4th Grade Social Studies Curriculum

In fourth grade social studies, students learn about geography, history, government, and cultures in the world around them. Students will also begin to connect their knowledge to bigger national and global ideas. Along the way, they build map skills, learn how communities work, and discover how people shape our world. At this stage, social studies is all about understanding the past, the present, and their role in them!

Sample Lesson

You can find more lessons about social studies for fourth grade on YouTube at The Miacademy Learning Channel!

Is my student ready for 4th grade social studies topics?

Before beginning fourth grade social studies, we suggest students complete our third grade social studies course, Exploring Social Studies.

Your child may be ready for fourth grade social studies topics if they can: 

1. Show interest in communities, cultures, or historical events
2. Understand and use basic map skills (directions, legends, and symbols)
3. Sequence chronological events
4. Read and understand informational texts with context clues
5. Ask about how things came to be or why rules exist
6. Compare and contrast different places, people, or ideas
7. Use evidence to support opinions or answers
8. Demonstrate curiosity about how government or laws work
9. Recognize cause and effect in social or historical contexts
10. Summarize main ideas from readings or discussions
11. Connect past and present situations

4th Grade Social Studies Worksheets – PDF Download

Each video lesson has an accompanying PDF with fun social studies activities to extend learning beyond the screen with a hands-on approach!

Click here to download a free sample PDF of our fourth grade social studies worksheets:

What are the 4th grade social studies standards?

Fourth grade social studies is typically when students complete studying generalized topics like community and geography and begin to work on more focused explorations of state and national history.

Common fourth grade social studies standards include being able to: 

• Identify and locate U.S. states, capitals, and major geographic features
• Use maps, globes, and tools to interpret spatial data (e.g., latitude and longitude)
• Describe characteristics of U.S. regions, including climate and natural resources
• Explain the roles and responsibilities of local, state, and national governments
• Understand the purpose of government and basic democratic principles
• Recognize national symbols, landmarks, and patriotic traditions
• Explore early American history, including Native American cultures and exploration
• Identify cultural contributions and traditions across different U.S. regions
• Understand basic economic concepts like goods, services, producers, and consumers
• Explain how supply, demand, and resources influence prices and decisions
• Ask and answer questions using primary and secondary sources
• Interpret timelines, maps, charts, and simple historical documents

Standards can vary by state, so be sure to check what’s required where you live.

Scope and Sequence

U.S. Geography

After solidifying the basics of social studies, students are ready to explore the vast regions of the United States in-depth and up close with our “Let’s Take a Journey” series!

This lesson series guides students across the United States from the comfort of home, building map skills and introducing key landmarks in each region — from the Statue of Liberty in the Northeast to the Golden Gate Bridge in the West. Along the way, students also begin to understand economic concepts like resources, consumers, and price determination.

Choosing the Best Homeschool Social Studies Curriculum

In the fourth grade, students dive deeper into the history of the United States and their home state. This year encourages curiosity about the world and builds critical thinking skills that connect the past to the present.

Miacademy makes these topics come alive through interactive lessons, videos, and engaging projects! Through activities like map-making, research assignments, and games, our fourth grade social studies curriculum helps students grow into informed and thoughtful citizens.

Plus, one of the best things about our homeschool social studies curriculum is its flexibility! You get full customization over your lesson plans and assignments to fit your child’s unique learning needs. Students can skip what they already know and dive right into new challenges!

Miacademy offers a comprehensive, accredited curriculum for K-12, providing the right level of challenge for your child at every stage. From learning the days of the week to learning about government and citizenship, our curriculum grows with your child to continually meet their unique learning needs.

Whether you homeschool full time or are looking to supplement a public school education, we’re here to support you! Wondering if Miacademy can be a good fit for your student? Start a chat with one of our friendly customer service agents below! They’ll be happy to help you with any questions you may have.