Social Studies Update 

Students will take the Earth Science Post-Test on Monday.  

History: My Community in the Past This week, we will begin our new Social Studies unit My Community in the Past, where students explore how people, cultures, and communities have changed over time. We’ll kick off the unit with three foundational lessons that help students understand why people move, how immigration has shaped our country, and how we learn about the past. 

What We’re Learning This Week 

Tuesday – Lesson 1: A Family Moves 

We will begin our unit by asking: “Why do people move to different places?” 

Students will discuss reasons families move—such as new opportunities or joining loved ones—and how people bring their home culture with them when they move. This helps students understand that migration influences the communities we live in today. 

Wednesday – Lesson 2: Coming to America (Ellis Island & Angel Island) 

Students will explore how immigration has changed over time. We will learn that the experience was different depending on whether people arrived through Ellis Island or Angel Island, and we’ll discuss why people chose to immigrate. Students will analyze images and share observations about what life may have been like for newcomers long ago. 

Thursday – Lesson 2 Extension: Immigration Mini Book 
Using a nonfiction mini book, students will learn more about the immigration process, answer comprehension questions, and deepen their understanding of why people came to America and what their journeys were like. 

Friday – Service Learning: Guest Speaker 

We’ll welcome a community guest speaker to share about their job and how they help our community. Students will listen, ask questions, and reflect on the important role community helpers play—connecting our social studies learning with our ongoing service-learning project. 

This week, students are diving into an exciting unit all about communities, land use, and geography. They will explore different types of maps and begin identifying landforms and other map features that help explain why people choose to live in certain areas. As part of this learning, students will use a map of New York City to better understand how cities are planned and why people settle in specific locations. They will also read a book that explores the question: Why do people live where they live?—focusing on the resources and needs that influence those decisions.

In addition, students will learn the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources and discuss why these resources are important for the survival and success of communities. They will explore how land is used in a variety of ways—whether for homes, businesses, parks, or farms—and begin to notice how each community may prioritize land use differently based on its needs.

As part of this exploration, we will also be comparing rural, urban, and suburban communities. By understanding the unique characteristics of each, students will begin to recognize what defines their own community and how it may differ from others. Through these lessons, they will gain a better understanding of how communities are formed, what makes them thrive, and why thoughtful planning and resource use are essential no matter where people live.