Standard 1: The World in Spatial Terms

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General Information
Number: SS.5.G.1
Title: The World in Spatial Terms
Type: Standard
Subject: Social Studies
Grade: 5
Strand: Geography

Related Benchmarks

This cluster includes the following benchmarks.

Related Access Points

This cluster includes the following access points.

Access Points

SS.5.G.1.AP.1
Recognize current and historical information using selected geographic tools.
SS.5.G.1.AP.2
Use a coordinate grid on a map to locate places.
SS.5.G.1.AP.3
Recognize major physical features on a map of the United States.
SS.5.G.1.AP.4
Complete a map, chart, or graph to display geographic information.
SS.5.G.1.AP.5
Identify an original colony on a map of the United States.
SS.5.G.1.AP.6
Identify selected states and their capitals on a map.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this topic.

Lesson Plans

Learning About U.S. States & Capitals: Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska:

In this lesson, students will learn the locations of four different states – Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska – as well as the capital cities of each state.  Students will conduct research to learn more about these four states and will record their information in a packet.  The teacher will also review the concept of federalism to reinforce why each state has its own government and capital.  To close the lesson, students will create a travel brochure for one of the states. 

Type: Lesson Plan

Learning About U.S. States & Capitals: Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico:

In this lesson, students will learn the locations of five different states – Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico – as well as the capital cities of each state.  Students will conduct research to learn more about these five states and will record their information in a packet.  The teacher will also review the concept of federalism to reinforce why each state has its own government and capital.  To close the lesson, students will need to label the states and their capitals on a blank map of the United States.

Type: Lesson Plan

Learning About U.S. States & Capitals: Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, and North Dakota:

In this lesson, students will learn the locations of five different states – Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, and North Dakota – as well as the capital cities of each state.  Students will conduct research to learn more about these five states and will record their information in a packet.  The teacher will also review the concept of federalism to reinforce why each state has its own government and capital.  To close the lesson, students will need to label the states and their capitals on a blank map of the United States.

Type: Lesson Plan

Learning About U.S. States & Capitals: California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii:

In this lesson, students will learn the locations of five different states – California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii – as well as the capital cities of each state.  Students will conduct research to learn more about these five states and will record their information in a packet.  The teacher will also review the concept of federalism to reinforce why each state has its own government and capital.  To close the lesson, students will need to label the states and their capitals on a blank map of the United States.

Type: Lesson Plan

The Articles of Confederation:

The purpose of this lesson is for students to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation while using primary and secondary sources that they will compare and contrast. The students will use the sources to explain through writing the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. The students will also identify and locate the original thirteen colonies.

Type: Lesson Plan

Where in the World:

In the first lesson, students will determine latitude, longitude, continents, and ocean on a world map and label them correctly. In the second lesson, the students will be "dropped" off at an unknown location and they will have to figure out where in the world they are based on the plants, animals, and climate of that location so that they can be rescued by Professor Sohn.

Type: Lesson Plan

Native American Tribes of the United States - Part I:

This two-lesson study of American History examines the different tribes and geographic regions that Native Americans inhabited in the United States. Students will learn briefly about each tribe and region during direct instruction and then, in small groups, conduct research on one tribe in depth. Part II of the lesson requires students to present their research to the class and compare their Native American tribe with one from another group presentation.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorials

U.S. States and Capitals: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York:

Learn about three states and their capitals, and their local food, by taking a trip to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

U.S. States and Capitals: West Virginia, Virginia, and Delaware:

Learn about three states and their capitals by taking a trip to West Virginia, Virginia, and Delaware in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

U.S. States and Capitals: California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii:

Identify the locations and state capitals of five U.S. states: California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii. With this interactive tutorial, you'll also learn why we have state capitals: because of federalism.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

U.S. States and Capitals: Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin:

Learn more about three U.S. states and their capitals, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin, in this interactive student tutorial. Practice your math skills by solving multi-step real world problems involving money and decimals.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

U.S. States and Capitals: Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota:

Learn to identify the locations and state capitals of five U.S. states: Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. In this interactive tutorial, you'll also learn why we have state capitals: because of federalism.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

U.S. States and Capitals: Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina:

Learn about three states and their capitals by taking a trip to Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina in this interactive tutorial. Practice your math skills by solving multi-step real world problems involving money and decimals.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

U.S. States and Capitals: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee:

Learn about five states and their capitals by taking a trip to state parks in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee in this interavtive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

U.S. States and Capitals: Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana:

Learn to identify the locations and state capitals of five U.S. states: Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana with this interactive tutorial. You'll also learn why we have state capitals: because of federalism.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

U.S. States and Capitals: Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona:

Learn to identify the locations and state capitals of five U.S. states:  Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.  In this interactive tutorial, you'll also learn why we have state capitals: because of federalism.  

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiasts

KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: GPS and Coordinates:

What's the shortest path between point A and B on the ocean? It depends on wind and currents, but coordinates can help you track your position.

Related Resources:
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: GPS Data Set[.XLSX]
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: Path Visualization for Google Earth[.KML]

Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.

Type: Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast

KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: Kites, Rowing, Wind, and Navigation:

What’s your vector, Victor? Understanding math and wind helps get you where you want to go.

Related Resources:
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: GPS Data Set[.XLSX]
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: Path Visualization for Google Earth[.KML]

Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.

Type: Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this topic.

Original Student Tutorials

U.S. States and Capitals: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York:

Learn about three states and their capitals, and their local food, by taking a trip to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

U.S. States and Capitals: West Virginia, Virginia, and Delaware:

Learn about three states and their capitals by taking a trip to West Virginia, Virginia, and Delaware in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

U.S. States and Capitals: California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii:

Identify the locations and state capitals of five U.S. states: California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii. With this interactive tutorial, you'll also learn why we have state capitals: because of federalism.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

U.S. States and Capitals: Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin:

Learn more about three U.S. states and their capitals, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin, in this interactive student tutorial. Practice your math skills by solving multi-step real world problems involving money and decimals.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

U.S. States and Capitals: Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota:

Learn to identify the locations and state capitals of five U.S. states: Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. In this interactive tutorial, you'll also learn why we have state capitals: because of federalism.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

U.S. States and Capitals: Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina:

Learn about three states and their capitals by taking a trip to Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina in this interactive tutorial. Practice your math skills by solving multi-step real world problems involving money and decimals.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

U.S. States and Capitals: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee:

Learn about five states and their capitals by taking a trip to state parks in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee in this interavtive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

U.S. States and Capitals: Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana:

Learn to identify the locations and state capitals of five U.S. states: Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana with this interactive tutorial. You'll also learn why we have state capitals: because of federalism.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

U.S. States and Capitals: Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona:

Learn to identify the locations and state capitals of five U.S. states:  Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.  In this interactive tutorial, you'll also learn why we have state capitals: because of federalism.  

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this topic.