This parent guide supports parents in helping their child at home with the 5th grade Social Studies content.

This resource accompanies our Rethink 5th Grade Social Studies course. It includes ideas for use, ways to support exceptional children, ways to extend learning, digital resources and tools, tips for supporting English Language Learners and students with visual and hearing impairments. There are also ideas for offline learning. 

Students assume the roles of detectives as they investigate the occurrences during the Salem Witch Trials. They also assume the roles of lawyers and explore the principles of American democracy through the documents and laws that are meant to protect citizens from such unjust treatment in modern history.

This lesson deals with events that led to the creation of a new type of government in the United States changing from the Articles of Confederation to the designing, writing, and ratification of the United States Constitution. These events created a government that had never been tried before.

Students can review the original Constitution of North Carolina which was created prior to the American Revolutionary War.

In this activity, students will analyze the letter Grace Bedell wrote to President Abraham Lincoln, then write and send their own letters to the president of the United States.

Students can read transcripts from the debate about the raitification of the United States Constitution by people in North Carolina.

In this lesson students will participate in an election. They will be asked to vote for one of four candidates wihtout knowing who they are or what they stand for. After the election, students will learn who the candidates were. This lesson is designed to help students understand that the security of freedom and individual rights in a democratic society depends upon a citizenry that remains informed.

Students will explore the Revolutionary period through the choices made by the Second Continental Congress. Students will participate in an activity in which they assume the role of a Congressional member in the year 1775 and devise a plan for America after the onset of war.

This lesson deals with events that led to the creation of a new type of government in the United States changing from the Articles of Confederation to the designing, writing, and ratification of the United States Constitution. These events created a government that had never been tried before.

In this resource, students can learn more about America’s transition from colony to country through short videos, mini-activities, and practice questions in this segment of Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship. The eight questions included in this segment cover topics such as the Declaration of Independence, the War of Independence, and George Washington. This site was designed with the needs of recent immigrants in mind. It is written at a “low-intermediate” ESL level.

This lesson is about important events and people that were part of the beginning of the United States, such as George Washington, the writing of the Declaration of Independence, and the War of Independence. Students will learn about George Washington as a symbol of American independence and freedom.

This Teacher Guide identifies the Civics Test questions covered in the theme, Establishing Independence. It also provides the instructional steps to familiarize teachers with the elements and navigation of the Preparing for the Oath - Establishing Independence student interactive so that they can be comfortable presenting it to their class.

In this resource, students can explore the civic responsibilities of Americans through short videos, mini-activities, and practice questions in this segment of Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship. The four questions included in this segment cover taxes, selective service, jury duty, and the Naturalization Oath. This site was designed with the needs of recent immigrants in mind. It is written at a “low-intermediate” ESL level.

This lesson is about the responsibilities of United States citizens. Students will also analyze the Naturalization Oath.

This Teacher Guide identifies the Civics Test questions covered in the theme, Responsibilities. It also provides the instructional steps to familiarize teachers with the elements and navigation of the Preparing for the Oath - Responsibilities student interactive so that they can be comfortable presenting it to their class.

This course was created by the Rethink Education Content Development Team. This course is aligned to the NC Standards for 5th Grade Social Studies. 

This course was created by the Rethink Education Content Development Team. This course is aligned to the NC Standards for 5th Grade Social Studies.

Explore 14,000 years of history from the NC Museum of History' exhibit, The Story of North Carolina in 360°—one gallery at a time. Designed with the student experience in mind, each tour features artifacts, photos, & videos.

This lesson is the first in a thematic unit on elections. This lesson is on pages 1-6 of the PDF. Students will understand the three branches of government and summarize their organizational structures.