5th grade Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in 5th grade social studies in the Oregon State Standards, and simple things to try at home.
Focus areas this year
- Colonial and early United States history to 1800
- Founding documents and government
- Geography of the United States
Easy ways to practice social studies at home
- Follow a current event together and ask who is affected and why people see it differently.
- Build a timeline of a family event or a historical topic they are studying.
- Use an atlas or online map to trace a trade or travel route.
- Ask “Whose voice is missing from this story?” when reading about the past.
What each unit covers
Nations Before Contact
The many distinct Native nations of North America before contact and how they lived in different regions, their governments and trade, and how they shaped the early United States. Native nations are living communities today.
Encounters & Colonization
European exploration and colonization from 1492 to the 1700s, the Columbian Exchange, cooperation and conflict between Native nations and Spanish, French and English colonists, and the effects of conquest and assimilation.
The 13 Colonies
The geography of New England, the Middle and the Southern colonies, why colonies were founded, mercantilism and specialization, and early self-government.
Slavery & Resistance
The transatlantic slave trade and slavery in the colonies, the enslavement of Indigenous people, the many ways enslaved people resisted, gradual abolition in the North and people who fought for freedom. Told plainly and age-appropriately.
The American Revolution
Causes of the Revolution from 1763, the Declaration of Independence, key battles, the Treaty of Paris, and the different perspectives of Patriots, Loyalists, enslaved people, women and Native nations.
Constitution & Bill of Rights
Why the Articles of Confederation were replaced, the Preamble, the three branches and checks and balances, the Bill of Rights (1791), and who was left out of rights in 1789.
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.
Colonies to Constitution
Ordering events from Columbus to the Bill of Rights, including slavery and resistance, to see causes and effects over time.
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.
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 Oregon report card guide.
Common questions
Follow a current event together and ask who is affected and why people see it differently. Build a timeline of a family event or a historical topic they are studying. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
The Oregon State Standards 5th grade social studies units include Nations Before Contact, Encounters & Colonization, The 13 Colonies, Slavery & Resistance, The American Revolution, Constitution & Bill of Rights.
Free printable 5th grade social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.