This colorful, student-friendly program introduces students to social studies, while drawing them into the realization that they, too, are part of history and society.
Children learn of faithful Catholics who dramatically impacted and are impacting the development of our country: from government leaders; to doctors who served the poor; to Native American Catholics; to religious who saved a western town from outlaws. As students learn, they are guided to think of ways that Our Lord might be calling them to change society, and history, as well.
The Our USA program (text and workbook) includes these features:
- investigation of U.S. history and social studies
- geography and map study
- hands-on “living learning” activities
- worksheets and tests to complement lessons
- nine-week, in-depth, hands-on state study of the student’s own state
- study tips as students begin to transition from primary to middle school work
- writing tips as students begin to transition from primary to middle school work
A fourth-grade course on the United States of America that is full-color, Catholic, and current! The author's engaging text introduces students to the geography, history, economy, and culture of all fifty states, as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. territories. In addition, students will study in-depth the history, culture, and Catholic heritage of 20 featured states in four regions of the United States: the Northeastern Region, the Midwestern Region, the Southern Region, and the Western Region.
Each of the featured states is accompanied by a "Catholic Heritage" chapter, which tells the story of an American Catholic hero such as St. Isaac Jogues, Jesuit martyr; Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence; St. Junipero Serra, the Father of California; Servant of God Frank Parater, a boy scout from Virginia; and Sr. Blandina Segale, who saved Santa Fe from Billy the Kid.
Meanwhile, "Mysteries of History," "A Nation Built by Immigrants," and "Did You Know?" sidebars introduce students to people and topics such as the Bill of Rights, Haym Salomon, Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys, the Pony Express, the Industrial Revolution, and the Mason-Dixon Line.
The Student Workbook provides exercises, enrichment activities, reviews and tests, and a complete answer key. The Student Workbook concludes with a step-by-step, 40-page guide to exploring the history, geography, economy, and culture of the student's own state. By the end of this nine-week "State Study," the student will have put together a written and oral report on his state, illustrated by maps, photos of field trips, and drawings of the state flag, bird, and flower. Extra: While the student is gaining an in-depth knowledge of his own state, he will also be learning valuable researching and writing skills!
Full-color Student Text: 210 pgs. Softcover. 8½”x 11”
Student Workbook: 132 pgs. Softcover. 8½”x 11”
Recommended core text in CHC Lesson Plans: Fourth Grade. Tour this title in the Fourth Grade Interactive Guide!
A single-subject lesson plan is also available here.
About the Author
Oliver Corrigan holds a Master of Science in Secondary Education from the University of Akron. He teaches social studies at a school for children with special needs in Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his beautiful wife Laura, and their five equally beautiful children: Daniel, Philip, Kathleen, Veronica and Brigid.
