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Independence Hall with a statue in autumn, Maryland state seal, and a number 4 in the lower left corner.
Social Studies Alive!

4th Grade (MD Edition)

The country's story starts before the country does. Students study the land itself, how Native Americans adapted to it, why Europeans crossed the Atlantic, and how the colonies came to declare independence.

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What Students Will Explore

Unit 1

America's Geographic Setting

America's geographic setting opens with the geography of the United States and how Native Americans adapted to different environments. Students match photographs to cultural regions, examine artifacts to learn what drove European exploration, and prepare a presentation on one explorer.

Unit 2

Colonial Times

Colonial times begin with European art depicting life in the early English settlements. Students compare six settlements alongside diverse historical perspectives, study primary sources on the enslavement of Africans in the Americas, and visit exhibits on government, religion, and society in colonial Williamsburg.

Unit 3

The American Revolution

The Revolution traces the events that raised tensions with Great Britain. Students debate as Loyalists and Patriots, rewrite key passages of the Declaration of Independence in everyday language, and experience the war through a game of tug-of-war.

Explore the Program

  • View the Scope and Sequence

    See every unit and lesson at a glance — compelling questions, objectives, and how content builds across History, Geography, Civics, and Economics.

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  • Review Correlations

    See exactly how the program aligns to your state standards, with direct links to the text, activities, and assessments tied to each one.

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Student Materials

  • A statue and large brick building with a clock tower, trees, and a blue sky on a 4th grade Social Studies journal cover.

    Student Journal

    The colorful, easy-to-use, print consumable Student Journal combines standards-based content and rich activities to support student learning. Students will make personal connections that allow them to develop a deep understanding of key social studies content while building critical social studies and ELA skills. Also available in Spanish.

Teacher Materials

  • A statue of a man in colonial attire stands on a pedestal, featured on the cover of a Social Studies teachers guide.

    Teacher's Guide

    Teacher's Guide supports everything from lesson planning to grading—step-by-step procedures, time estimates, differentiation strategies, and answer keys, ready to use offline or as a quick reference while teaching.

  • Red cover of Social Studies Alive! Americas Past Activity Cards, third edition, with a statue photo in the top right.

    Activity Cards

    The Activity Cards are laminated, reusable cards that contain vibrant, interactive content for students. The cards include large maps, game boards, and manipulatives that can be cut out and be reused year after year. Also available in Spanish.

Reviews & Recognition

At TCI, we don't just say our programs work — we invite independent reviewers to put them to the test. Our social studies and science programs are reviewed by respected third-party organizations that analyze our resources for quality, effectiveness, and alignment with standards.

In addition to national recognition, our programs are reviewed and approved by individual states to ensure they meet specific requirements and standards. We also participate in landscape analyses that compare our offerings with those of other leading programs, so educators and districts can make informed choices.

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