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History, Civics & Social Studies · Grade 4

An Evidence-Based State History Project

In this capstone project, fourth graders investigate a real Illinois question: why did Chicago grow from a small town in 1840 into the largest city in the Midwest by 1890? They plan the inquiry, analyze census data comparing Chicago and St. Louis, a 1914 poem by Carl Sandburg and summaries of the canal, railroads and the 1871 fire, then write and present an argument with a claim, cited evidence and a counterclaim.

  • 4 lessons
  • About 100 minutes
  • State history project check: 9 questions
  • Ways to answer: choose an answer, highlight a text, match pairs, type a number, put in order and sort into groups
See plans Included with Family, Teacher and School plans. Open in PlayOwl

What learners will discover

  • Develop a compelling question, supporting questions and a plan for which sources will help answer them.
  • Analyze and corroborate evidence from data, a primary source and secondary summaries, judging what each source can and cannot show.
  • Write and present an argument with a claim, cited evidence, reasoning and a response to a counterclaim.

Lessons

  1. Plan the investigation 3 steps2 practiceabout 22 min
  2. Analyze the evidence 6 steps3 practiceabout 28 min
  3. Build the argument 4 steps3 practiceabout 26 min
  4. Present and reflect 4 steps2 practiceabout 24 min
  5. State history project check 9 questions at the end

Keep exploring

More 4th grade social studies

Guide for grown-ups