4th grade Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in 4th grade social studies in the California Content Standards, and simple things to try at home.
Focus areas this year
- California: a changing state
- California's regions and California Indian nations
- Missions and ranchos, the Gold Rush, statehood and growth
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
Latitude & Longitude
Using latitude and longitude to find places in California and the world, and the poles, equator, prime meridian, tropics and hemispheres.
California's Land & Regions
Sacramento and the coast, mountains, Central Valley and desert regions; the Pacific, rivers, valleys and mountain passes; and how land and climate shape where Californians live and work.
California Indian Nations
Some of California's many Indian nations, such as the Chumash, Tongva, Ohlone, Kumeyaay, Cahuilla, Mojave, Pomo, Yurok, Hupa, Karuk, Miwok and Yokuts: where they live, how they use and care for the land, trade, and tribal governments today. Light, in the present tense, and with nothing sacred or ceremonial.
Missions, Presidios & Ranchos
Early explorers, the Spanish missions, presidios and pueblos, the great harm the mission system did to California Indian peoples and their resistance, Mexican independence and the rancho era. Told plainly and balanced, with California Indian nations as living communities today.
Gold Rush & Statehood
Routes to California, the Gold Rush and its effects on settlements, newcomers and California Indians, Biddy Mason and other women of early California, the Bear Flag Revolt, the 1849 constitution and statehood in 1850.
A Growing State
The Pony Express, telegraph and transcontinental railroad, immigration and migration (including the Chinese Exclusion Act, Angel Island and the Dust Bowl), World War II, California's water system, public education and new industries from farming to technology.
Governing California
The US and California constitutions, the governor, the 40-member Senate and 80-member Assembly, the state Supreme Court, counties, cities, school and special districts, tribal governments, ballot propositions and which powers belong to each level of government.
California Through Time
Ordering events in California's history, from the first European ships and the missions to the Gold Rush, statehood, the railroad and the 1900s.
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 California 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 California Content Standards 4th grade social studies units include Latitude & Longitude, California's Land & Regions, California Indian Nations, Missions, Presidios & Ranchos, Gold Rush & Statehood, A Growing State.
Free printable 4th grade social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.