Communities, Maps & American Stories

The big picture

Today we learn about the community. A community is a group of people who live or work in the same place, like your neighborhood or town. This matters because you are part of many communities every single day.

What is a community?

A community is a group of people who share a place and help each other. It is not the buildings. It is the people.

Think about your street. The people on it are a community. They wave hello. They help carry things. They keep the street clean.

Here are some communities you may know:

• Your family at home.
• Your class and school.
• Your neighborhood.
• Your town or city.

Key idea: A community is people who share a place and help each other.

You belong to many communities

Here is a happy secret. You are part of more than one community at the same time. You do not have to pick just one.

Maya is a good example. She is in her family. She is in her class. She is on a soccer team. She lives on a friendly street. That is four communities at once!

When you join a team, a club, or a music class, you make a new community too.

Key idea: You can belong to many communities at the same time.

A neighborhood is close to home

A neighborhood is the homes and people that are near where you live. The people who live near you are your neighbors.

Good neighbors are kind. They might share tools. They might watch out for your dog. They might help an older neighbor carry food up the stairs.

Key idea: A neighborhood is the homes and people close to yours.

City, suburb, and country

Communities can look very different. Let us picture three of them.

A city is a large, busy community with many people and tall buildings. Homes are close together. There are buses, trains, and lots of traffic. You can walk to a store or a park.

A suburb is a quieter area of houses near a city. It has more yards and more grass. Many people drive into the city for work.

A rural place is out in the country. It has farms, fields, and lots of open space. Homes can be far apart. You might see cows, tractors, and barns.

All three are communities. One is not better than another. They are just different ways that people live near each other.

Key idea: Cities, suburbs, and rural areas are all communities, just different kinds.

People helping people

The best part of a community is that people help each other. When each person does one job well, everyone is better off.

Look at all the helpers around you:

• A doctor helps you when you are sick.
• A farmer grows the food you eat.
• A firefighter keeps you safe.
• A crossing guard helps you cross the street.
• A teacher helps you learn.

You can help too. You can be kind. You can follow the rules. You can share. Nobody has to do everything alone. That is why living together is so good.

Key idea: A community works best when everyone helps in some way.

One street on a Saturday

Picture one small street on a Saturday morning. Watch the helpers:

1. Mr. Lee waters the flowers in the shared garden, so the street looks happy.
2. Mrs. Ortega walks the dog for Mr. Lee because his knee hurts.
3. Sam carries food up the stairs for an older neighbor.
4. Two children pick up litter, so the sidewalk is clean.

No one person did every job. Each person did one thing. Together, the whole street was cared for.

Key idea: Many small acts of help add up to a caring community.

Draw your community circles

Here is an activity you can do with a pencil and one sheet of paper.

1. Draw a small circle in the middle and write your name in it.
2. Around it, draw a bigger circle. Write the name of your family in there.
3. Draw a bigger circle around that one. Write your class or your school.
4. Draw one more. Write your town or city.
5. One last circle for your country.

Now look at your drawing. Every one of those circles is a community you belong to, and you are in all of them at once.

Add some extras off to the side if they fit you: a sports team, a club, a place of worship, a neighborhood of cousins. Communities do not always fit in neat rings.

Key idea: Your communities fit inside one another, from your family out to your whole country.

Meet a community helper

Every community runs on people doing jobs that help everyone else. Try interviewing one.

With a grown-up along, talk with someone like a librarian, a mail carrier, a crossing guard, a shop worker, or a bus driver. Ask three questions.

• What do you do in a normal day?
• What is the best part of your job?
• How does your work help people in this community?

Write down what they say. You will often be surprised. A librarian does far more than shelve books, and a bus driver has to know a hundred streets by heart.

Afterward, say thank you. That small moment is itself a way of helping your community.

Key idea: Asking helpers about their work shows you how a community really runs.

Watch out for

• A community is not the buildings. If everyone moved away, the buildings would stay, but the community would be gone. The people make it a community.
• You do not belong to only one community. You belong to many at the same time.
• A big city is not better than a small farm town. They are just different.
• Thinking only grown-ups can help. Kids help their communities every day.
• Helping does not have to be big. Even a wave or picking up litter counts.

Recap

• A community is people who share a place and help each other.
• You belong to many communities, like family, school, and a team.
• Your communities fit inside one another, like circles.
• A neighborhood is the homes and people near you.
• Cities, suburbs, and rural areas are all kinds of communities.
• A community works best when everyone helps a little.

Sources

1. National Council for the Social Studies. (2013). College, career, and civic life (C3) framework for social studies state standards. NCSS. socialstudies.org
2. Library of Congress. (n.d.). Classroom materials. Teachers. loc.gov
3. National Geographic Society. (n.d.). Map. National Geographic Education Resource Library. education.nationalgeographic.org
4. U.S. Census Bureau. (n.d.). Statistics in schools. U.S. Census Bureau. census.gov
5. Smithsonian Institution. (n.d.). For educators. Smithsonian Learning Lab. si.edu
6. National Park Service. (n.d.). Teachers. NPS Education. U.S. Department of the Interior. nps.gov
7. U.S. Government Publishing Office. (n.d.). Ben's guide to the U.S. government. GPO. bensguide.gpo.gov

The big picture

Today we learn about needs and wants. A need is something you must have to live. A want is something that is nice to have. This helps you make smart choices about money and time.

Needs: things we must have

A need is something a person must have to live and stay healthy and safe. Everyone shares the same basic needs, no matter who they are.

• Food gives our bodies energy.
• Water keeps us alive.
• Shelter, like a house, keeps us warm and dry. Shelter is a safe place to live.
• Clothing protects our bodies from cold, sun, and rain.

Love, care, and safety are needs too, even though you cannot buy them in a store.

A good test for a need is to ask: could a person stay alive and healthy without this? If the answer is no, it is a need.

Key idea: A need is something you must have to live, like food, water, shelter, and clothing.

Wants: things that are nice to have

A want is something we would like to have but do not need to live. Wants make life more fun.

Toys, video games, candy, a new bike, and a trip to the movies are all wants. We can be happy and healthy without them.

Wants are not bad. It is fine to enjoy them. But it helps to know they are different from needs.

A good test for a want is to ask: would I still be safe and healthy without this, even if I felt a little sad? If yes, it is a want.

Key idea: A want is something nice to have, but you do not need it to live.

Sometimes it depends

Here is a tricky part. Some things have a need part and a want part.

Food is a need. But a fancy birthday cake is a want, because you do not need cake to live.

A coat is a need when it is freezing. But a coat covered in sparkles that costs a lot more has a want part added on.

So a smart thinker asks: what part of this is the need, and what part is the extra want? You need shoes, but light-up rocket shoes are a want on top.

Key idea: Some things are a need and a want at the same time, so look at each part.

Making choices: needs come first

We cannot always have everything we want. Money and time are limited. There is only so much to go around.

Grown-ups call this idea scarcity. Scarcity means there is not enough for everything, so we have to choose.

So people make a choice. A choice is picking one thing when you cannot have them all. If you had five dollars, you might have to pick a small toy or a treat, not both.

When you choose one thing, you give up another. Filling your needs first, then picking your favorite wants, is a smart way to spend.

Key idea: Because we cannot have everything, we choose, and needs come first.

Saving up for a bigger want

Here is a money secret you can use even as a kid. If you want something big, you can save for it. Saving means keeping some money instead of spending it all right away.

Imagine you get one dollar each week, and you want a toy that costs five dollars. If you spend your dollar on candy every week, you never reach five.

But if you save your dollar each week, then after five weeks you have enough. Saving takes patience, but it lets you reach bigger wants.

Key idea: Saving a little at a time helps you reach a bigger want.

Needs and wants for a whole town

Needs and wants are not just about one person. A whole town thinks about them too.

A town needs safe roads, clean water, and firefighters. It takes care of those first.

A town might also want a fancy new fountain or a giant statue. Those would be nice, but they are wants, not needs.

Just like you, a town has only so much money. Its leaders must choose needs first, then decide which wants they can afford.

Key idea: A town also puts its needs first before spending on wants.

Sort these ten

Say need or want for each one. Some are trickier than they look.

• Drinking water. Need.
• A video game. Want.
• A warm coat in winter. Need.
• A coat with your favorite team on it. The coat is a need, the team logo is a want.
• Medicine when you are sick. Need.
• Ice cream. Want.
• A place to sleep. Need.
• Your own bedroom. Want. Many people share rooms and are perfectly fine.
• Fruits and vegetables. Need, because your body needs food.
• Fruit snacks shaped like dinosaurs. Want.

Did you notice the pattern? Often the plain version is a need and the fancy version is a want. That is not a bad thing. It is just useful to know which part is which when you are choosing.

Key idea: Many things are a plain need with a want wrapped around it.

Watch out for

• A want is not the same as a need, even when you really, really want it.
• Wants are not bad. It is fine to enjoy them after your needs are met.
• Some things, like food or a coat, can have both a need part and a want part.
• Thinking having fewer wants makes someone less happy. It often means more choices later.
• You cannot buy every want at once, so you choose. Choosing means giving something up.

Recap

• A need is something you must have to live, like food, water, shelter, and clothing.
• A want is something nice to have but not needed to live.
• Many things are a plain need with a want wrapped around it.
• Because there is not enough for everything, we make choices.
• Needs come first, then wants.
• Saving a little at a time helps you reach a bigger want.

Sources

1. National Council for the Social Studies. (2013). College, career, and civic life (C3) framework for social studies state standards. NCSS. socialstudies.org
2. Federal Reserve Education. (n.d.). Economics and personal finance resources. Federal Reserve Education. federalreserveeducation.org
3. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. (n.d.). U.S. currency. U.S. Department of the Treasury. moneyfactory.gov
4. U.S. Census Bureau. (n.d.). Statistics in schools. U.S. Census Bureau. census.gov
5. Library of Congress. (n.d.). Classroom materials. Teachers. loc.gov
6. Smithsonian Institution. (n.d.). For educators. Smithsonian Learning Lab. si.edu
7. U.S. Government Publishing Office. (n.d.). Ben's guide to the U.S. government. GPO. bensguide.gpo.gov

The big picture

Today we learn about jobs, goods, and services. People do jobs to make things and to help others. This is how a community gets everything it needs.

What is a job?

A job is the work a person does, often to earn money. Grown-ups have jobs so they can pay for their needs and wants.

There are so many kinds of jobs. A baker bakes bread. A nurse cares for sick people. A bus driver drives the bus. A farmer grows food.

Every job helps the community in some way. When people do their jobs, life works better for everyone.

Key idea: A job is the work a person does to help others and earn money.

Goods: things you can touch

Goods are things people make or grow that you can touch and hold. You can pick them up and take them home.

Here are some goods:

• An apple grown by a farmer.
• A loaf of bread baked by a baker.
• A pair of shoes made in a factory.
• A book, a toy, a chair, or a cup.

If you can hold it in your hands, it is probably a good.

Key idea: Goods are things you can touch, like food, toys, and shoes.

Services: help that people do for you

A service is helpful work one person does for another. You cannot hold a service in your hands, but it still helps you.

Here are some services:

• A doctor checks your health.
• A teacher helps you learn.
• A barber cuts your hair.
• A firefighter puts out fires.
• A mail carrier brings your letters.

A service is something a person does, not something you take home in a bag.

Key idea: A service is helpful work someone does for you, like teaching or cutting hair.

Goods or service? A quick game

Let us practice. Ask yourself: can I hold it? If yes, it is a good. If it is help someone does, it is a service.

1. A haircut is a service. You cannot hold a haircut.
2. A sandwich is a good. You can hold and eat it.
3. A doctor visit is a service.
4. A pair of socks is a good.

Key idea: If you can hold it, it is a good. If it is help, it is a service.

Producers and consumers

When someone makes goods or does a service, we call that person a producer. A producer makes or grows things or helps people.

When someone uses or buys those goods and services, we call that person a consumer. A consumer uses what producers make.

You are both! When you draw a picture, you are a producer. When you eat lunch, you are a consumer.

Key idea: A producer makes things, and a consumer uses them.

How jobs work together

Jobs fit together like puzzle pieces. Think about one loaf of bread.

1. A farmer grows the wheat.
2. A truck driver brings the wheat to a mill.
3. A worker at the mill turns it into flour.
4. A baker turns the flour into bread.
5. A store worker sells the bread to your family.

So many people helped make one loaf of bread! No one did it alone. That is how a community works.

Key idea: Many jobs work together to make the things we use every day.

Follow one pencil

Pick up a pencil. It looks simple, but no single person made it. Follow it backward and count the workers.

1. Someone grew and cut down a tree for the wood.
2. A truck driver hauled the logs to a mill.
3. Mill workers cut the wood into thin slats.
4. Miners dug up graphite for the writing part, far away in another place.
5. Factory workers glued it all together and painted it.
6. Another driver brought boxes of pencils to a store.
7. A store worker put it on a shelf and sold it to you.

That is at least seven people, and probably many more, for one small pencil.

Notice something. Some of them made goods, like the slats and the finished pencil. Others gave services, like driving and selling. Both were needed.

Try the same walk backward with something else on your table, like a cup or a sock.

Key idea: Even the simplest object took many workers, making goods and giving services.

Good or service?

Say good or service for each one. Then check.

• A loaf of bread. Good.
• A dentist cleaning your teeth. Service.
• A pair of sneakers. Good.
• A firefighter putting out a fire. Service.
• A bus ride to school. Service. You do not keep the bus.
• A book from the store. Good.
• A librarian helping you find a book. Service.
• A birthday cake. Good.
• Someone teaching you to swim. Service.

Here is the test that always works. When it is finished, can you hold something in your hands? If yes, it was a good. If not, it was a service.

Key idea: If you can hold it afterward it was a good, and if not it was a service.

Watch out for

• A good is something you can touch. A service is help someone does. They are not the same.
• A haircut, a lesson, and a doctor visit are services, even though you paid money for them.
• You can be a producer and a consumer on the same day.
• Thinking one person makes a whole product. Almost everything takes many workers.
• Not every job makes goods. Many jobs are services that help people.

Recap

• A job is the work a person does to help others and earn money.
• Goods are things you can touch, like food and toys.
• Services are helpful work people do, like teaching and cutting hair.
• A producer makes things, and a consumer uses them.
• Even a pencil takes many workers doing many different jobs.
• Many jobs work together to make the things we use.

Sources

1. National Council for the Social Studies. (2013). College, career, and civic life (C3) framework for social studies state standards. NCSS. socialstudies.org
2. Federal Reserve Education. (n.d.). Economics and personal finance resources. Federal Reserve Education. federalreserveeducation.org
3. U.S. Census Bureau. (n.d.). Statistics in schools. U.S. Census Bureau. census.gov
4. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. (n.d.). U.S. currency. U.S. Department of the Treasury. moneyfactory.gov
5. Smithsonian Institution. (n.d.). For educators. Smithsonian Learning Lab. si.edu
6. Library of Congress. (n.d.). Classroom materials. Teachers. loc.gov
7. National Park Service. (n.d.). Teachers. NPS Education. U.S. Department of the Interior. nps.gov

The big picture

Today we learn about maps, globes, and directions. A map is a flat picture of a place from above. Maps help us find our way and understand where things are.

What is a map?

A map is a flat drawing of a place, seen from above, like a bird looking down. It shows where things are.

Think of standing on a chair and looking down at your toys on the floor. You would see them from above. A map shows a place that way.

There are maps of many things: your school, your town, your country, and the whole world.

Key idea: A map is a flat picture of a place seen from above.

What is a globe?

A globe is a small, round model of the whole Earth. It is shaped like a ball because the real Earth is round like a ball.

A globe shows the true shape of the Earth better than a flat map. On a globe you can see land and water all around.

A map is flat and easy to carry. A globe is round and shows the real shape. Both are helpful in different ways.

Key idea: A globe is a round model of the whole Earth.

The four main directions

Directions help us tell which way to go. The four main directions are north, south, east, and west.

On most maps:

• North is up, toward the top of the map.
• South is down, toward the bottom.
• East is to the right.
• West is to the left.

A fun way to remember the order going around is: Never Eat Soggy Waffles. That is North, East, South, West.

Key idea: The four main directions are north, south, east, and west.

The compass rose

Most maps have a little helper called a compass rose. A compass rose is a small drawing that shows which way is north, south, east, and west.

It often looks like a star with letters N, S, E, and W on the points. When you look at a new map, find the compass rose first. It tells you which way is which.

The letter N always points north. Once you know where north is, you can find the other directions.

Key idea: A compass rose on a map shows you which way is north, south, east, and west.

A tool called a compass

There is also a real tool called a compass. A compass is a small tool with a needle that always points north.

Long ago, sailors and explorers used a compass to find their way across the ocean when there were no roads or signs. Even today, hikers use one.

The compass rose on a map and the compass tool both help you find north. When you know north, you can find your way.

Key idea: A compass is a tool with a needle that always points north.

Using directions to give a path

Directions help us tell someone how to get somewhere. Imagine a map of a zoo.

1. Start at the front gate.
2. Walk north to the lions.
3. Turn east to reach the monkeys.
4. Go south to find the snack stand.

See how the directions made a clear path? Anyone could follow it. That is why directions are so useful.

Key idea: Directions help us give and follow a clear path.

Map your own room

The best way to understand a map is to make one. Try mapping the room you are in.

1. Get a sheet of paper and imagine you are a bird looking straight down at the room.
2. Draw the walls first, as a big rectangle or whatever shape the room is.
3. Add the door and the windows on the correct walls.
4. Draw the big things from above: the bed as a rectangle, a round table as a circle.
5. Add a compass rose in a corner. If you do not know which way is north, ask a grown-up or check a phone.

Now the hard part. Show it to someone and ask them to point at where the door is. If they can, your map works.

Notice what you did without being told. You left out tiny things like pencils and crumbs. Every mapmaker does that. A map shows what matters and leaves out the rest.

Key idea: A map is a view from above that keeps what matters and leaves out the rest.

Give directions the map way

Words like left and right depend on which way you are facing. North, south, east, and west never change. That is why maps use them.

Practice on this made-up town. The school is in the middle. The park is north of the school. The library is east of the school. The pond is south of the park.

• To get from the school to the park, go north.
• To get from the park back to the school, go south.
• To get from the school to the library, go east.
• To get from the library back to the school, go west.
• Where is the pond? South of the park, which puts it right about where the school is.

Notice that the opposite of north is south, and the opposite of east is west. If you know how to get somewhere, you know how to get back.

Key idea: To come back, use the opposite direction of the one you went.

Watch out for

• A map is flat, but a globe is round. They both show places, just in different ways.
• North is not always the way you are facing. On a map, north is usually toward the top.
• East is to the right and west is to the left on most maps. It is easy to mix these up.
• Drawing a map from the side instead of from above.
• A compass rose is a picture on a map. A compass is a real tool you hold.

Recap

• A map is a flat picture of a place seen from above.
• A globe is a round model of the whole Earth.
• The four main directions are north, south, east, and west.
• A compass rose shows directions on a map.
• Directions never change, but left and right depend on which way you face.
• A compass is a tool with a needle that points north.

Sources

1. National Geographic Society. (n.d.). Map. National Geographic Education Resource Library. education.nationalgeographic.org
2. National Geographic Society. (n.d.). Latitude. National Geographic Education Resource Library. education.nationalgeographic.org
3. U.S. Geological Survey. (n.d.). Topographic maps. National Geospatial Program. usgs.gov
4. National Council for the Social Studies. (2013). College, career, and civic life (C3) framework for social studies state standards. NCSS. socialstudies.org
5. Library of Congress. (n.d.). Classroom materials. Teachers. loc.gov
6. Smithsonian Institution. (n.d.). For educators. Smithsonian Learning Lab. si.edu
7. National Park Service. (n.d.). Teachers. NPS Education. U.S. Department of the Interior. nps.gov

The big picture

Today we learn how to read the parts of a map. A map uses a map key and small pictures called symbols. These help a small map show a big, real place.

Symbols: little pictures on a map

A symbol is a small picture or shape on a map that stands for a real thing. A tiny picture can mean something much bigger in real life.

Here are some map symbols you might see:

• A little green triangle can stand for a tree or a forest.
• A small blue line can stand for a river.
• A tiny tent can stand for a campground.
• A little airplane can stand for an airport.

Mapmakers use symbols because they cannot fit real trees or real rivers on a piece of paper.

Key idea: A symbol is a small picture that stands for a real thing on a map.

The map key tells you what symbols mean

How do you know what each symbol means? You look at the map key. A map key is a little box on a map that tells you what each symbol stands for. It is sometimes called a legend.

The map key lists each symbol next to its meaning. For example, it might show a blue line and say river next to it.

When you get a new map, find the map key first. It is like a secret decoder that helps you read the whole map.

Key idea: A map key tells you what each symbol on the map means.

Colors have meaning too

Colors on a map are a kind of symbol. They usually follow a pattern.

• Blue usually means water, like rivers, lakes, and oceans.
• Green often means grass, parks, or forests.
• Brown can mean mountains or high ground.
• Gray or black lines often mean roads.

The map key will tell you what the colors mean on that map. Colors make a map quick and easy to read.

Key idea: Colors on a map stand for things too, and blue almost always means water.

What is scale?

A map is much smaller than the real place. Scale means a small distance on a map stands for a much bigger distance in real life.

Think about a photo of your family. Your mom is only a few inches tall in the photo, but she is much taller in real life. A map works the same way. A small map can show a whole huge city.

Scale is why a road that looks like a short line on a map might take a long time to drive in real life.

Key idea: Scale means a little space on the map stands for a big space in the real world.

The scale bar helps you measure

Many maps have a small ruler on them called a scale bar. A scale bar shows how much real distance a small length on the map equals.

For example, one inch on the map might equal one mile in real life. The scale bar tells you that, so you can guess how far apart two places really are.

Grown-ups use the scale bar to plan trips and to know how far they must travel.

Key idea: A scale bar shows how much real distance a small length on the map means.

Putting it together

Now you can read a map like a pro. When you see a new map, do these three steps:

1. Find the compass rose to see which way is north.
2. Read the map key to learn what the symbols and colors mean.
3. Check the scale bar to see how far apart places really are.

With these tools, a small piece of paper can show you a whole big place.

Key idea: Use the compass rose, the map key, and the scale bar to read any map.

Read a park map with me

Picture a park map. Its key says: green triangle means picnic area, blue wavy line means creek, small brown square means restroom, dotted line means walking trail. The scale bar says 1 centimetre equals 100 metres.

Now let me answer some questions using only the key and the scale.

• Where can we eat lunch? Find a green triangle. That is the picnic area.
• How do we get there? Follow the dotted line, because that is a walking trail.
• Will we cross water? Only if the dotted line crosses a blue wavy line.
• How far is it? Suppose the trail measures 3 centimetres on the map. Since each centimetre is 100 metres, that is 300 metres. A short walk.

Notice I never had to visit the park. The key told me what things are, and the scale told me how far. That is the whole skill.

Key idea: The key tells you what, and the scale tells you how far.

Make your own key

Go back to the map of your room from the last lesson, or draw a new map of your yard or your street.

This time, invent symbols instead of drawing real pictures.

• A small square for a chair.
• A star for your favorite spot.
• A green blob for a tree or a plant.
• A brown line for a fence or a path.

Draw a box in one corner. Inside it, draw each symbol and write what it means. That box is your key.

Now hand the map to someone without explaining anything. If they can read it using only your key, you made a good one. If they get confused, ask which symbol tricked them and fix that one.

Key idea: A good key lets someone read your map without you standing next to them.

Watch out for

• A symbol is a tiny picture. It is not the same size as the real thing.
• Do not guess what a symbol means. Check the map key to be sure.
• Blue on a map almost always means water, not something cold or sad.
• Drawing symbols but forgetting to make a key for them.
• A short line on a map can be a long trip in real life, because of scale.

Recap

• A symbol is a small picture that stands for a real thing.
• A map key tells you what each symbol means.
• Colors are symbols too, and blue usually means water.
• Scale means a small space on a map stands for a big space in real life.
• The key tells you what, and the scale tells you how far.
• A scale bar helps you measure real distances.

Sources

1. U.S. Geological Survey. (n.d.). Topographic maps. National Geospatial Program. usgs.gov
2. National Geographic Society. (n.d.). Map. National Geographic Education Resource Library. education.nationalgeographic.org
3. National Geographic Society. (n.d.). Latitude. National Geographic Education Resource Library. education.nationalgeographic.org
4. National Park Service. (n.d.). Teachers. NPS Education. U.S. Department of the Interior. nps.gov
5. Library of Congress. (n.d.). Classroom materials. Teachers. loc.gov
6. National Council for the Social Studies. (2013). College, career, and civic life (C3) framework for social studies state standards. NCSS. socialstudies.org
7. Smithsonian Institution. (n.d.). For educators. Smithsonian Learning Lab. si.edu

The big picture

Today we explore the whole Earth. We learn about the seven continents and the big oceans. This helps you see where your country sits on the planet.

Land and water on Earth

Look at a globe. You will see two main things: land and water. Most of the Earth is covered by water.

The really big pieces of land are called continents. The really big bodies of salt water are called oceans.

Together, the continents and oceans make up the surface of our whole planet.

Key idea: The Earth is made of big pieces of land, called continents, and big areas of water, called oceans.

What is a continent?

A continent is one of the seven very large areas of land on Earth. Continents are the biggest pieces of land there are.

There are seven continents. Here they are:

1. Africa
2. Antarctica
3. Asia
4. Australia
5. Europe
6. North America
7. South America

The United States is on the continent of North America. So are Canada and Mexico.

Key idea: A continent is one of the seven very large areas of land, and the United States is in North America.

A quick tour of the continents

Each continent is special. Here is one fun fact about each one.

• Asia is the biggest continent and has the most people.
• Africa has huge deserts, grasslands, and animals like lions and elephants.
• North America is where the United States is.
• South America has a giant rainforest called the Amazon.
• Antarctica is at the very bottom and is cold and covered in ice.
• Europe has many countries close together.
• Australia is the smallest continent and is also one country.

Key idea: Each of the seven continents is different and special.

What is an ocean?

An ocean is a very large body of salty water. Oceans are the biggest bodies of water on Earth, and they cover most of the planet.

There are five oceans:

1. Pacific Ocean
2. Atlantic Ocean
3. Indian Ocean
4. Southern Ocean
5. Arctic Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the biggest of all. The Atlantic Ocean is between North America and Europe.

Key idea: An ocean is a very large body of salty water, and the Pacific is the biggest.

Why oceans matter

Oceans are amazing and important. They are full of life, like fish, whales, dolphins, and tiny plants.

Oceans also help make our weather and rain. Water goes up into the sky from the ocean, makes clouds, and falls back down as rain.

People travel across oceans in big ships and airplanes. Long ago, explorers sailed the oceans to reach faraway lands.

Key idea: Oceans are full of life and help make our weather.

Finding your place on Earth

Let us zoom out to see where you are. This is like the nesting cups idea, from small to big.

1. You live in a town or city.
2. Your town is inside a state.
3. Your state is inside a country, the United States.
4. Your country is on the continent of North America.
5. North America is on the planet Earth, with its oceans and other continents.

Now you can find your place on the whole Earth!

Key idea: Your town is in a state, in a country, on a continent, on planet Earth.

One fact for each continent

Here is a memory hook for each one. Say them out loud while you point at a globe or a world map.

• Africa has the longest river, the Nile, and the huge Sahara Desert.
• Antarctica is covered in thick ice and has no towns. Scientists visit to study it.
• Asia is the biggest continent and has the most people. Mount Everest is there.
• Australia is the smallest continent, and it is also a country. Kangaroos live there.
• Europe is small but crowded, with many countries close together.
• North America is where the United States, Canada, and Mexico are.
• South America has the Amazon rainforest and the long Andes mountains.

Here is a saying that helps some people remember all seven: A A A A E N S. Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South America. That is alphabetical order, which makes it easier to check that you did not miss one.

Key idea: Listing the seven continents alphabetically helps you check that you got them all.

Write your whole address

Try writing your address the long way, from smallest to biggest. Here is an example.

• My room
• My house on my street
• My town or city
• My state or region
• My country
• My continent
• Planet Earth

Now write your own version. Each line is bigger than the one above it, and every line is still true at the same time.

This is a real geography skill. Grown-up geographers do the same thing when they zoom out from a street map to a world map.

Key idea: Your place on Earth fits inside bigger and bigger places, all at once.

The five oceans

The five oceans are the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Indian, the Southern, and the Arctic.

• The Pacific is by far the biggest and deepest.
• The Atlantic sits between the Americas and Europe and Africa.
• The Indian is warm and lies south of Asia.
• The Southern circles Antarctica and is very cold.
• The Arctic is the smallest, at the very top of the globe, and is often icy.

Here is something interesting. All five connect to one another, so really they are one big world ocean that we give five names to.

Key idea: The five oceans all connect, so they are really one world ocean.

Watch out for

• A continent is land. An ocean is water. They are not the same.
• There are seven continents and five oceans. It is easy to mix up the numbers.
• The United States is a country. It is not a continent. It sits on the continent of North America.
• Thinking the oceans are separate. They all connect to each other.
• The Pacific Ocean is the biggest ocean, not the Atlantic.

Recap

• The Earth is made of continents (land) and oceans (water).
• There are seven continents: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.
• There are five oceans, and the Pacific is the biggest.
• All the oceans connect into one world ocean.
• The United States is on the continent of North America.
• Your town is in a state, in a country, on a continent, on Earth.

Sources

1. National Geographic Society. (n.d.). Map. National Geographic Education Resource Library. education.nationalgeographic.org
2. National Geographic Society. (n.d.). Latitude. National Geographic Education Resource Library. education.nationalgeographic.org
3. NASA. (n.d.). Earth. NASA Science. science.nasa.gov
4. U.S. Geological Survey. (n.d.). Water science school. USGS Special Topics. usgs.gov
5. U.S. Geological Survey. (n.d.). Topographic maps. National Geospatial Program. usgs.gov
6. Smithsonian Institution. (n.d.). For educators. Smithsonian Learning Lab. si.edu
7. National Council for the Social Studies. (2013). College, career, and civic life (C3) framework for social studies state standards. NCSS. socialstudies.org

The big picture

Today we learn about rules and laws. Rules and laws tell us how to act so everyone stays safe and fair. They help people get along.

What is a rule?

A rule tells you what you should or should not do. Rules help a group of people know how to act together.

You already follow many rules every day:

• At home: brush your teeth and pick up your toys.
• At school: raise your hand and take turns.
• In a game: everyone follows the same rules so it is fair.

Rules are not made to be mean. They are made to help everyone.

Key idea: A rule tells you what you should or should not do so a group can get along.

What is a law?

A law is a special, important rule for a whole town, state, or country. Everyone must follow the law, even grown-ups.

Laws are made by leaders in the government to keep people safe and treat everyone fairly.

Here are some laws you may know:

• Cars must stop at a red light.
• People must not steal.
• Children must go to school.
• Everyone must wear a seatbelt in a car.

Key idea: A law is an important rule that everyone in a place must follow.

How rules and laws are alike and different

Rules and laws are alike because both tell us how to act. But there is a difference.

A rule can be for a small group, like your family or your class. Your family might have a rule about bedtime that other families do not have.

A law is for everyone in a town, state, or country. You cannot make your own law. Laws are made by the government.

Key idea: A rule can be for a small group, but a law is for everyone in a place.

Why do we have rules and laws?

Imagine a soccer game with no rules. Players could pick up the ball, push each other, or run the wrong way. It would be no fun and someone could get hurt.

Rules and laws help in three big ways:

1. They keep people safe, like a law that says cars stop at red lights.
2. They keep things fair, like a rule that says take turns.
3. They help people get along, so we do not fight over every little thing.

Without rules and laws, life would be confusing and unsafe.

Key idea: Rules and laws keep us safe, keep things fair, and help us get along.

What if someone breaks a law?

When someone breaks a law, there is usually a consequence. A consequence is what happens after you break a rule or law.

If a driver runs a red light, a police officer might give them a ticket. This helps everyone remember to follow the law and stay safe.

Police officers and judges help make sure laws are followed in a fair way. Their job is to keep the community safe.

Key idea: Breaking a law has a consequence, which helps keep everyone safe.

Good rules can change

Rules and laws are made by people, so they can be changed if they are not fair or not helpful anymore.

In your class, if a rule is not working, you might talk it over and pick a better one. Grown-up leaders do this with laws too.

This is a wonderful thing. It means people can work together to make rules more fair over time.

Key idea: Rules and laws can be changed to make them more fair.

Rule or law?

Say rule or law for each one, and then say who it is for.

• No running in the hallway. Rule, for people at that school.
• Cars must stop at a red light. Law, for everyone who drives.
• Shoes off at the front door. Rule, for that family.
• Wear a helmet when you ride a bike. In many places this is a law for children, and everywhere it is a good rule.
• Take turns on the swings. Rule, for that playground.
• You cannot take something from a store without paying. Law, for everyone.

Notice the pattern. Rules cover one place or one group. Laws cover everybody in a whole town, state, or country.

Key idea: Rules cover one group or place, and laws cover everybody.

How a law gets made

Laws do not appear on their own. People make them, in steps.

1. Someone notices a problem. Maybe cars drive too fast near a school.
2. People talk about it and suggest an idea. Perhaps a lower speed limit near schools.
3. The idea goes to lawmakers, who are people chosen by voters to write laws.
4. The lawmakers argue about it, change it, and then vote.
5. If enough of them say yes, it becomes a law that everyone must follow.

The important part is step three. Lawmakers were chosen by the people, so in a way the people made the law together.

This also means a law can be changed the same way. Some laws in the past were unfair to certain groups of people. Citizens spoke up, marched peacefully, went to court, and voted for new lawmakers. Over time, those laws were changed.

Key idea: People make laws through lawmakers, and people can change laws the same way.

Watch out for

• Rules are not made to be mean. They are made to help everyone.
• A law is not the same as a small family rule. A law is for everyone in a place.
• You cannot make your own law. Laws are made by the government.
• Thinking a law can never change. Unfair laws have been changed before.
• Even grown-ups must follow laws. Laws are for everyone.

Recap

• A rule tells you what you should or should not do.
• A law is an important rule that everyone in a place must follow.
• A rule can be for a small group, but a law is for everyone.
• Rules and laws keep us safe, keep things fair, and help us get along.
• Lawmakers chosen by voters write the laws, and people can change them.
• Breaking a law has a consequence, and laws can be changed to be more fair.

Sources

1. U.S. Government Publishing Office. (n.d.). Ben's guide to the U.S. government. GPO. bensguide.gpo.gov
2. Library of Congress. (n.d.). The legislative process. Congress.gov ↗. congress.gov
3. Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. (n.d.). Educational resources. United States Courts. uscourts.gov
4. National Archives and Records Administration. (n.d.). The Constitution of the United States. America's Founding Documents. archives.gov
5. USAGov. (n.d.). Branches of the U.S. government. USAGov. usa.gov
6. National Council for the Social Studies. (2013). College, career, and civic life (C3) framework for social studies state standards. NCSS. socialstudies.org
7. National Archives and Records Administration. (n.d.). Teaching with documents. NARA Education. archives.gov

The big picture

Today we learn about government. Government is the group of people who lead a place and make its rules. There are three levels: local, state, and national.

What is government?

A government is the group of people who lead a community and make its laws. Government helps keep people safe and takes care of shared things.

Government does many jobs for everyone, like building roads, running schools, keeping parks clean, and paying firefighters and police.

These are big jobs. No single family could do them alone, so we share them through the government.

Key idea: Government is the group of people who lead a place and make its laws.

Three levels of government

In the United States, government works at three sizes, or levels. Think of the nesting cups again, from small to big.

1. Local government leads your town or city.
2. State government leads your whole state.
3. National government leads the whole country.

Each level takes care of different things, and they all work together.

Key idea: The three levels of government are local, state, and national.

Local government: your town

Local government takes care of your town or city. It is the closest to you.

The leader of a city is often called a mayor. A mayor helps make choices for the whole town.

Local government takes care of things close to home:

• Fixing the streets in your town.
• Running the local library and parks.
• Paying the town firefighters and police.
• Picking up the trash.

Key idea: Local government leads your town, and its leader is often a mayor.

State government: your state

A state is a large part of the country with its own leaders. The United States has fifty states, like Texas, Ohio, and California.

The leader of a state is called a governor. A governor helps lead the whole state.

State government takes care of bigger things, like:

• Big highways that cross the state.
• State parks.
• Helping all the schools in the state.

Key idea: State government leads your state, and its leader is a governor.

National government: the whole country

The national government leads the whole United States. It is the biggest level. It is also called the federal government.

The leader of our country is called the president. The president helps lead the whole nation.

The national government takes care of the biggest jobs, like:

• Keeping the whole country safe.
• Printing our money.
• Making choices that affect every state.

Key idea: National government leads the whole country, and its leader is the president.

How the levels work together

The three levels are like a team. Each one has its own job, but they all help the same people, which is you and your family.

Think about a snowy day. Your town plows your street (local). The state plows the big highway (state). And the national government helps if there is a huge storm across many states (national).

All three levels work together to take care of everyone.

Key idea: Local, state, and national government each do their part and work together.

People choose their leaders

Here is something special about our country. The people help choose their leaders by voting. Voting means making a choice count by marking it, often on a ballot.

Grown-ups vote to pick the mayor, the governor, the president, and other leaders. This gives the people a voice in their government.

When you grow up, you will be able to vote too. It is an important way to help your community.

Key idea: In our country, grown-ups vote to help choose their leaders.

Which level takes care of this?

Say local, state, or national for each job. Some are shared, and that is worth noticing.

• Fixing the potholes on your street. Local.
• Printing the money everyone uses. National.
• Giving out driver's licenses. State.
• Running your public library. Local.
• Deciding rules for the whole country's mail. National.
• Running the state parks. State.
• Picking up your trash. Local.
• Keeping schools running. Shared. States set many rules, local districts run the schools, and the national government helps too.

A helpful way to remember: the closer a job is to your own front door, the more likely it is local.

Key idea: The closer a job is to your front door, the more likely it belongs to local government.

How voting works

Voting is how people choose leaders. Here is how it goes in a simple form.

1. People who want a job as a leader tell voters their ideas.
2. On election day, grown-up citizens go to a voting place, or send a ballot by mail.
3. Each voter marks one choice on a ballot, which is a private paper or screen.
4. Every ballot gets counted.
5. The person with the most votes gets the job.

The private part matters. No one can look at your ballot and make you vote a certain way. That is what makes it fair.

You can practice this at home or in class. Vote on the next game to play or the next read-aloud book. Write choices on slips of paper, fold them, count them together, and follow the result even if your own pick lost. That last part is the real lesson.

Key idea: Voting is private, every vote gets counted, and everyone accepts the result.

Watch out for

• A mayor leads a town, a governor leads a state, and a president leads the whole country. It is easy to mix these up.
• The national government is the biggest level, not the smallest.
• Local government is the closest to you, taking care of your own town.
• Thinking one level does everything. They divide the work up.
• People do not just get to be leaders on their own. Grown-ups vote to choose them.

Recap

• Government is the group of people who lead a place and make its laws.
• The three levels are local, state, and national.
• A mayor leads a town, a governor leads a state, and a president leads the country.
• Jobs closer to your front door usually belong to local government.
• The three levels work together to take care of everyone.
• Grown-ups vote in private, and everyone accepts the result.

Sources

1. U.S. Government Publishing Office. (n.d.). Ben's guide to the U.S. government. GPO. bensguide.gpo.gov
2. USAGov. (n.d.). Branches of the U.S. government. USAGov. usa.gov
3. USAGov. (n.d.). Voting and elections. USAGov. usa.gov
4. U.S. Senate. (n.d.). The Senate and the Constitution. United States Senate. senate.gov
5. Library of Congress. (n.d.). The legislative process. Congress.gov ↗. congress.gov
6. National Archives and Records Administration. (n.d.). The Constitution of the United States. America's Founding Documents. archives.gov
7. National Council for the Social Studies. (2013). College, career, and civic life (C3) framework for social studies state standards. NCSS. socialstudies.org

The big picture

Today we learn about American symbols and holidays. A symbol is something that stands for a bigger idea. These symbols and holidays help us share our country's story.

What is a symbol?

A symbol is a picture, object, or sign that stands for a bigger idea. When you see it, you think of that idea.

You already know some symbols. A red heart stands for love. A green light means go. Our country has special symbols too.

American symbols help people remember the ideas our country cares about, like freedom and working together.

Key idea: A symbol is something that stands for a bigger idea.

The American flag

The American flag is one of our most important symbols. It has red and white stripes and white stars on a blue square.

The parts of the flag have meaning:

• There are 50 stars, one for each of the 50 states.
• There are 13 stripes, one for each of the first 13 colonies that started our country.

People show respect for the flag by standing quietly when it is raised. We fly the flag at schools, homes, and on holidays.

Key idea: The American flag has 50 stars for the 50 states and 13 stripes for the first 13 colonies.

More American symbols

Our country has many other symbols. Here are a few famous ones:

• The Statue of Liberty is a giant statue of a woman holding a torch. It stands in New York and welcomes people to America. It is a symbol of freedom.
• The bald eagle is our national bird. It stands for strength and freedom.
• The Liberty Bell is a large old bell in Philadelphia. It is a symbol of freedom from long ago.
• The White House is where the president lives and works.

Key idea: The Statue of Liberty, the bald eagle, and the Liberty Bell are all American symbols of freedom.

What is a holiday?

A holiday is a special day when we remember an important person, event, or idea. Many people do not go to work or school on a holiday.

Holidays help us remember our country's story and celebrate together. Families often gather, share food, and enjoy the day.

Some holidays are happy celebrations. Others are quiet days to say thank you and remember.

Key idea: A holiday is a special day to remember an important person, event, or idea.

Some American holidays

Here are some holidays many Americans share:

• Independence Day, on July 4th, celebrates the day America became its own country. People enjoy parades, picnics, and fireworks.
• Thanksgiving, in November, is a day to give thanks and share a big meal with family.
• Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor people who served and gave their lives for our country.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors a leader who worked for fairness and kindness for all people.
• Presidents Day honors the leaders of our country, like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Key idea: American holidays like Independence Day and Thanksgiving help us remember and celebrate together.

Songs and pledges

We also share special words and songs. The national anthem is our country's special song. It is called The Star-Spangled Banner, and it is about the American flag.

Many children say the Pledge of Allegiance at school. It is a promise to be loyal to our country and to treat people fairly.

These songs and words are a way for people all over the country to share the same feelings of pride and hope.

Key idea: The national anthem is our country's special song, and it is about the flag.

The story behind the Statue of Liberty

Symbols become much more interesting when you know where they came from.

The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France, given in the 1880s. It stands on an island in New York Harbor, which is where many ships full of newcomers arrived.

Look closely at the statue and you will find meaning in every part.

• She holds a torch high, like a light showing the way.
• She carries a tablet with the date July 4, 1776 on it.
• Her crown has seven spikes, often said to stand for the seven continents and seas.
• At her feet lie broken chains, standing for freedom.

For millions of people arriving by ship, she was the first thing they saw. That is why she means welcome to so many families.

Key idea: Every part of a symbol usually means something, if you look closely.

Holidays remember different things

American holidays are not all the same kind. Sorting them helps you remember why each one exists.

• Remembering people: Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors his peaceful work for fairness. Presidents Day honors past presidents.
• Remembering events: Independence Day marks July 4, 1776, when the country declared itself free. Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved people in Texas learned they were free.
• Remembering service: Veterans Day thanks all who served in the military. Memorial Day remembers those who died serving.
• Sharing together: Thanksgiving is a day for gathering and giving thanks.

Some holidays hold both happy and sad feelings at once, and that is all right. Remembering hard parts of the past honestly is part of respecting the people who lived through them.

Key idea: Holidays remember people, events, service, or sharing, and some hold more than one feeling.

Watch out for

• The flag has 50 stars for states and 13 stripes for the first colonies. The numbers are not the same.
• The Statue of Liberty is a statue, and the Liberty Bell is a bell. They are two different symbols.
• A holiday is more than a day off. It is a day to remember something important.
• Thinking every holiday is a happy one. Some are for remembering with care.
• Independence Day is July 4th, when America became its own country. It is not the day it was discovered.

Recap

• A symbol is something that stands for a bigger idea.
• The American flag has 50 stars and 13 stripes.
• The Statue of Liberty, bald eagle, and Liberty Bell are symbols of freedom.
• Each part of a symbol usually has its own meaning.
• A holiday is a special day to remember an important person, event, or idea.
• The national anthem is our country's special song about the flag.

Sources

1. National Park Service. (n.d.). Statue of Liberty National Monument. NPS. U.S. Department of the Interior. nps.gov
2. National Archives and Records Administration. (n.d.). The Declaration of Independence. America's Founding Documents. archives.gov
3. National Archives and Records Administration. (n.d.). America's historical documents. NARA. archives.gov
4. Library of Congress. (n.d.). U.S. history primary source timeline. Classroom Materials. loc.gov
5. National Museum of African American History and Culture. (n.d.). For students. Smithsonian NMAAHC. nmaahc.si.edu
6. U.S. Government Publishing Office. (n.d.). Ben's guide to the U.S. government. GPO. bensguide.gpo.gov
7. Smithsonian Institution. (n.d.). For educators. Smithsonian Learning Lab. si.edu

The big picture

Today we meet some people who helped shape America. We also learn about a timeline, which shows when things happened. These people worked hard to make our country better.

What is history?

History is the story of what happened in the past, before now. When you learn about people who lived long ago, you are learning history.

History helps us remember brave and kind people. It helps us learn from what they did.

To keep events in order, we use a timeline. A timeline is a line that shows when things happened, in the order they happened, from earlier to later.

Key idea: History is the story of the past, and a timeline shows when things happened in order.

George Washington

George Washington was the first president of the United States. People call him the Father of Our Country.

Long ago, he led the American soldiers who won our country's freedom. Then the people chose him to be the very first president.

He is on the one dollar bill and the quarter, so you may have seen his face already.

Key idea: George Washington was the first president of the United States.

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth president. He led our country during a very hard time called the Civil War.

Lincoln worked to keep the country together. He also helped end slavery, which was a cruel and unfair time when some people were forced to work and were not free.

Lincoln is on the penny and the five dollar bill. He is remembered for being honest and brave.

Key idea: Abraham Lincoln helped keep our country together and helped end slavery.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader who worked for fairness. He wanted all people to be treated kindly and equally, no matter the color of their skin.

He asked people to work for change in a peaceful way, with words and marches instead of fighting. His famous dream was that all children could be friends and be treated fairly.

We honor him with a holiday in January, called Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Key idea: Martin Luther King Jr. worked in a peaceful way for fairness for all people.

More Americans who helped

Many people helped shape America. Here are a few more:

• Rosa Parks was brave and helped fight for fairness by refusing to give up her bus seat.
• Susan B. Anthony worked hard so that women would be allowed to vote.
• Benjamin Franklin was a writer and inventor who helped start our country.
• Harriet Tubman was brave and helped many people escape slavery to be free.

Each of these people was once a child, just like you. They grew up and helped make the country better.

Key idea: Many brave Americans, like Rosa Parks and Harriet Tubman, helped make our country more fair.

Reading a simple timeline

Let us put a few of these people on a timeline, from earlier to later. This helps us see who lived first.

1. George Washington helped start the country long ago.
2. Abraham Lincoln led during the Civil War, later than Washington.
3. Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. worked for fairness, later still, closer to today.

A timeline shows the order, so you can see that Washington came before Lincoln, and Lincoln came before Dr. King.

Key idea: A timeline puts events in order so we can see what came first.

More Americans worth knowing

Many kinds of people have helped shape this country. Here are a few more.

• Sacagawea was a Shoshone woman who guided and interpreted for the Lewis and Clark expedition across the West.
• Benjamin Franklin was a printer, writer, and inventor who helped start the country and studied electricity.
• Susan B. Anthony worked for many years so that women would have the right to vote.
• Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball in 1947 and faced great unfairness with courage.
• Cesar Chavez organized farm workers, peacefully, so they would be treated and paid fairly.
• Katherine Johnson was a mathematician at NASA whose calculations helped astronauts fly safely to space and back.

Notice how different they are from one another. Some were leaders, some were scientists, some were athletes, some were workers. There is no one way to help your country.

Key idea: People from many backgrounds and many kinds of work have shaped America.

Build your own timeline

Timelines are easier to understand when you make one about yourself.

1. Draw a long line across a sheet of paper turned sideways.
2. Write the year you were born at the far left, and this year at the far right.
3. Mark each year in between with a small tick.
4. Add events above the line: when you started school, a move, a new pet, a trip you remember.

Now look at it. Everything to the left happened earlier. Everything to the right happened later. That is exactly how a history timeline works, just with bigger numbers.

Here is one more thing timelines show you. Some events had to come before others. You could not start school before you were born, and Abraham Lincoln could not be president before George Washington was.

Key idea: A timeline shows both when things happened and what had to come first.

Watch out for

• George Washington was the first president. Abraham Lincoln came much later.
• Martin Luther King Jr. worked for change in a peaceful way, not by fighting.
• A timeline goes in order, from earlier to later. Mixing up the order changes the story.
• Thinking only presidents shaped the country. Workers, scientists, and everyday people did too.
• These famous people were once children too. Anyone can grow up to help others.

Recap

• History is the story of the past, and a timeline shows when things happened.
• George Washington was the first president of the United States.
• Abraham Lincoln helped keep the country together and helped end slavery.
• Martin Luther King Jr. worked in a peaceful way for fairness for all people.
• People from many backgrounds have helped shape America.
• Many brave Americans helped make our country more fair.

Sources

1. Library of Congress. (n.d.). U.S. history primary source timeline. Classroom Materials. loc.gov
2. Library of Congress. (n.d.). Getting started with primary sources. Teachers. loc.gov
3. National Archives and Records Administration. (n.d.). America's historical documents. NARA. archives.gov
4. National Museum of African American History and Culture. (n.d.). For students. Smithsonian NMAAHC. nmaahc.si.edu
5. National Park Service. (n.d.). Teaching with historic places. NPS. U.S. Department of the Interior. nps.gov
6. Library of Congress. (n.d.). Immigration and relocation in U.S. history. Classroom Materials. loc.gov
7. National Archives and Records Administration. (n.d.). Teaching with documents. NARA Education. archives.gov

The big picture

Today we learn about Native Americans, the first people who lived here. They lived on this land long before anyone else came. Many Native American nations are still here today.

Who are Native Americans?

Native Americans are the first people who lived in America, long before other people arrived from far away. They are also called American Indians or Indigenous people. Indigenous means the first people to live in a place.

Native Americans lived on this land for thousands of years. They knew how to find food, build homes, and take care of the land.

It is important to know that Native Americans are not just people from the past. Many Native Americans live in the United States today.

Key idea: Native Americans are the first people who lived in America, and many are still here today.

Many different nations

Native Americans are not all the same. There are many groups, and each one is called a nation or a tribe. A nation is a large group of people who share the same language, leaders, and ways of living.

There are hundreds of Native American nations. Here are just a few:

• The Cherokee
• The Navajo, also called the Dine
• The Lakota, part of the Sioux
• The Hopi
• The Iroquois, also called the Haudenosaunee

Each nation has its own language, stories, and traditions. They are all different and special.

Key idea: There are many different Native American nations, and each one is special.

Different homes for different lands

Native American nations lived all over the land, and they built homes that fit their part of the country.

• Some nations on the plains lived in a tipi, a tent made of poles and animal skins that could be moved.
• Some nations in the Southwest built homes of clay and stone called pueblos.
• Some nations in the Northeast built long wooden homes called longhouses, where many families lived together.

They used what they found around them, like wood, clay, and grass, to build the right kind of home.

Key idea: Native American nations built different homes that fit the land where they lived.

Living with the land

Native Americans knew a lot about nature. They learned to get food and other things they needed from the land around them.

Different nations lived in different ways:

• Some grew crops like corn, beans, and squash. These three were so important that some people called them the Three Sisters.
• Some hunted animals like buffalo and deer.
• Some fished in rivers and the sea.
• Some gathered berries, nuts, and plants.

They were careful to take only what they needed and to give thanks for it.

Key idea: Native Americans got food from the land by farming, hunting, fishing, and gathering.

Stories, art, and traditions

Native American nations have rich culture. Culture is the way a group of people live, including their stories, music, food, art, and celebrations.

Many nations told stories out loud to teach lessons and to remember their past. They made beautiful art, like pottery, blankets, and beadwork.

They also had special dances, songs, and gatherings. Many of these traditions are still shared today, passed from grandparents to children.

Key idea: Native American culture includes stories, art, music, and traditions that are still shared today.

Native Americans today

Native Americans are an important part of our country today. They live in every state. They are teachers, doctors, artists, athletes, leaders, and more.

Many nations keep their languages and traditions alive. They hold gatherings called powwows, where people dance, sing, and celebrate together.

When we learn about Native Americans with respect, we honor the first people of this land and the many nations that are still thriving.

Key idea: Native Americans are still an important part of our country today.

Use the nation's own name

Here is an easy way to show respect. When you can, name the nation. Do not just say Native American.

Saying Native American is a bit like saying European. It covers many very different peoples.

• The Cherokee Nation has its own government. A man named Sequoyah made a way to write their language.
• The Navajo Nation live in the Southwest. They call themselves Dine. They are known for weaving.
• The Lakota live on the northern plains. They have their own language and songs.
• The Wampanoag live in what is now Massachusetts. They were there long before ships came from England.
• The Hopi live in stone villages in Arizona. Some of those villages are very old.

Many nations use their own name for themselves. Dine is the Navajo word for their people. Using the name a group picks is a simple way to be kind.

Key idea: Naming the specific nation, and using the name they choose, shows respect.

Learning honestly and kindly

Part of this story is hard to hear. Native nations were here first. Later, many were forced to leave their homelands. They lost land and loved ones. That was not fair, and it caused deep sadness.

We tell that part honestly because it is true. Those families are still here. But sadness is not the whole story.

Native nations today run their own schools and courts. Native people are teachers, doctors, artists, and athletes. Many nations are bringing their languages back. Children are learning them again.

Here are two good habits for learning about any group of people.

• Learn from the group itself. A museum or website made by a nation is the best place to start.
• Talk about people in the present, not only the past.

Key idea: Learn the true history honestly, and learn about people today from the people themselves.

Watch out for

• Native Americans are not all the same. There are many different nations, each with its own language and ways.
• Native Americans are not only people from the past. Many live in the United States today.
• Not all Native Americans lived in tipis. Homes were different in different places.
• Talking about Native people only in the past tense. They are here now.
• Native American culture is real and living, not just something in old stories.

Recap

• Native Americans are the first people who lived in America.
• There are many different nations, each with its own language and traditions.
• Name the specific nation when you can, using the name they choose.
• They built different homes, like tipis, pueblos, and longhouses, to fit the land.
• Some of the history is hard and unfair, and telling it honestly matters.
• Native Americans are still an important part of our country today.

Sources

1. National Museum of the American Indian. (n.d.). Native Knowledge 360: Interactive lessons and resources. Smithsonian NMAI. americanindian.si.edu
2. National Museum of the American Indian. (n.d.). Search lessons and resources. Native Knowledge 360. Smithsonian NMAI. americanindian.si.edu
3. National Museum of the American Indian. (n.d.). Collections. Smithsonian NMAI. americanindian.si.edu
4. National Park Service. (n.d.). Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. NPS. U.S. Department of the Interior. nps.gov
5. Library of Congress. (n.d.). U.S. history primary source timeline. Classroom Materials. loc.gov
6. National Park Service. (n.d.). Teaching with historic places. NPS. U.S. Department of the Interior. nps.gov
7. National Council for the Social Studies. (2013). College, career, and civic life (C3) framework for social studies state standards. NCSS. socialstudies.org

The big picture

Today we learn how to be a good citizen. A citizen is a member of a community or country. Being a good citizen means helping others and doing your part.

What is a citizen?

A citizen is a member of a community, a state, or a country. You are a citizen of your town, your state, and the United States, all at once.

Being a citizen is a little like being on a team. Every member matters, and every member can help.

A good citizen cares about their community and tries to make it a better place for everyone.

Key idea: A citizen is a member of a community or country, and every citizen can help.

Follow the rules and laws

One way to be a good citizen is to follow the rules and laws. Rules and laws keep everyone safe and fair.

When you follow rules, you help everyone around you:

• Looking both ways before you cross keeps you safe.
• Taking turns makes games fair for everyone.
• Cleaning up your mess helps the whole group.

Good citizens follow rules even when no one is watching, because it is the right thing to do.

Key idea: A good citizen follows rules and laws to keep everyone safe and fair.

Be kind and respectful

A good citizen treats other people with respect. Respect means being kind and polite, and treating others the way you want to be treated.

Here are simple ways to show respect:

• Say please and thank you.
• Listen when someone else is talking.
• Include others and do not leave people out.
• Be gentle with your words and your hands.

Respect helps everyone feel welcome and safe in the community.

Key idea: A good citizen is kind and treats others with respect.

Help your community

A good citizen helps out. Even a small helper can make a big difference.

Here are ways a child can help the community:

• Pick up litter to keep parks and streets clean.
• Help a neighbor carry something or rake leaves.
• Share toys and take turns.
• Donate old clothes or food to families who need them.
• Help take care of the classroom or the playground.

When you help, you make your community a better place, and it feels good too.

Key idea: A good citizen helps the community in small and big ways.

Care for the Earth

Being a good citizen also means taking care of our planet. The Earth is a home we all share.

You can help the Earth by:

• Turning off lights and water when you are done.
• Putting trash in the trash can and recycling when you can.
• Planting flowers or trees.
• Not wasting food or paper.

When everyone does a little to care for the Earth, it adds up to a lot.

Key idea: A good citizen helps take care of the Earth, our shared home.

Have a voice and make choices

Good citizens also share their ideas in a kind way. When your class votes on a game or a book, you are being a citizen by helping decide.

When you grow up, you will be able to vote to help choose leaders. Voting is one important way citizens have a voice in their government.

You do not have to wait until you are grown to have a voice. You can speak up kindly, help make fair choices, and stand up for others right now.

Key idea: A good citizen shares ideas kindly and, when grown, votes to help choose leaders.

Rights come with responsibilities

A right is something you are allowed to have or do. A responsibility is a job that comes along with it. They always travel in pairs.

• Right: you can use the public library. Responsibility: return the books on time and keep them in good shape.
• Right: you can play at the park. Responsibility: share the equipment and take your trash with you.
• Right: you can say what you think. Responsibility: say it kindly, and listen when someone disagrees.
• Right: you can go to school. Responsibility: try your best and let others learn too.
• Right: grown-up citizens can vote. Responsibility: learn about the choices before voting.

See the pattern? Every right works only if people keep up their side. If nobody returned library books, there would be no library to use.

Key idea: Every right comes with a responsibility that keeps it working for everyone.

Disagreeing the good way

Good citizens do not all think the same. What matters is how you disagree.

Try this way of speaking up.

1. Say what you think, and say why. I think we should have more recess, because we focus better after moving.
2. Listen to the other side all the way through, without interrupting.
3. Find something you agree on. We both want the class to learn well.
4. Look for a middle idea. Maybe two shorter recesses instead of one long one.
5. If you still disagree, stay kind. You can disagree with an idea without being unkind to a person.

That last step is the hardest and the most important. Grown-up citizens who do it well make their whole country work better.

Key idea: Disagree with the idea, never unkindly with the person.

Make a citizenship plan

Pick one small thing you will actually do this week. Write it down where you will see it.

• At home: set the table without being asked, or help a younger sibling.
• At school: include someone who is playing alone.
• In your community: pick up litter with a grown-up, or draw a thank-you card for a helper.
• For the Earth: turn off lights you are not using, or start a recycling bin.

Do it for a week and then look back. Small actions repeated are what a good citizen actually is. Nobody becomes one in a single day.

Key idea: Being a good citizen is a small habit repeated, not a single big act.

Watch out for

• Being a citizen is not just about grown-ups. Children can be good citizens too.
• Helping does not have to be big. Small acts, like picking up litter, count a lot.
• Following rules only when someone is watching is not the same as being a good citizen.
• Thinking disagreeing is rude. Disagreeing kindly is part of citizenship.
• Respect means treating everyone kindly, not just your friends.

Recap

• A citizen is a member of a community or country.
• A good citizen follows rules and laws.
• Every right comes with a responsibility.
• A good citizen is kind and treats others with respect, even when disagreeing.
• A good citizen helps the community and takes care of the Earth.
• A good citizen shares ideas kindly and, when grown, votes.

Sources

1. U.S. Government Publishing Office. (n.d.). Ben's guide to the U.S. government. GPO. bensguide.gpo.gov
2. USAGov. (n.d.). Voting and elections. USAGov. usa.gov
3. National Archives and Records Administration. (n.d.). The Constitution of the United States. America's Founding Documents. archives.gov
4. Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. (n.d.). Educational resources. United States Courts. uscourts.gov
5. National Council for the Social Studies. (2013). College, career, and civic life (C3) framework for social studies state standards. NCSS. socialstudies.org
6. USAGov. (n.d.). Education resources for kids. USAGov. kids.usa.gov
7. Library of Congress. (n.d.). Classroom materials. Teachers. loc.gov