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Social Studies Curriculum Social Studies - 4th Grade
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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.

  • Coyote Steals Fire
    This lesson is written in partnership with and approved by the Northwestern Shoshone cultural specialist Patty Timbimboo-Madsen. Student will learn about the history and culture of the Northwestern Shoshone people. Paint a watercolor landscape of an environment with Utah wildlife.
  • Cultural Contributions
    This program introduces students to the field of archeology and its role in preserving our human past. Students experiment with making cordage, rock art, and pottery. Students learn how to enjoy archeological sites without damaging them and are introduced to some of the threats to preserving past cultures, such as vandalism of archeological living sites and rock art.
  • Dominguez and Escalante Expedition 1776
    Maps and information about the Dominguez and Escalante Expedition 1776 from the Uintah Basin-Teaching American History project.
  • Heritage Gateways
    This is the official Utah sesquicentennial web site for K-12 education. It features information about the Mormon Pioneer Trail as well as interaction with the modern-day pioneers on the trail during the 1997 summer months
  • Historical Pioneer Journals
    This collection of Historical Pioneer Journals includes James Armitstead, William Clayton, Eliza Roxcy Snow, Hosea Stout, and Brigham Young.
  • I Love History
    Kids can find historical facts, photos, quizzes, and lots of fun things on the Utah History for Kids web site.
  • Immigration: Stories of Yesterday and Today
    Find out what it means to come to the United States as an immigrant from the early 20th century through the early 21st century.
  • Kearns Mansion: Interactive Game
    Learn about the Kearns family and life in turn-of-the-century Utah as you solve clues to find the five silver coins hidden in the Kearns Mansion in an online, interactive game.
  • Trails of Hope: Overland Diaries and Letters
    Trails of Hope: Overland Diaries and Letters, 1846-1869 is a collection of the original writings of 49 voyagers on the Mormon, California, Oregon, and Montana trails who wrote while traveling on the trail. The collection also includes interactive maps of the area traveled by these pioneers.
  • Utah History to Go: Utah Chapters of History
    Different chapters of Utah History including: The Beautiful Country; Uninhabited The Land, Utah's First People-American Indians; Trappers, Traders, & Explorers; This is the Place-Pioneers & Cowboys; The Road to Industrialization-Mining & Railroads; A New Century-Statehood & the Progressive Era; The Fight For Freedom & Prosperity-From War to War; Bedroom Communities & Commuting-Utah Today.
  • Utah Natives Collection of History Pictures
    This collection of resources and websites helps to see the similarities and differences between the different American Indian groups of Utah. A huge amount of Information about the tribes past and present, with pictures.
  • Why the Moon Paints Her Face Black
    This lesson was written in partnership with Dorena Martineau, the Paiute Cultural Resource Director, and was approved by the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utahs Tribal Council. Storytelling has been and continues to be a powerful tool used by Native American tribes to pass down cultural values, beliefs, and traditions. The winter season for many tribes is the time to gather and tell stories. The stories are passed down from one generation to the next and binds the members of the tribe together. Most stories teach a lesson or explain how things came to be. Entertaining your audience while sharing stories is a key element to this oral tradition. The Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah is pleased to share this book with the children of Utah. It is their hope that the book will be used to open doors to studying the ways of the Paiute and also to study the wonders of the sky.
  • World Atlas Utah Timeline
    This timeline from World Atlas.org highlights major events in Utah's history. There are additional links to additional Utah history, maps and symbols.


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.