Unit 1. Civics and Government 

Suggested Instructional Time: 4 weeks 

Driving Question:

Essential Questions:

Supporting Questions:

• How does our government meet our needs and how do we, as citizens serve our democracy?      

• What does it mean to be a citizen?

• What is the purpose of law?

• Why is a Constitution important? 

• How does our American republic's government work? 

• How does the United States government protect its people?

• How does the government assure a strong economy?

• How are government leaders chosen in a representative democracy?

• Why should citizens vote and participate in government?

• How can citizens support the common good?

• How do our rights as citizens depend upon our civic duties?

Unit 2. Geographic Concepts 

Suggested Instructional Time: 6-7 weeks 

Driving Question:

Essential Questions:

Supporting Questions:

• How can the tools of geography help us understand our nation’s physical and human features? 

• What are representations of the Earth and how do we use them?

• Why is it important to understand how landforms and waterbodies support people?

• How does where you live affect how you live?

• What do maps and globes reveal about the physical and human features of the United States? 

• What and where are the major landforms and waterbodies in the United States?

• What forces have shaped the physical features of our country?

• How do landforms and bodies of water influence the way regions developed?

• How does climate and weather affect the way people live?

Unit 3. Early Settlement of the United States 

Suggested Instructional Time: 6 weeks 

Driving Question:

Essential Questions:

Supporting Questions:

• What challenges and successes did early Americans experience as they settled major regions of the nation? 

• What causes conflict among people?

• Why do people move?

• How are cultures alike and different? 

• What caused conflict between American Indians and Europeans settlers?

• How did American Indians use the resources of their environments?

• How did Europeans modify and use the land where they settled?

• How have push and pull factors influenced major migrations and settlements of the United States?

• What challenges did early settlers face in developing the resources of major regions? 

Unit 4. The Northeast and Southeast Regions of the United States 

Suggested Instructional Time: 6 weeks 

Driving Question:

Essential Questions:

Supporting Questions:

• How have humans impacted their environment, bringing about change and development in the Northeast and Southeast regions?      

• What brings about change?

• Why are consumers and producers important?

• What is cultural diversity?

• How do the expanding metropolitan regions of the Northeast present opportunities, as well as challenges to human growth? 

• What are some advantages and disadvantages of early and present economic activities in the Northeast?

• How do producers and consumers use natural resources in the Southeast?

• To what extent does tourism contribute to economic growth in both regions?

• How can citizens protect the resources and environments of their communities?

Unit 5. The Midwest and Southwest Regions of the United States 

Suggested Instructional Time: 6 weeks 

Driving Question:

Essential Questions:

Supporting Questions:

• In what ways has geography affected human activities and growth of the Midwest and Southwest regions?

• How does human adaptation to the environment affect how people live?

• Why and how do people change their environments to support themselves?

• What are cultural traits and how do they affect how we live?

• What are the major landforms of the Midwest and how have they influenced development?

• How have American Indians adapted to the unique environments of the Midwest and Southwest?

• How have midwestern farmers made a living from the resources and climate of the Great Plains?

• Why are the rivers and tributaries of the Midwest region so important?

• What advantages and disadvantages arise from human management of water resources?

• What economic activities have helped the Great Lakes region grow?

• How have humans adapted and modified the semiarid environments of the Southwest?

• How have mineral resources of the Southwest contributed to the region’s growth? 

Unit 6. The West Regions of the United States 

Suggested Instructional Time: 6 weeks 

Driving Question:

Essential Questions:

Supporting Questions:

• How can citizens of the West use its resources wisely to provide economic opportunities for all citizens? 

• What are the costs and benefits of modifying the environment?

• Why are consumers and producers important to the growth of regions?

• Why is it important to recognize and respect cultural uniqueness of a region's people? 

• What are some major natural resources of the West and how have they created opportunities for growth?

• In what ways can alternate energy sources help people of the West?

• What factors influence the different climates of western states?

• How has agriculture developed and contributed to the economy of the West?

• How important are service industries and tourism to the growth of the West?

• How do national parks and reserves protect the West’s resources? 

• What impact has immigration had on the development and cultures of the West?