In this Grade 4 lesson from Social Studies Alive! Regions of Our Country, students explore the four core social sciences — economics, geography, political science, and history — learning what each field studies and how social scientists use observations, questions, written records, and artifacts to understand how people live in groups. Students practice identifying definitions for each discipline and connecting real-world objects to social science concepts.
Section 1
Scientists Study How People Live Together
Have you ever wondered why people live in towns or follow certain rules? Social science is the study that helps us answer these big questions. It focuses on understanding people and how they live together.
Social scientists look at how people act in groups. A group can be as small as a family or a sports team. It can also be as large as a whole country.
Section 2
People Use Resources to Meet Needs
Everyone has things they need to live, like food and a home. People also have things they want, like a new bike or a video game. These are called needs and wants.
To get these things, people use resources. Resources are all the things available to make what we need and want. This includes natural things like wood and water, and also people's skills and time.
Section 3
Geographers Study Earth's Features
Geography is the study of our world and what makes each place special. Geographers ask questions about the land, water, and air. They also ask questions about the people who live in these places.
Geographers look at two main kinds of things. They study natural features, which are parts of the Earth made by nature, like mountains and rivers. They also study human features, which are things built by people, like towns, roads, and bridges.
Section 4
Political Scientists Study Governments
Every community, from a small town to a big country, needs rules to work well. The group in charge of making and carrying out these rules is called a government.
Governments create laws to help keep people safe and make sure things are fair. They also provide services that everyone can use, like roads and parks.
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Section 1
Scientists Study How People Live Together
Have you ever wondered why people live in towns or follow certain rules? Social science is the study that helps us answer these big questions. It focuses on understanding people and how they live together.
Social scientists look at how people act in groups. A group can be as small as a family or a sports team. It can also be as large as a whole country.
Section 2
People Use Resources to Meet Needs
Everyone has things they need to live, like food and a home. People also have things they want, like a new bike or a video game. These are called needs and wants.
To get these things, people use resources. Resources are all the things available to make what we need and want. This includes natural things like wood and water, and also people's skills and time.
Section 3
Geographers Study Earth's Features
Geography is the study of our world and what makes each place special. Geographers ask questions about the land, water, and air. They also ask questions about the people who live in these places.
Geographers look at two main kinds of things. They study natural features, which are parts of the Earth made by nature, like mountains and rivers. They also study human features, which are things built by people, like towns, roads, and bridges.
Section 4
Political Scientists Study Governments
Every community, from a small town to a big country, needs rules to work well. The group in charge of making and carrying out these rules is called a government.
Governments create laws to help keep people safe and make sure things are fair. They also provide services that everyone can use, like roads and parks.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter