Warwick School District

Curriculum❯Social Studies 04

Social Studies 04

Grade Levels: 04 |

Course Description

Social studies instruction is tied directly to the Pennsylvania Academic Standards related to History, Geography, Civics & Government, Economics, and Personal Finance . The curriculum focuses on the standard areas as it builds and broadens in scope from grade to grade. Fourth grade students will learn about civics, geography of US Regions, history and government, economics, and personal finance using the TCI resources through an exploration of the regions of the United States.


Core Curriculum Content Standards

Civics and Government (2009-2012)

  • Principles and Documents of Government

    • GRADE 4

      • Examine school rules and consequences.(5.1.4.A)
      • Explain rules and laws for the classroom, school, community, and state.(5.1.4.B)
      • Explain the principles and ideals shaping local and state government. -Liberty / Freedom -Democracy -Justice -Equality(5.1.4.C)
      • Identify key ideas about government found in significant documents: -Declaration of Independence -United States Constitution -Bill of Rights -Pennsylvania Constitution(5.1.4.D)
      • Identify state symbols, national symbols, and national holidays.(5.1.4.F)

  • Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship

    • GRADE 4

      • Identify individual rights and needs and the rights and needs of others in the classroom, school, and community.(5.2.4.A)
      • Describe the sources of conflict and disagreement and different ways conflict can be resolved.(5.2.4.B)
      • Describe the roles of leadership and public service in school, community, state, and nation.(5.2.4.C)
      • Describe how citizens participate in school and community activities.(5.2.4.D)

  • How Government Works

    • GRADE 4

      • Identify the roles of the three branches of government.(5.3.4.A)
      • Describe how the elected representative bodies function in making local and state laws.(5.3.4.B)
      • Identify the services performed by local and state governments.(5.3.4.C)
      • Identify positions of authority at the local and state, and national level.(5.3.4.D)
      • Explain the voting process.(5.3.4.E)
      • Explain how different perspectives can lead to conflict.(5.3.4.F)
      • Identify individual interests and explain ways to influence others.(5.3.4.G)

    • GRADE 5

      • Describe the responsibilities and powers of the three branches of government.(5.3.5.A)
      • Describe how the elected representative bodies function in making local, state, and national laws.(5.3.5.B)
      • Describe the role of local and state government officials.(5.3.5.C)
      • Describe the primary duties of elected local, state, and national positions.(5.3.5.D)
      • Identify the requirements to vote in local, state, and national elections.(5.3.5.E)

Geography (2009-2012)

  • Basic Geographic Literacy

    • GRADE 4

      • Describe how common geographic tools are used to organize and interpret information about people, places, and environment.(7.1.4.A)
      • Describe and locate places and regions as defined by physical and human features.(7.1.4.B)

  • Physical Characteristics of Places and Regions

    • GRADE 4

      • Identify the physical characteristics of places and regions.(7.2.4.A)
      • Identify the basic physical processes that affect the physical characteristics of places and regions.(7.2.4.B)

    • GRADE 5

      • Describe the characteristics of places and regions.(7.2.5.A)
      • Identify the basic physical processes that affect the physical characteristics of places and regions.(7.2.5.B)

  • Human Characteristics of Places and Regions

    • GRADE 4

      • Identify the human characteristics of places and regions using the following criteria: -Population -Culture -Settlement -Economic activities -Political activities(7.3.4.A)

    • GRADE 5

      • Identify the human characteristics of places and regions using the following criteria: -Population -Culture -Settlement -Economic activities -Political activities(7.3.5.A)

  • Interactions Between People and the Environment

    • GRADE 4

      • Identify the effect of the physical systems on people within a community.(7.4.4.A)
      • Identify the effect of people on the physical systems within a community.(7.4.4.B)

    • GRADE 5

      • Describe and explain the effects of the physical systems on people within regions.(7.4.5.A)
      • Identify the effect of people on the physical systems within a community.(7.4.5.B)

History (2009-2012)

  • Historical Analysis and Skills Development

    • GRADE 4

      • Identify and describe how geography and climate have influenced continuity and change over time.(8.1.4.A)
      • Distinguish between fact and opinion from multiple points of view, and primary sources as related to historical events. (Reference Civics and Government Standard 5.1.9.C.)(8.1.4.B)
      • Identify a specific research topic and develop questions relating to the research topic. (Reference RWSL Standard 1.8.3 Research)(8.1.4.C)

  • Pennsylvania History

    • GRADE 4

      • Differentiate common characteristics of the social, political, cultural, and economic groups from Pennsylvania.(8.2.4.A)
      • Locate historical documents, artifacts, and places critical to Pennsylvania history.(8.2.4.B)
      • Explain how continuity and change in Pennsylvania history have influenced personal development and identity. -Belief systems and religions -Commerce and industry -Technology -Politics and government -Physical and human geography -Social organizations(8.2.4.C)
      • Distinguish between conflict and cooperation among groups and organization that impacted the history and development of Pennsylvania -Ethnicity and race -Working conditions -Immigration -Military conflict -Economic stability(8.2.4.D)

  • United States History

    • GRADE 4

      • Differentiate common characteristics of the social, political, cultural and economic groups in United States history.(8.3.4.A)
      • Locate historical documents, artifacts, and places critical to United States history.(8.3.4.B)
      • Explain how continuity and change in U.S. history have influenced personal development and identity. - Belief systems and religions - Commerce and industry - Technology - Politics and government - Physical and human geography - Social organizations(8.3.4.C)
      • Distinguish between conflict and cooperation among groups and organization that impacted the history and development of the United States. -Ethnicity and race -Working conditions -Immigration -Military conflict -Economic stability(8.3.4.D)

  • World History

    • GRADE 4

      • Differentiate common characteristics of the social, political, cultural, and economic groups in world history(8.4.4.A)
      • Locate historical documents, artifacts, and sites, which are critical to World history.(8.4.4.B)
      • Explain how continuity and change in world history have influenced personal development and identity. - Belief systems and religions - Commerce and industry - Technology - Politics and government - Physical and human geography - Social organizations(8.4.4.C)
      • Distinguish between conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations that impacted development of the history of the world.(8.4.4.D)

Economics (2026)

  • Fundamentals of Economics

    • Grades 3 to 5

      • Identify the three basic questions that all economic systems attempt to answer: What goods and services should be produced? How will goods and services be produced? Who will consume goods and services?(6.1.3-5.B)
      • Define scarcity and how it impacts personal, household, and community decision- making.(6.1.3-5.C)
      • Explain the costs and benefits of an economic decision.(6.1.3-5.F)
      • Define opportunity cost and describe the opportunity cost of a personal choice.(6.1.3-5.G)
      • Explain how negative and positive incentives affect choices.(6.1.3-5.H)
      • Define specialization and identify examples of interdependence.(6.1.3-5.I)
      • Explain why some products are produced locally while others are not.(6.1.3-5.M)

  • Microeconomics

    • Grades 3 to 5

      • Describe how consumers purchase goods and services from producers.(6.2.3-5.A)
      • Identify ways local businesses compete for customers.(6.2.3-5.B)
      • Explain how the location of resources and transportation have affected Pennsylvania economic patterns.(6.2.3-5.E)
      • Describe businesses that provide goods and businesses that provide services.(6.2.3-5.H)
      • Define profit and loss.(6.2.3-5.I)
      • Identify historical and contemporary entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania.(6.2.3-5.J)

  • Macroeconomics

    • Grades 3 to 5

      • Explain how taxes affect the price of goods and services.(6.3.3-5.E)
      • Explain how the government pays for goods and services through taxes.(6.3.3-5.F)
      • Identify unintended consequences of market activities (e.g., pollution, noise, traffic).(6.3.3-5.H)
      • Distinguish between public and private goods and services.(6.3.3-5.I)

Personal Finance (2026)

  • Personal Finance Fundamentals

    • Grades 3 to 5

      • Describe reasons people set financial goals. (17.1.3-5.A)
      • Identify the opportunity cost of various financial decisions, including ones related to earning, spending, and saving.(17.1.3-5.B)
      • Explain how life circumstances and experiences can alter attitudes toward money. (17.1.3-5.C)
      • Identify financial decisions people make that may not be in their best interest. (17.1.3-5.D)
      • Describe conversations people have about money. (17.1.3-5.E)

  • Income

    • Grades 3 to 5

      • Describe how people earn income through entrepreneurship and supplemental employment. (17.2.3-5.G)

  • Spending

    • Grades 3 to 5

      • Explain factors that influence a person's spending decisions and the impact these has on how they prioritize their wants. (17.3.3-5.A)

Units

Unit #1 - Discovering Social Sciences

Unit #2 - The Northeast

Unit #3 - The Southeast

Unit #4 - The Midwest

Unit #5 - The Southwest

Unit #6 - The West

Unit #7 - Government of Your State

Unit #8 - Economics/Junior Achievement/Financial Literacy

Course Resources

TCi Units
Discovery Ed
Brainpop
Scholastic News or Time for Kids (dependent on school order)
Lesson for PA content in the Northeast