5TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES I CAN STATEMENTS
*Government and Civics
I can describe what the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution means.
I can give examples of services the U.S. government provides.
I can analyze the importance of services to citizens.
I can explain how a democratic government works (making laws, enforcing laws, and
interpreting laws).
I can give examples of how the government provides for the good of the citizens. (e.g.,
speed limits, seat belts, and smoking bans)
I can identify the three branches of government.
I can explain the duties of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of
government.
I can identify important members of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of
government.
I can explain why the Constitution established a government where powers are shared.
I can list the three levels of government (National, state, local).
I can explain the basic principles of democracy found in important historical documents.
I can examine in detail why the basic ideas of democracy are important to citizens today.
I can describe the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens. (e.g., voting, jury duty,
paying taxes, running for public office)
I can explain why it is important for citizens to participate in their government.
*Culture and Society
I can identify early cultures in the U.S.
I can compare similarities and differences of early cultures.
I can describe social institutions in the U.S. and explain their role in the development of
the nation.
I can describe interactions that occurred between diverse groups in the history of the
U.S.
I can give examples of conflicts between individuals or groups.
I can describe strategies for conflict resolution. (compromise, cooperation,
communication)
*Economics
I can describe scarcity.
I can explain how scarcity required people in different time periods to make economic
choices.
I can explain how profits motivate individuals and businesses to take risks in producing
goods and services.
I can give examples of markets in different periods of U.S. history.
I can explain similarities and differences of markets in different periods of history.
I can explain how competition among buyers and sellers influence the price of goods
and services.
I can describe production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services
throughout history.
I can describe how new knowledge and specialization increases productivity.
I can define interdependence.
I can give examples of how people in our communities, states, nation, and world depend
on each other for goods and services.
*Geography
I can use a map, chart, or graph to identify natural resources.
I can use a map, chart, or graph to identify landforms, bodies of water, and climate.
I can examine patterns of movement and settlement in the United States.
I can use maps to find absolute location of landforms and bodies of water in the United
States.
I can describe how different factors influence where human activities are/were located.
I can explain how factors in one location impact other locations.
I can explain patterns of human settlement in the early development of the U.S.
I can explain how these patterns were influenced by physical characteristics.
I can describe how advances in technology allow people to settle in inaccessible places.
I can explain and give examples how people changed the physical environment to meet
their needs.
I can describe how the environment promoted and restricted human activities.
I can describe how individuals and groups have different perspectives about the use of
land.
*Historical Perspective
I can use a variety of primary and secondary sources to describe events in the U.S.
History.
I can identify historical documents and explain their importance.
I can explain reasons immigrants came to America long ago and why they come to
America today.
I can compare changes in communication, technology, transportation, and education
between Colonization and Industrialization periods.
I can describe important events that occurred during historical periods and eras in
history.
I can explain the cause of these important historical events in history.
I can explain the effects of these important events in history.