4th grade Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in 4th grade social studies in the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards, and simple things to try at home.
Focus areas this year
- Theme: The Contemporary World
- World regions, countries and states
- Resources, farming, energy and trade
- Migration and global issues
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
States & Capitals
The capital cities of the 50 states, and major rivers, mountains and lakes of the United States.
World Regions
Practices using maps to find continents, countries and regions of the world, how climate and resources shape how people live, and why people move between regions today.
World Maps & Globes
Practices reading world maps and globes: the parts of a map, latitude and longitude, hemispheres, map projections and asking spatial questions, with places in Minnesota and around the world.
Resources & Regions
Practices how limited natural resources make people choose how to use them, what farming and energy regions need, how incentives and productivity work, and why different places make different goods and trade.
People on the Move
Practices why people migrate (push and pull factors), immigrants and refugees, how governments respond to immigration, the harm done by stereotypes, colonization and discrimination, and how communities welcome newcomers.
Issues in Our World
Practices how climate change and human choices affect places from local to global, how to investigate a world issue with questions, sources and timelines, and how groups build consensus and elected leaders respond.
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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards 4th grade social studies units include States & Capitals, World Regions, World Maps & Globes, Resources & Regions, People on the Move, Issues in Our World.
Free printable 4th grade social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.