4年生と5年生の社会科！歴史、地理、政治。4年生と5年生の楽しい授業

Hello! My name is Kara, but my students call me Mrs. A. Thanks so much for stopping by! In my 4th and 5th grade social studies course, we journey through U.S. History in a variety of fun and exciting formats. We accomplish learning goals in geography, government, economics, and history while making learning engaging and memorable.

Students explore history from ancient times through today, analyze historical impacts, and develop a meaningful understanding of how everything is connected. Whether investigating cultural traditions, debating real events, or analyzing primary sources, students sharpen their critical thinking and communication skills with each lesson. Parents describe my classes as interactive, fun, collaborative, and engaging for all types of learners. Many have said it's the most socially-focused class they've found!

I have my Masters in Teaching and a Bachelors in Elementary Education (K-6) and have designed an authentic curriculum specifically for my online students. I’ve followed National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) standards and analyzed social studies standards across all fifty states to ensure we meet both national and state-specific learning goals. The curriculum builds on what students learned in earlier grades but shifts toward higher-level thinking, multiple perspectives, primary source analysis, and cause-and-effect relationships in history. Instead of just learning WHAT happened, we dive into WHY it happened and why it matters.

What Makes This Class Unique?

My lessons are designed to be highly interactive, using breakout rooms, group projects, and simulations to bring history to life. Some class favorites include:
🔍 A digital scavenger hunt for primary-source artifacts detailing Native American cultures
🔄 A bartering simulation to experience scarcity in life before modern currency
🗺️ A mapping challenge on the transatlantic slave trade
🔒 A small group escape room, surviving life in Jamestown
🗣️ A spirited role-play about the Articles of Confederation
🎓 A trivia game about life on the Oregon Trail
🇺🇸 Character studies about a "freedom fighter" who had been formerly enslaved

Students practice building budgets, reading maps, making laws, analyzing multiple perspectives, and creating timelines of U.S. history. Through an inquiry-based approach, learners are encouraged to ask big questions, dig into research, and share their discoveries in creative ways. Whether your child loves to speak up or prefers to observe quietly, there’s a place for them here.
Here’s what each class will look like:

🍎 Welcome & Community Time: A warm greeting and time to connect.
🍎 Exploratory Questions: Spark discussions and ignite prior knowledge.
🍎 Key Lesson: Explore topics from history to geography, civics, and economics.
🍎 Engaging Activities: Games, escape rooms, scavenger hunts, and group projects.*
🍎 Recap & Homework: A quick review and an optional homework assignment.
🍎 Goodbye & Lesson Recap: Mrs. A posts a summary in the online classroom

*It is common for our class to go longer than 50 minutes due to the projects, presentations and group work. Please keep this in mind while scheduling. Class will never be shorter than 50 minutes, but will frequently be longer.


----FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS----

❓When does the course start and finish?
✓ This 38-week course begins in August and finishes in June, with 3 holiday breaks.

❓Is the homework required?
✓ Parents know best! Mrs. A entrusts parents with the decision on whether or not students are required to do the homework each week. Mrs. A highly recommends it for those who use this class as their main source of Social Studies education though, as many learning goals are fulfilled through these activities. Mrs. A will provide feedback each week.

❓What types of activities do you do in class?
✓ Large group lessons are guided by Canva slides, using visuals, discussions, and primary source artifacts. We do use breakout rooms almost every week to apply the learning in small group activities, projects, and games. Kids love love love this part of class! 

❓Can I join the class after the start date?
✓ Absolutely! While we do build upon past discussions, Social Studies isn’t like reading or math, where each lesson depends on mastering the one before it. Mrs. A will provide context and support to help new students jump in and participate right away!

❓What if I miss a class?
✓ No worries! Class recordings and homework assignments will always be posted in the classroom so you can make up the learning goals on your own time. 

❓How did you design the curriculum?
✓ Mrs. A has analyzed Social Studies state standards across the USA as well as the NCSS Learning Standards. She has developed this curriculum specifically for her online classroom and has received positive feedback from parents.

❓What are the teacher's credentials?
✓ Mrs. A has a Masters in Teaching and a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. She is licensed to teach in the state of Iowa and has studied best practices for Social Studies Education at the Masters level. She continues to participate in professional development each year.

© Copyright 2025, Kara Agyekum