Overview
From the Curriculum Framework Prince William County Schools:
In 2008, the Prince William County School Board approved a change of courses for grades five through eight resulting in the creation of a North American Geography course for fifth grade students. A course outline was created by curriculum specialists and university geographers. The outline was presented to PWCS teachers for their input. A committee of fifth grade teachers created and revised a curriculum framework with essential learnings. This curriculum was approved by the School Board in March, 2009. Slight revisions were made in 2010.
The standards in fifth grade focus student learning on the geography of North America. The course begins with an intensive review of map and globe skills and geographic concepts. Using these skills and the five themes of geography, students will study five United States regions, and explore neighboring countries of Canada, Mexico, Central American nations, and the Caribbean Islands. Students will be given the opportunity to compare and contrast regions and countries of North America. Teachers will be able to highlight sites that represent the cultural characteristics of each region to provide students with a sense of what life in the regions is like today.
In 2008, the Prince William County School Board approved a change of courses for grades five through eight resulting in the creation of a North American Geography course for fifth grade students. A course outline was created by curriculum specialists and university geographers. The outline was presented to PWCS teachers for their input. A committee of fifth grade teachers created and revised a curriculum framework with essential learnings. This curriculum was approved by the School Board in March, 2009. Slight revisions were made in 2010.
The standards in fifth grade focus student learning on the geography of North America. The course begins with an intensive review of map and globe skills and geographic concepts. Using these skills and the five themes of geography, students will study five United States regions, and explore neighboring countries of Canada, Mexico, Central American nations, and the Caribbean Islands. Students will be given the opportunity to compare and contrast regions and countries of North America. Teachers will be able to highlight sites that represent the cultural characteristics of each region to provide students with a sense of what life in the regions is like today.