"Through the study of history, we can discover why the world is as it presently exists: our world in its current state is a direct result of the developments and events of the past. Every action taken in the past, every idea and concept thought of and acted upon, every war and treaty, every great leader and villain has contributed to the collective sum of developments which have molded our current world." — Introspection #4 - The Importance of Accurate History
5 Ponds Press is the publisher of Virginia's K-7 History & Social Studies curriculum. Each year's studies builds upon the previous, as you can see from their textbook covers below. In 5th grade, we will study America from its founding through 1865, the end of our Civil War. What an exciting time period to learn about! From explorers to this "New World" to Native American Indians, the creation of the original 13 Colonies, our country's Founding Fathers and the traditions & values set forth both in practice and in the documents that set us on course of American Exceptionalism, there is (in my opinion!) just no more exciting time in our country's history to study.
Kindergarten through 3rd grade.
4th through 7th grade.
There are 5 Sections in the Virginia SOL's for social studies. My current plan is to tackle one section each quarter, beginning our school year with "Exploration to Revolution: Pre-Columbian Times to the 1770s," and wrapping up the year with "Civil War: 1861 to 1865." I will intersperse the Geography strand in with each section we study every quarter.