What Your Child is Learning in Unit 4, "The Land Today"

This unit will focus on how we use and protect our natural resources and how we preserve our national heritage. Your child will learn how irrigation brings water to desert areas, and discover ways to help conserve natural resources. He or she will also realize that large cities grew because of industry. Lastly, your child will come to understand how to practice good citizenship, to obey laws, and the ways in which our national holidays and symbols reflect the people and events of our country.

Activities You Can Do at Home to Support Your Child's Learning

Chapter 9 The Land of Plenty

• Look over the signs in the produce section of a grocery store which tell where each item is from. Work with your child to make a list of all the different states or countries.

Chapter 10 Take Care of Our Land

• Work with your child to identify ways to sort your household garbage for recycling. For example, you could have separate containers for paper, plastic bottles, glass, and tin or aluminum.

• Have your child draw a picture of a tree, then work with you to list some uses for a tree. Encourage him or her to include products people make out of wood as well as ways people use trees in their yards. Work to also include how animals such as insects, birds, and mammals use trees.

Chapter 11 Governing Our Land

• Help your child select a biography of a U.S. president or other leader, written for children, from your local library. Read the book together and discuss the contributions of the person in the story.

Chapter 12 Our Holidays and Symbols

• Read a story with your child about an American legend, such as Johnny Appleseed, John Henry, or Paul Bunyan.