Quarter 3 Overview
This quarter shifts from historical exploration to contemporary analysis, developing students' ability to understand complex systems - both natural and human-made. Students examine Earth's interconnected spheres, analyze different forms of government, explore economic systems, and master advanced mathematical concepts. The integration across subjects reinforces systems thinking, preparing students to understand their role as informed global citizens.
Quarter 3 Learning Goals
Academic Skills:
- • Master explanatory and argumentative writing
- • Synthesize information from multiple sources
- • Multiply and divide fractions
- • Create and interpret data visualizations
- • Develop comparative analysis skills
Content Knowledge:
- • Earth's four spheres and interactions
- • Democratic vs. authoritarian governments
- • Market, command, and traditional economies
- • Human impact on natural systems
- • Contemporary issues in the Americas
🌍 Systems Thinking Theme
Throughout Quarter 3, students develop sophisticated systems thinking by examining how components interact to create complex wholes - whether in Earth's natural systems, political structures, or economic networks. This prepares them for understanding global interdependence and their role as informed citizens who can analyze and respond to complex challenges.
English Language Arts Curriculum
Quarter 3 ELA Focus: Analysis and Argumentation
Building on narrative skills from Quarter 2, students now focus on analytical and argumentative writing. They learn to synthesize complex information, evaluate evidence, and construct logical arguments about real-world issues. Literature selections explore themes of systems, responsibility, and global citizenship.
Reading & Analysis
- • Complex informational texts
- • Scientific articles and reports
- • Government documents
- • Economic data interpretation
- • Novel study: Number the Stars
Writing Development
- • Explanatory essays with diagrams
- • Argumentative writing with claims
- • Comparative analysis papers
- • Research reports with citations
- • Technical writing (procedures)
Weekly ELA Structure - Quarter 3
Monday: Close Reading of Complex Texts
- • Academic vocabulary (25-30 technical terms)
- • Read scientific or governmental texts
- • Identify text structures (problem/solution, cause/effect)
- • Practice summarizing complex information
Tuesday: Comparative Analysis
- • Compare multiple texts on same topic
- • Evaluate strength of arguments
- • Identify and analyze evidence
- • Create synthesis charts
Wednesday: Grammar & Research Skills
- • Essentials in Writing lesson (20 min)
- • Advanced punctuation (colons, semicolons)
- • Citation formats and bibliography
- • Paraphrasing vs. quoting
Thursday: Writing Workshop
- • Draft explanatory or argumentative pieces
- • Focus on logical organization
- • Use transitions for coherence
- • Peer review for clarity and evidence
Friday: Speaking & Listening
- • Formal presentations of research
- • Debates on contemporary issues
- • Literature circle discussions
- • Academic discourse practice
Major Writing Projects - Quarter 3
- Week 19-20: Explanatory essay on Earth's sphere interactions (5 paragraphs with diagrams)
- Week 21: Cause-and-effect analysis of human environmental impact
- Week 22-23: Comparative essay on government systems (USA vs. Canada)
- Week 24: Argumentative piece on contemporary political issue
- Week 25-26: Research report on economic systems (5-7 pages)
- Week 27: Synthesis essay connecting all Quarter 3 themes
Literature & Independent Reading
Core Novel Study:
- • Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
- • Themes: Systems of oppression and resistance
- • Historical context: WWII and government power
- • Character analysis and moral choices
Independent Reading Choices:
- • Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
- • The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
- • Biographies of government leaders
- • Science-focused nonfiction
Social Studies Curriculum
Quarter 3: Contemporary Systems and Governance
This quarter develops sophisticated understanding of how modern societies organize themselves politically and economically. Students analyze different government structures, economic systems, and contemporary challenges facing the Western Hemisphere, developing skills in comparative analysis and civic engagement.
Weeks 19-21: Comparative Government Systems
United States: Federal Republic
- Structure: Three branches with checks and balances
- Executive: President elected every 4 years, can serve 2 terms
- Legislative: Bicameral Congress (Senate and House)
- Judicial: Supreme Court with lifetime appointments
- Federalism: Power shared between federal and state governments
- Citizens' Role: Voting, jury duty, civic participation
Canada: Parliamentary Democracy
- Structure: Parliamentary system with constitutional monarchy
- Head of State: British monarch (ceremonial)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister (leader of majority party)
- Parliament: House of Commons (elected) and Senate (appointed)
- Provinces: Ten provinces with significant autonomy
- Citizens' Role: Mandatory voter registration, parliamentary representation
Mexico: Federal Presidential Republic
- Structure: Three branches similar to USA
- President: One 6-year term (no reelection)
- Congress: Senate and Chamber of Deputies
- States: 32 states with elected governors
- Unique Features: No reelection principle, strong party system
- Citizens' Role: Compulsory voting (not enforced), civic traditions
Comparative Analysis Activities
- • Create comparison charts of government structures
- • Mock elections using different systems
- • Debate: Parliamentary vs. Presidential systems
- • Research how laws are made in each country
- • Analyze current leaders and their paths to power
- • Study indigenous governance within these nations
Weeks 22-24: Economic Systems
Market Economy (USA, Canada)
- Characteristics: Private ownership, supply and demand
- Decision Making: Individual consumers and businesses
- Government Role: Regulation and safety nets
- Examples: Stock markets, entrepreneurship, competition
- Advantages: Innovation, efficiency, choice
- Challenges: Inequality, market failures, boom/bust cycles
Command Economy (Cuba)
- Characteristics: Government ownership and planning
- Decision Making: Central planning committees
- Government Role: Controls production and distribution
- Examples: Rationing system, state employment
- Advantages: Employment guarantee, basic needs met
- Challenges: Shortages, lack of innovation, black markets
Mixed Economies (Most Latin American Countries)
- Characteristics: Blend of market and government control
- Examples: Brazil, Argentina, Chile
- State-Owned Enterprises: Oil (Pemex), utilities
- Private Sector: Most consumer goods and services
- Social Programs: Healthcare, education, poverty reduction
- Trade: MERCOSUR, Pacific Alliance agreements
Weeks 25-27: Contemporary Issues & Case Studies
Current Challenges in the Western Hemisphere
- Immigration: Causes, policies, human rights considerations
- Climate Change: Rising sea levels, extreme weather, agricultural impacts
- Economic Inequality: Wealth gaps, access to education and healthcare
- Indigenous Rights: Land rights, cultural preservation, representation
- Trade Relations: USMCA, global supply chains, tariffs
- Democratic Challenges: Polarization, misinformation, voter participation
Case Study: Brazil
- • Amazon deforestation and global climate impact
- • Economic development vs. environmental protection
- • Indigenous peoples' rights and territories
- • Role as regional power in South America
- • Social programs and poverty reduction efforts
Civic Engagement Skills
- Research: Finding reliable sources on government and economic data
- Analysis: Comparing systems using multiple criteria
- Communication: Writing to elected officials, creating public awareness campaigns
- Participation: Understanding voting systems and civic responsibilities
- Global Awareness: Connecting local issues to hemispheric patterns
Mathematics Curriculum
Quarter 3 Math Focus: Advanced Fractions
Building on decimal mastery from Quarter 2, students now tackle multiplication and division of fractions - one of the most challenging fifth-grade concepts. Real-world applications from government budgets, economic data, and scientific measurements provide meaningful contexts for these abstract operations.
Weeks 19-23: Multiplying Fractions
- • Multiply fractions by whole numbers
- • Multiply fractions by fractions
- • Multiply mixed numbers
- • Scaling and resizing problems
- • Area models for multiplication
Weeks 24-27: Dividing Fractions
- • Divide whole numbers by fractions
- • Divide fractions by whole numbers
- • Divide fractions by fractions
- • Interpret division scenarios
- • Problem solving with all operations
Real-World Applications
Government & Economics Context
- Budget Analysis: "If 2/5 of the federal budget goes to healthcare, and healthcare is $1.2 trillion, what is the total budget?"
- Voting: "If 3/4 of registered voters participated, and 2/3 of those voted for Candidate A, what fraction of all registered voters chose Candidate A?"
- Trade: "Mexico exports 3/8 of its oil to the USA. If it exports 1.5 million barrels daily to the USA, what is its total daily production?"
- Taxation: "A province collects 1/6 of its revenue from sales tax. If sales tax brings in $3.2 billion, what is the total revenue?"
Earth Systems Context
- Water Cycle: "If 3/10 of precipitation becomes runoff, and annual precipitation is 40 inches, how much runoff occurs?"
- Atmosphere: "The troposphere contains 4/5 of atmospheric mass. If it has 4 × 10^18 kg, what is the total atmospheric mass?"
- Deforestation: "If we lose 1/250 of rainforest annually, how many years until half is gone?"
Daily Math Structure (60 minutes)
- Number Talk (10 min): Mental math with fractions, estimation strategies
- Mini-Lesson (15 min): New concept with visual models
- Guided Practice (15 min): Work through problems together
- Partner Work (10 min): Collaborative problem solving
- Independent Practice (10 min): Individual mastery work
Science Curriculum
CKSci Unit 3: Modeling Earth's Systems
Students develop and use models to describe Earth's major systems and their interactions. This unit perfectly complements the social studies focus on human systems, showing how natural and human systems influence each other.
Earth's Four Spheres
Geosphere (Land)
- • Rocks, minerals, and landforms
- • Plate tectonics and volcanoes
- • Soil formation and erosion
Hydrosphere (Water)
- • Oceans, rivers, lakes, ice
- • Water cycle processes
- • Ocean currents and weather
Atmosphere (Air)
- • Layers and composition
- • Weather and climate
- • Greenhouse effect
Biosphere (Life)
- • All living organisms
- • Ecosystems and biomes
- • Carbon and nitrogen cycles
Weekly Science Investigations
Weeks 19-21: Sphere Interactions
- • Model how volcanic eruptions affect all spheres
- • Investigate the water cycle as sphere interaction
- • Study how plants connect atmosphere and geosphere
- • Create sphere interaction diagrams
- • Analyze human impacts on each sphere
Weeks 22-24: Human-Environment Interactions
- • Connect to government environmental policies
- • Study pollution pathways through spheres
- • Investigate climate change evidence
- • Model sustainable vs. unsustainable practices
- • Design solutions to environmental problems
Weeks 25-27: Conservation and Resources
- • Natural resource distribution and economics
- • Renewable vs. non-renewable resources
- • Conservation strategies and policies
- • Engineering solutions for sustainability
- • Create action plans for local issues
Major Science Project: Systems Model
Create a comprehensive model showing sphere interactions for a specific phenomenon:
- • Choose event (hurricane, drought, earthquake, deforestation)
- • Research impacts on all four spheres
- • Create visual model (3D, digital, or poster)
- • Include human system connections
- • Present with before/during/after analysis
Weeks 19-21: Earth's Systems & Comparative Government
Connecting natural systems to human organizational systems
Sample Daily Schedule - Week 19
Monday
8:30-10:00 ELA Block
• Vocabulary: geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere (20 min)
• Read "Earth as a System" scientific article (30 min)
• Identify text structure and main concepts (20 min)
• Begin planning explanatory essay on sphere interactions (20 min)
5.RI.5, 5.W.2
10:15-11:15 Math
• Number talk: Estimate 2/3 × 45 (10 min)
• Lesson: Multiply fractions by whole numbers (20 min)
• Practice: "If 3/4 of Earth's surface is water..." (20 min)
• Problem solving with sphere proportions (10 min)
NY-5.NF.4
1:00-1:45 Science
• Introduce Earth's four spheres (15 min)
• Create sphere diagram with examples (20 min)
• Begin tracking local sphere interactions (10 min)
5-ESS2-1
2:00-2:45 Social Studies
• Introduction to government systems (15 min)
• Compare US three branches structure (20 min)
• Begin government comparison chart (10 min)
5.6a
🌍 Weeks 19-21 Integrated Project: Systems Analysis
Students analyze how natural and human systems interact:
- • Model Earth sphere interactions for a natural disaster
- • Research government responses to environmental crises
- • Calculate economic impacts using fractions/percentages
- • Write explanatory essay on system interactions
- • Create presentation comparing how different governments handle environmental issues
Integrates all four subjects through systems thinking lens
Weeks 22-24: Government Systems in Action
Deep dive into how different governments function and serve citizens
🏛️ Major Project: Model Government
Students create and run a model government for one week:
- • Choose governmental system (parliamentary or presidential)
- • Draft constitution with rights and responsibilities
- • Hold elections using different voting methods
- • Pass legislation addressing a school/community issue
- • Write comparative analysis of different systems' effectiveness
Week 22: Democratic Foundations
- Monday: US government structure deep dive
- Tuesday: Canadian parliamentary system
- Wednesday: Compare executive powers
- Thursday: Legislative processes in both systems
- Friday: Mock election preparation
Week 23: Branches and Balance
- Monday: Judicial systems comparison
- Tuesday: Checks and balances simulation
- Wednesday: Federal vs. provincial/state powers
- Thursday: Indigenous governance within nations
- Friday: Hold mock elections
Week 24: Citizens and Change
- Monday: Rights and responsibilities of citizens
- Tuesday: How laws are made and changed
- Wednesday: Civic participation beyond voting
- Thursday: Current political issues debate
- Friday: Present model government outcomes
Weeks 25-27: Economic Systems & Trade
Understanding how economies shape daily life in the Americas
💰 Major Project: Hemispheric Trade Simulation
Multi-day economic simulation where student groups represent different countries:
- • Each country has different resources and economic system
- • Negotiate trade agreements and set prices
- • Calculate profits/losses using fractions and decimals
- • Experience supply/demand, scarcity, and specialization
- • Analyze which economic system achieved goals best
- • Write economic analysis report with data visualizations
Week 25: Understanding Economic Systems
Daily Focus:
- • Monday: Traditional economies
- • Tuesday: Market economy principles
- • Wednesday: Command economy structure
- • Thursday: Mixed economies
- • Friday: Set up trade simulation
Key Concepts:
- • Supply and demand
- • Scarcity and choice
- • Specialization and trade
- • Currency and exchange
- • Economic indicators
Week 26: Trade and Interdependence
- • Run trade simulation Days 1-3
- • Analyze trade patterns and outcomes
- • Study real trade agreements (USMCA, MERCOSUR)
- • Calculate trade balances and economic growth
- • Discuss globalization pros and cons
Week 27: Quarter 3 Culmination
- • Complete economic analysis reports
- • Present Earth systems models
- • Final debates on contemporary issues
- • Portfolio organization and reflection
- • Quarter 3 assessments
Quarter 3 Assessment Checklist
Major Projects:
- ☐ Earth Systems Interactive Model
- ☐ Government comparison analysis
- ☐ Trade simulation report
- ☐ Contemporary issue research
Skills Assessment:
- ☐ Fraction operations test
- ☐ Explanatory writing sample
- ☐ Document analysis skills
- ☐ Oral presentation rubric
Social Studies Curriculum
Quarter 3: Contemporary Systems and Governance
This quarter develops sophisticated understanding of how modern societies organize themselves politically and economically. Students analyze different government structures, economic systems, and contemporary challenges facing the Western Hemisphere, developing skills in comparative analysis and civic engagement.
Weeks 19-21: Comparative Government Systems
United States: Federal Republic
Canada: Parliamentary Democracy
Mexico: Federal Presidential Republic
Comparative Analysis Activities
Weeks 22-24: Economic Systems
Market Economy (USA, Canada)
Command Economy (Cuba)
Mixed Economies (Most Latin American Countries)
Weeks 25-27: Contemporary Issues & Case Studies
Current Challenges in the Western Hemisphere
Case Study: Brazil
Civic Engagement Skills