4th grade Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in 4th grade social studies in the Alaska content standards, and simple things to try at home.
Focus areas this year
- Regions of the United States
- Alaska's industries and its place in the nation
- Maps, sources and money
Easy ways to practice social studies at home
- Look at a map of your community and find places you visit.
- Ask an older relative or neighbor what the area was like when they were young.
- Read stories from many communities, including Indigenous authors, and talk about what is the same and different.
- Talk about how rules and jobs help a community work.
What each unit covers
World Maps & Globes
Continents and oceans, hemispheres, latitude and longitude, map scale, projections and kinds of maps.
History Detective
Primary and secondary sources, timelines and centuries, fact and opinion, claims and evidence, and judging a source by its maker, date and purpose, using early American history.
States & Capitals
The capital cities of the 50 states, and major rivers, mountains and lakes of the United States.
Earning & Saving
Making a savings plan for a goal, estimating what a youth business can earn, income, expenses and profit, incentives, career choices and why people save differently.
Regions of the United States
The five regions of the United States (Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest and West) and how their land, climate and resources shape the work people do, with natural resources, human capital and physical capital, and why regions trade.
Alaska and the Nation
Alaska's industries (oil and gas, fishing, mining, tourism and the military), how its regions and cities grew, Alaska Time and other US time zones, shipping and the cost of goods, and how national and world events like World War II and oil prices reach Alaska.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Beginning
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practicing the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the Alaska report card guide.
Common questions
Look at a map of your community and find places you visit. Ask an older relative or neighbor what the area was like when they were young. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
The Alaska content standards 4th grade social studies units include World Maps & Globes, History Detective, States & Capitals, Earning & Saving, Regions of the United States, Alaska and the Nation.
Free printable 4th grade social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.