Standards

• [National Council for the Social Studies] D2.Geo.2.3-5 - Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions and their environmental characteristics.
• [California] 2.2.1 - Locate on a simple letter-number grid system the specific locations and geographic features in their neighborhood or community (e.g., map of the classroom, the school).
• [California] 2.2.2 - Label from memory a simple map of the North American continent, including the countries, oceans, Great Lakes, major rivers, and mountain ranges. Identify the essential map elements: title, legend, directional indicator, scale, and date.
• [California] 2.2.3 - Locate on a map where their ancestors live (d), telling when the family moved to the local community and how and why they made the trip.
• [California] RI.2.1 - Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
• [California] RI.2.2 - Identify the main topic of a multiparagraph text as well as the focus of specific paragraphs within the text.
• [California] RI.2.7 - Explain how specific images (e.g., a diagram showing how a machine works) contribute to and clarify a text.
• [California] W.2.2 - Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or section.
• [California] SL.2.1 - Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
• [California] SL.2.4 - Tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking audibly in coherent sentences.
• [California] RI.3.1 - Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.
• [California] RI.3.2 - Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea.
• [California] RI.3.7 - Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).
• [California] W.3.2 - Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
• [California] W.3.7 - Conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic.
• [California] SL.3.1 - Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
• [California] SL.3.4 - Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.
• [California] RI.4.1 - Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
• [California] RI.4.2 - Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.
• [California] RI.4.4 - Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area. (See grade 4 Language standards 4–6 for additional expectations.)
• [California] RI.4.7 - Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.
• [California] W.4.2 - Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
• [California] W.4.7 - Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
• [California] W.4.8 - Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; take notes, paraphrase, and categorize information, and provide a list of sources.
• [California] 3.1.1 - Identify geographical features in their local region (e.g., deserts, mountains, valleys, hills, coastal areas, oceans, lakes).
• [California] 3.1.2 - Trace the ways in which people have used the resources of the local region and modified the physical environment (e.g., a dam constructed upstream changed a river or coastline).

Competencies

• Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
• Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
• Content Expertise - Students develop key competencies, skills, and dispositions with ample opportunities to apply knowledge and engage in work that matters to them.
• Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.
• Collaboration - Students co-design projects with peers, exercise shared-decision making, strengthen relational agency, resolve conflict, and assume leadership roles.