A Changing AmericaA Changing America

Exploring the ThemeExploring the Theme

In this unit we will have an opportunity to In this unit we will have an opportunity to learn and investigate the following:learn and investigate the following:to explore the very beginnings of our to explore the very beginnings of our countrycountryto become more familiar with the to become more familiar with the settlements of the statessettlements of the statesto track the progression of people from the to track the progression of people from the East coast to the West coast over a period East coast to the West coast over a period of time.of time.

IntroductionIntroduction

First were the Native Americans. Different tribes First were the Native Americans. Different tribes and societies occupied parts of North America. and societies occupied parts of North America. Then the Europeans came and began to set up Then the Europeans came and began to set up colonies. That was more than 150 years before colonies. That was more than 150 years before the U.S. came into being. It wasn’t all log cabins the U.S. came into being. It wasn’t all log cabins and teepees and battles over territory. A society and teepees and battles over territory. A society grew up that led to the America we know today. grew up that led to the America we know today. So…it’s your history---even if your ancestors So…it’s your history---even if your ancestors didn’t come over on the Mayflower!didn’t come over on the Mayflower!

Activating Prior KnowledgeActivating Prior Knowledge

What do you already know about What do you already know about American history?American history?

What do you think is the most important What do you think is the most important part of American history?part of American history?

Have you read any books about American Have you read any books about American history?history?

Discussing the Read AloudDiscussing the Read Aloud

Where were the thirteen colonies located?Where were the thirteen colonies located?In the eastern part of the countryIn the eastern part of the country

If you were an early colonists, what foods would If you were an early colonists, what foods would you eat?you eat?

maize, potatoes, some European plants, fish, maize, potatoes, some European plants, fish, and wild gameand wild game

How would you get a place to live? How would you get a place to live? You would build it?You would build it?

Where would you get the materials needed to Where would you get the materials needed to build your house?build your house?

cut the lumber in the forestcut the lumber in the forest

Genre: Expository TextGenre: Expository Text

The purpose of expository text is to share information The purpose of expository text is to share information with the reader or to persuade the reader to think or act with the reader or to persuade the reader to think or act a certain waya certain wayFacts about real people or real events are often includedFacts about real people or real events are often includedInformation is presented in a straight forward way.Information is presented in a straight forward way.Events are presented in the order in which they Events are presented in the order in which they happened, or steps are written in the order in which they happened, or steps are written in the order in which they should be done.should be done.The writing may be organized by topics.The writing may be organized by topics.Diagrams, photographs, maps, or other illustrations may Diagrams, photographs, maps, or other illustrations may be included to help the reader understand the subject be included to help the reader understand the subject better.better.

Inquiry ConnectionsInquiry Connections

Concept /Question BoardConcept /Question BoardThe colonists had to face many hardships in The colonists had to face many hardships in

America. America.

Think about hardships that you or your family Think about hardships that you or your family have faced. Were they the some of the same have faced. Were they the some of the same things that the colonists endured? Were they things that the colonists endured? Were they

different?different?

Native Americans helped settlers from Native Americans helped settlers from different cultures and different heritages different cultures and different heritages build several thriving communities.build several thriving communities.

We are all from different cultures and We are all from different cultures and heritages. Think about some of the people heritages. Think about some of the people who have helped you or your family. How who have helped you or your family. How did they help and how did you feel about did they help and how did you feel about it?it?