Social Studies Grade 4

Social Studies - Grade 4

This page is a short biography about a famous history-maker. ➔ You can read this aloud to younger students, or older students can read on their own. ➔ Use the question prompts at the end to start a discussion with your family.

Mary McLeod BethuneMary McLeod Bethune was the fifteenth of seventeen kids! Mary's parents were formerly enslaved people. She and her family lived in a log cabin near the farm where her parents picked cotton for a living.

Mary McLeod Bethune started working in the cotton fields when she was only five years old. But this didn't stop Mary from going to school even though the closest school for black children was five miles from her home. She was the only member of her family to go to school, walking the long distance every day.

Mary didn't mind, though. She believed that education was the most important thing, and that everyone should have equal rights to a good education. Mary felt so strongly about education that, when she got older, she started one of the first colleges for African American women.

Have you ever experienced discrimination? Mary knew what discrimination felt like. That's why Mary became a fighter for both women's rights and civil rights. Mary was called "the First Lady of the Struggle" because she fought so hard for equal rights. She even advised many U.S. presidents, including Franklin Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman, on how laws should be written to make sure everyone would be treated fairly and equally.

Mary went from being one of seventeen children living in poverty to advising presidents, educating people, and championing the rights of all citizens of the United States. She went from being a victim of discrimination to fighting it.

Is there a cause that you feel strongly about? Stand up for what is right, no matter what. Always work hard for what you believe in and remember that your life really matters. Always be proud of who you are and stand up for your rights!

Did you know that cotton dates back to 450 B.C.? Seeds from that period were found in Peru.

In the Rochester City School District, one of our schools - School 45 - is named after mary McLeod Bethune!

Modified from Bedtime Inspirational Stories: 50 Amazing Black People Who Changed the World by L.A. Amber

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Talk about it...● What is something that you feel strongly about and would fight for?

● What will you do to fight for what is right?

Social Studies - Grade 4

The Roles of State and Federal Governments

By National Geographic Society, adapted by Newsela staff

The United States has a federal system. Federalism is a form of government in which power is divided between a national (federal) government and local (state) governments.

Our form of federalism is based on the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution declares that federal laws are the "supreme law of the land," after only the Constitution itself. However, the Constitution limits the federal government's powers. Governmental power is shared with the states.

The Constitution Lists The Federal Government's PowersThe federal government's powers are enumerated by the Constitution. To enumerate is to list one by one. Every law enacted by Congress must be based on one or more of these enumerated powers.

The federal government's "enumerated powers" are listed in Article I of the Constitution. They include the power to charge taxes, to create federal courts, and to declare war.

In addition, the Constitution gives the federal government certain "implied powers." While not directly stated, they are implied, or suggested, by the powers the federal government is granted. They are needed to carry out the enumerated powers. A government must be given the power to carry out its responsibilities.

The Powers Given To The StatesThe Constitution thus grants broad powers to the federal government. However, these powers are limited by the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution. That amendment lays out the powers granted to the states. It declares that those powers not set aside for the federal government are given to the states.

Social Studies - Grade 4

As Founding Father James Madison explained, the powers given to each state "concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people." They are needed to protect public safety and health. Such state powers are generally called "police powers."

States Can't Block Federal LawsFinally, certain powers are called "concurrent powers." These are powers that states and the federal government both have concurrently, or at the same time. They include the power to set up courts, to charge taxes, and to spend and borrow money.

It is sometimes unclear whether the federal or state government has the power to make laws covering certain matters. As a result, two different laws dealing with the same subject can be passed. At times, these laws take opposite positions. This can lead to conflict.

The doctrine, or rule, of preemption was developed to deal with such conflicts. To preempt is to overrule. Under the doctrine, if a state law conflicts with a federal law, the state law must give way. The Constitution ensures this. It denies the states the power to block, delay or alter federal laws.

When A Federal Law Preempts A State LawThere are various situations in which federal law preempts state law. Preemption occurs when there is an obvious conflict between federal and state laws. It also occurs when it would be impossible for someone to follow both state and federal laws. Finally, it occurs when the state law undercuts federal law. In other words, a state law is preempted when it would prevent the goal of the federal law from being carried out.

The doctrine of preemption does not always apply, however. It does not apply when a federal law goes against the Constitution. In that case, the state law would win out.

Social Studies - Grade 4

Review1 How is the structure of the section “States Can't Block Federal Laws” similar to the structure of the section “When A Federal Law Preempts A State Law”?

❏ These sections both explore the doctrine of preemption.❏ These sections both describe concurrent powers.❏ These sections both list implied and enumerated powers.❏ These sections both explain the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution.

2 The article is mostly organized using description and comparison. How would the article be different if it were organized using chronology?

❏ It would describe what is included in "implied powers" and discuss why the Constitution grants these powers.

❏ It would go into more detail about a situation in which a federal law went against the Constitution.❏ It would describe the origins of federalism and discuss how Article I and the Tenth Amendment came to

be.❏ It would go into more detail about the similarities and differences between the federal government and

state governments.

3 Which government is able to charge taxes? How do you know?❏ only the federal government; "The Constitution declares that federal laws are the 'supreme law of the

land,' after only the Constitution itself."❏ only the federal government; "The federal government's 'enumerated powers' are listed in Article I of

the Constitution. They include the power to charge taxes, to create federal courts, and to declare war."❏ both the federal government and state governments; "As Founding Father James Madison explained,

the powers given to each state 'concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people.' They are needed to protect public safety and health."

❏ both the federal government and state governments; "These are powers that states and the federal government both have concurrently, or at the same time. They include the power to set up courts, to charge taxes, and to spend and borrow money."

4 Read the section "When A Federal Law Preempts A State Law." Which sentence from this section shows a situation in which a state law could preempt a federal law?

❏ There are various situations in which federal law preempts state law.❏ Finally, it occurs when the state law undercuts federal law.❏ In other words, a state law is preempted when it would prevent the goal of the federal law from being

carried out.❏ It does not apply when a federal law goes against the Constitution.

Social Studies - Grade 4

Write a short paragraph that explains the central idea of the article. Use at least two details from the article to support your response.

Why is it important that both the states and the federal government have power? Why are the powers of the states called “police powers?”

Sharpen Your Geography Skills

Social Studies - Grade 4

A compass rose shows the four cardinal directions: north, south, east, and west. It may also show intermediate directions. Southwest is an intermediate direction. Use the compass rose to answer the questions.

1. Kansas is located ____________________________ of Oklahoma.

2. New Hampshire is located ____________________________ of Vermont.

3. Colorado is located ____________________________ of Idaho.

4. Texas is ____________________________ of Missouri.

5. Kentucky is ____________________________ of Arkansas.

6. Utah is ____________________________ of New Mexico.

7. Alabama is ____________________________ of Tennessee.

Social Studies - Grade 4

Study the map, and read the text. Then, answer the questions.

Latitude and longitude are used to find places on maps. They are measured in degrees. Latitude lines are horizontal. Lines above the equator are labeled as north (N). Lines below the equator are labeled south (S). Longitude lines are vertical. If a longitude line is west of the Prime Meridian, it is marked as west (W). The same is true for lines east (E) of the Prime Meridian. Latitude and longitude are written as coordinates. The latitude always comes first. For example, part of Wisconsin is located at 45°N, 90°W.

1. What state is located at 40°N, 90°W?

2. What state is located at 35°N, 120°W?

3. What is the latitude and longitude of South Dakota?

Social Studies - Grade 4

Maps often include scales. Scales tell you how far distances on the map are equal to in real life. Use the scale below to answer the questions. Use a ruler or a piece of paper to help you measure.

1. About how far is it from Cleveland, OH, to Newark, NJ?❏ 200 miles ❏ 400 miles ❏ 600 miles

2. About how far is it from Denver, CO, to Las Vegas, NV?❏ 400 miles ❏ 600 miles ❏ 800 miles

3. About how far is it from Chicago, IL, to Dallas, TX?❏ 400 miles ❏ 600 miles ❏ 800 miles

4. About how far is it from Las Vegas, NV, to Dallas, TX?❏ 600 miles ❏ 800 miles ❏ 1,000 miles

Social Studies - Grade 4

A political map shows the boundaries between countries or states. Major cities are usually labeled, along with some bodies of water. Study the political map. Then, answer the questions.

1. In which country is Calgary located?

2. Which oceans border Alaska?

3. Which city is on the West Coast of the United States?

Social Studies - Grade 4

This is a physical map of North America. Physical maps show different landforms and land types in an area. Study the map, and answer the questions.

1. What are two main mountain ranges in the United States?

2. Describe the location of the tundra.

3. Describe the location of the Great Basin.

Social Studies - Grade 4