4th Grade Social Studies Course

What can we learn about our communities and identities by exploring American cultural traditions?

Arizona Social Studies Standards - 4th Grade (PDF)

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This year, we will explore the rich cultures and regions of the Americas! Our first investigation is into the cultures of the Indigenous peoples of America. We will explore ancient civilizations like the Aztecs, Incas, and Maya, discovering how they lived and what made their communities unique. We will also look at the Pascua Yaqui and Tohono O’odham nations, understanding how their traditions and histories influence our lives today. 

Our next investigation hits close to home as we learn about the history of Tucson! We will explore how the arrival of the Spanish changed the lives of the Indigenous peoples who were already living here. We will also uncover the influence that Spanish settlement had on the founding of Tucson and how the city’s natural resources, cultural resources, and location help it to grow. 

We continue our exploration by learning how new communities were created in America. We will explore the challenges faced by the Jamestown colonists and how their experiences affected the Native American tribes around them. We will also investigate the story of the Wampanoag people and how they resisted European settlement to protect their land and culture. 

Our investigations end with the important and complex history of slavery in Colonial America. We will uncover the stories of brave people and key events that helped fight for freedom and eventually bring an end to slavery. We will also explore the lives of indentured servants, revealing how they worked tirelessly to help build our early nation despite facing many hardships.