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Social Studies Curriculum Social Studies - 4th Grade
Lesson Plans

Standard 2

Students will understand how Utah's history has been shaped by many diverse people, events, and ideas.

Objective 1

Describe the historical and current impact of various cultural groups on Utah.
  • Angel Island
    Students will learn about the importance and impact of immigration to the building of the United States of America.
  • Connecting to Utah's Diversity
    Students will learn about their own heritage by filling in an outline and then creating a poster.

    Enduring Understanding:
    • Students will understand that each person's background is diverse and contributes to Utah's culture both past and present.
    • We enjoy a much richer culture because of the diversity of our heritage.
    Enduring Question:
    • How does our diverse heritage and culture help shape Utah's culture.
  • How the Meanings of Colors Transmit Navajo Culture
    Students will be able to identify the four colors important to the Navajos and understand how these colors represent different elements of Navajo culture. They will also be able to understand how values and beliefs associated with color help transmit culture from one generation to the next.
  • I'm Going on an Immigration
    Students learn about the experience of being an immigrant, which requires the traveler to plan for the journey, to pack, and to make difficult decisions. People from many cultures have created trunks or others containers to hold their belongings while they travel. The size of the carrying device limits the number of personal possessions, mementos, and material goods brought from home to begin a new life.
  • Japanese Internment
    Students will learn how various environmental and cultural changes impacted the treatment of Japanese Americans in Utah.
  • NHMU: The Fremont People
    After learning about the Fremont people, students will make their own Fremont-Style pottery.
  • Rethinking First Contact: the Effects of European...
    The student will combine their knowledge of Christopher Columbus with information about first contact among the Great Basin tribes to understand the many consequences of contact between Indians and Europeans in the Great Basin.
  • Shoshone Seasonal Land Use and Culture
    The student will be able to analyze the relationship between the culture and environments of the Northwestern Shoshones. The student will also understand the importance of oral tradition to the transmission of Shoshone culture.
  • Social Studies: Quilts
    This is the 3rd lesson in a unit where the students learn about a moment in history then create a geometric symbol as a quilt block representing that moment. Students will evaluate, select and extract information and fill in a graphic organizer on their topic. The unit outline is included as an attachment.
  • Storytelling in the Transmission of Goshute Culture
    The student will be able to identify important elements of Goshute culture through their oral tradition.
  • The Art & Technology of Utah's 5 Unique Indian Cultures
    The student will be able to connect the artistry and innovation of Utah's five tribes to their history and culture.
  • The Bear Dance as an Expression of Ute Culture
    The student will learn about Ute culture by investigating the Bear Dance tradition.
  • The Trade Economy of the Southern Paiutes
    The student will be able to identify the subsistence practices of the Southern Paiutes and analyze the economic and social connections between the different bands of Southern Paiutes in Utah.
  • Ute Indians: Past and Present
    Students will become familiar with the Ute Indians both past and present.

    Enduring Understandings:
    • Who the Ute Indians were and their significance in Utah history.
    • What the Ute culture was like before European expansion.
    • How things are different today for the Ute Indians today compared to the past.


UEN logo http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Robert  Austin and see the Social Studies website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - Jennifer  Throndsen.

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Board of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Board of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.