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Essentials - Skills & Concepts

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Checks and Balances

The U.S. Constitution ensures no part of the government has too much power through a system called checks and balances.

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Service and volunteering are at the heart of happy, healthy communities. Learn who volunteers and serves in your community, how they help and what it does for society.

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Representative Democracy

In the United States citizens elect leaders at local, state, and national levels to make important decisions on their behalf. It's called Representative democracy.

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People and Their Environment

For centuries, humans have depended on, adapted to and modified the natural environment to survive and thrive. But the environment has also shaped the ways that we live.

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What Does the Government Do?

The United States has a democratic government which is voted for by the people. Its job is to protect citizens and communities, and follow the rules that are laid out in the Constitution.

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Being a Citizen of the U.S.

The word "citizen" can have more than one meaning, referring to both membership in a country and being an active, responsible part of a community.

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The common good is at the heart of all healthy communities, and is supported by community rules that promote fairness and safety for all.

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Who Constructs History?

Historians, archaeologists, archivists and cartographers use primary sources, like diaries, tools, and maps, to unlock the secrets of the past and sort the fact from fiction.

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How is History Constructed?

Historians are always finding new information from the past, in primary sources like letters, diaries, and government documents, which can change our understanding of historic events.

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Being a Citizen in a Community

One meaning of the word citizen is a person who lives in a community. In this video, learn about how good citizens make their communities better for everyone.

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Branches of Government

The U.S. government divides power between the Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary branches to ensure fairness and prevent any one group from becoming too powerful.

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Levels of Government

In the United States, federal, state, and local governments work together to run the country. Find out the responsibilities of each level of government.

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How do we get from A to B? Cardinal and intermediate directions are a tool in geography that help us navigate the world around us.

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Wants and Needs

Everyone has wants and needs. Understanding the difference can help you to make sound choices that keep you healthy and safe.

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Leadership is a civic virtue that makes our communities stronger. Learn what it means to be a leader and how bringing people together can make the world a better place.

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Rules and laws are special instructions that tell us what to do at home, at school and in our communities. They help to keep us safe and make society more fair.

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Honesty is a civic virtue that helps make communities fairer and safer for everyone. In this video, learn about how you can show honesty in your community.

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Discover three main types of maps – physical, political, and thematic – and learn how they uniquely represent our world's landscapes, boundaries, and various topics.

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Geography of the 13 Colonies

The European colonization of North America was largely influenced by geography. In the New England, Middle and Southern Colonies, the land and conditions varied. So how did settlers take advantage of their environments to establish the Thirteen Colonies?

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Learn about the longest rivers in the United States, and their roles in shaping the nation's landscape, culture, and history.

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From the Sierra Nevada to the Rockies, these natural giants were formed in different ways over thousands of years, making up the United States's iconic landscape.

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Perseverance is the ability to keep going, and not quit, even when it’s tough. From pioneering aviator Bessie Coleman to the everyday heroes in our communities, perseverance drives our world forward.

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Map keys help us understand maps by identifying what the symbols and colors mean. It also includes a scale so we can work out the distance between places, to help us find our way.

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Timeline Tutorial

A timeline is a tool that shows the order of events that happened in the past. In this video, learn how to use timelines and why they are important when studying history.

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Everyone can make the world a better place - by treating each other with empathy. In this video, learn why this civic virtue is important in a community.

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Discover Earth's five oceans – from the vast Pacific to the icy Southern Ocean – uncovering unique features, marine life, and geographic features like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

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Take a trip around Earth’s seven continents and discover what makes them unique, from Asia's towering Mount Everest to the native wildlife of Australia to the frozen expanse of Antarctica.

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Latitude and Longitude

Discover how the grid system of latitude and longitude helps us to navigate and understand our planet's geography.

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Explore the diverse landscapes and climates of the United States’ five geographic regions and discover the unique characteristics that define each area.

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Landforms are natural features on Earth's surface. They come in all shapes and sizes. In this video, learn about the different landforms found in the United States.

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There are two different kinds of landmark: natural and man-made. Let's explore some of the most well-known examples in the United States.

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The world is filled with people who make our communities happier, safer, and fairer for everyone. These people have good qualities like kindness, courage, and respect, known as civic virtues.

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Spatial Understanding and Perspective

Spatial understanding is our ability to know we you are in relation to other places. Someone’s own spatial understanding is called their perspective. These skills help us navigate the world around us.

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Justice is a founding principle of the United States. Learn what justice is and why it’s important to treat everyone with fairness.

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Courage is a civic virtue that makes our communities stronger. Learn what it means to be courageous and how facing your fears can help make the world a better place.

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The compass rose is a key symbol on maps, globes and travel apps. It tells us which direction is North, South, East and West to help us find our way around the world.

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Maps and Globes

Discover the differences between maps and globes, and how each helps us understand Earth's size, shape, and features.

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Place and Location

In geography, it's important to tell the difference between a place and a location. In this video, learn how.

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Community Helpers

Learn about the important role that community helpers such as teachers, doctors, and firefighters play in our communities.

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Respect is a civic virtue. Learn what it means to be respectful - and how treating others as you would like to be treated can help make the world a better place.

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Anyone can learn to read a map! Explore the essentials of map reading - including symbols, legends, and scales.

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Discover Earth's physical features, from oceans to mountains, and learn how land and water form our planet's diverse landscapes.

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