.
  • Quick Check: Since your child should be able to solve equations with ease, give them a variety of multiplication and division equations which use multi-digit numbers and see how many she can solve within a certain amount of time (for example, 4 minutes).  Repeat this at another time to see if she can break her previous record.


Science

  • – Conducts experiments using the scientific method:
    • 1. Observes and researches
    • 2. Develops a hypothesis (based on observations and research)
    • 3. Make a predictions
    • 4. Experiments
    • 5. Develops a conclusion
  • – Develops further questions to research and experiment with based on previously done experiments and previously realized conclusions.
  • – Develops and explains ideas based on investigations and experiments and uses specific reasons and proofs to explain her reasoning.
  • – Writes about and orally presents the findings and conclusion of an experiment.
  • – Researches and takes notes on information on a variety of topics using texts and computers.
  • – Collects and uses data to support experiments and what she learns.
  • – Experiments with different types of materials and different matter such as solid, liquids, and gas to observe different types of physical and chemical changes.
  • – Works independently, in partnerships, in small groups and as a class to conduct experiments and create projects.
  • – Studies and creates models of systems and objects to further explore and show an understanding of the scientific concepts learned.

EARTH SCIENCE:

  • – Classify minerals by their physical properties.
  • – Identify the three categories of rocks; explain how rocks are formed and change over time.
  • – Describe ways in which soil is formed; identify different properties of soil.
  • – Describe changes in the earth’s surface due to weathering, erosion, volcanoes, earthquakes, etc.
  • – Differentiate between the sun, stars, and planets; identify and describe constellations, comets, and meteors; under- stand the effect of earth’s rotation and revolution on the position and movement of stars.

LIFE SCIENCE:

  • – Explain how organisms can cause changes in the environment to ensure survival and how these changes affect the ecosystem.
  • – Understand what an ecosystem is; describe relationships within an ecosystem.
  • – Explain photosynthesis.
  • – Describe the food chain

PHYSICAL SCIENCE:

  • – Identify and describe light and sound as basic forms of energy; describe light and its properties; identify sources and causes of light; describe sound and its properties; relate vibration to pitch.

ENGINEERING/TECHNOLOGY 

  • – Identify materials used to accomplish a task based on a specific property (e.g. rocks and minerals—building and electronics).
  • – Identify appropriate units and tools to construct a give prototype; identify design features.
  • – Compare and contrast simple and complex machines.

Sample Activities

  • Prove It!: When your child asks a question about a scientific concept or when someone says something about a scientific concept, see if you and your child can prove it. Conduct an experiment using the scientific method and see if the result of your experiment answers your question or supports the fact stated.
  • Make Matter Matter: When you encounter matter that changes in everyday life, point it out and talk to your child about it. For example, when you are cooking ask your child why bubbling water boils and talk about the reason together. Try boiling other things to see what happens to them and compare the differences and similarities.
  • Make a Model: After choosing or assigning a specific science topic (currently being studied), have your child make a model of a related object. For example, if your child is learning about human cells use crafts objects, clay, or even different foods to make a model of a cell and its parts. You can also make a model of a system such as machine or the digestive system.
  • Look for Real-Life Science: These days, so much progress is happening in science.  Read articles with your child about scientific topics and progress made in the world and talk about the articles as well as the effects this progress may have. If possible, your child can do further research on a topic which is particularly interesting to her. 


Social Studies

  • – Writes about what he learns through a traditional essay format.
  • – Uses primary resources and different types of media such as film and art to learn about a historical event.
  • – Learns about historical events through the context of geography and where the events occurred and how the geography affected different events.
  • – Researches, organizes and presents his research on assorted topics, events and figures.
  • – Discusses topics focusing on explaining his opinion using specific details, facts and reasons to support his opinion.
  • – Uses technology to research both past and current events and topics. 
  • – Deepens his understanding of government and civic responsibility.
  • – Compare and contrast the pre-Columbian civilizations of the New World
  • – Describe the European colonization of the Americas
  • – Using appropriate maps, explain the influence that geography had on who settled North America and where they settled
  • – Discuss the causes and consequences of the English Colonization of North America
  • – Compare and contrast the founding and development of the first 13 colonies
  • – Identify and describe the social, political, and economic factors which led to the development of a quest by the English Colonies for Independence
  • – Discuss the role of each colony in the War for Independence

Sample Activities

  • Learn your Community’s History: Help your child research what the place you lived in used to be like during a time they are studying. Look online and visit the local library to find this information. You may even be able to find old pictures or information on either your house or the land on which you live. Learn the history of where you live. Compare the differences between your past and present community.
  • Find Historical Artifacts: Visit museums, libraries or even relatives or friends’ homes to find objects from the early 20th century that may have been used during the time your child studies.
  • Interview Historical Figures: Since your 5th grader may study modern history from the 20th century, it is very likely you may know someone who experienced a historical event. Your child can interview this person and then write about or create a TV show about the person she interviews. This can be particularly meaningful for your child if the person she interviews is in your family and shares your family history with her.
  • Map it Out: Find a place nearby that has historical significance. Visit that place with a map and trace out the even on the map. If you are unable to go somewhere use an online resource and map out where an important historical event your child learned about occurred. Trace a journey or trip from history.