Elementary Western Hemisphere

Castle Learning Online's Elementary Western Hemisphere is targeted to a fifth-grade reading level. It explores the history, geography, economies and governments of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America.

• History examines the significant events, people, symbols and celebrations in the development of Western Hemisphere nations.
• Geography reviews basic map reading skills including map symbols, directions, relative locations, latitude and longitude, as well as topography, climate, and political boundaries and their impact on Western Hemisphere cultures.
• Economics studies the concepts of needs and wants, resources, market economies, trade agreements, and the impact of technology on the economies of Western Hemisphere countries.
• Government covers the function and organization of governments, constitutional rights, the duties and responsibilities of citizens, independence movements, historic documents, patriotic celebrations, and international organizations in the Western Hemisphere.

Many questions are beautifully illustrated with artwork, photos and maps. Questions are supplemented with a comprehensive vocabulary for flash card activities or review.

Units: (click to view Sections)

1. History of the United States
   
   Sections:
   

   1. Native Peoples of North America
   2. Exploration and Colonization
   3. Colonial America
   4. Struggle for North America
   5. The New Nation
   6. Slavery and Emancipation
   7. The Nation Grows
   8. The Modern Era
2. History of Canada and Latin America
   
   Sections:
   

   1. Cultural Diversity
   2. Different Perspectives
   3. Cultural Exchange and Diffusion
   4. Contributions of Historic Figures
   5. Historical Documents
   6. Symbols
   7. Impact of Industrial Growth and Urbanization
3. Geography of the United States, Canada, and Latin America
   
   Sections:
   

   1. Maps Skills
   2. Features of Maps
   3. Five Themes of Geography
   4. Changing Political Boundaries
   5. Different Geological Processes Shaped Physical Environments
   6. Cultural Features Tie Regions Together
   7. Physical and Human Characteristics Differ from Place to Place
   8. Human Actions Modify Physical Environments
4. The Economies of the United States, Canada, and Latin America
   
   Sections:
   

   1. Satisfying Needs and Wants
   2. Use of Human, Capital, and Natural Resources
   3. Types of Economic Systems
   4. Types and Availability of Resources Affect Economic Development
   5. Impact of Science and Technology on Standard of Living
   6. Interdependence in the Western Hemisphere
   7. Global Implications of Economic Decisions
   8. Purpose of Government
   9. The United States Government
   10. Branches of Government
   11. The Canadian Government
   12. The Mexican Government
   13. Central American Governments
   14. South American Governments
   15. Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens
   16. Important Legal, Political, and Historic Documents
   17. Patriotic Celebrations in the Western Hemisphere
   18. International Organizations in the Western Hemisphere

Themes:

1. Change
2. Citizenship and Civic Life
3. Civic Values
4. Culture
5. Decision Making
6. Economic Systems
7. Empathy
8. Environment and Society
9. Factors of Production
10. Government
11. Human Systems
12. Identity
13. Interdependence
14. Nation States
15. Needs and Wants
16. Physical Systems
17. Places and Regions
18. Technology

Attributes:

1. Map
2. Graph/Chart
3. Artwork/Photo/Diagram
4. Quotation/Reading Passage