1st Grade Social Studies
Geographic Understandings
Unit 2
Our Earth:
Where are we?
Earth is huge! Earth has such a small place in the universe, and we are even smaller. Sometimes, you may wonder where are we on the Earth.
We live in North America! We are in the Western Hemisphere of the Earth. In North America, there are three countries- Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America. We live in the United States!
There are 50 states in the United States. We live in Georgia!
The Continents
There are seven continents! The continents are North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Antarctica, and Australia.
The Oceans
There are four major oceans! The oceans are the Arctic, Atlantic, Pacific, and the Indian Ocean. Some also say there is a fifth, the Southern Ocean, but it is usually said that it is just those original four!
Geographical History
The Thirteen Colonies
Before the United States were established, there were the thirteen American colonies!
The thirteen colonies were New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
These colonies were occupied by Britain and its king, King George the Third. King George unfairly treated the people of the colonies, and it caused the people to revolt and start the American Revolution!
During the American Revolution, there were many prominent, historical figures! As you have learned, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson were very important during the American Revolution. They both worked on the Declaration of Independence and laid the foundations for America.
The American Frontier
The American Frontier was the travel west by America to get new territories in North America. Leaders of America moved westward across North America to explore, conquer, and learn about the new areas!
One part of America's westward movement was the Louisiana Purchase. As you learned, Thomas Jefferson made the Louisiana purchase and doubled the land of America at the time.
When he got this new area, he sent explorers Lewis and Clark to explore and learn about the new lands. On this expedition, they were assisted by Sacagawea, a Native American woman, who showed them how to go through the land!
National Parks
After he was elected president in 1901, Theodore Roosevelt focused on conserving the environment of America.
While protecting several forests, reserves and monuments, Roosevelt also established several national parks.
Roosevelt also developed and signed many conservation acts. These acts have preserved the beauty of America.
Because of his efforts, America has conserved some of its environment and has continued to establish National Parks that have attracted people all over the world. These parks have been home to a variety of wildlife and plants!
The South
After losing the Civil War in the fight to keep slavery, the South was forced to abolish slavery. But still, heavy racism stayed. The South discriminated African Americans very much. Public areas, schools, and buses were segregated which means they seperate blacks and whites.
Much of the South was segregated. This means they seperated blacks and whites.
Racism against African Americans was very bad and it stopped them from having the same freedoms as white people. For example, Ruby Bridges wasn't allowed to attend the same schools and receive the same education as the white children. When Bridges did attend and integrate (combine blacks and whites) the school, she was the target of racism and hate.
As you learned, George Washington Carver was an important scientist and inventor who was very important in agriculture. Carver was also the victim of racism in the South.
Both Bridges and Carver were very discriminated in the South, and they both became prominent figures in the African American movements of history.
