5th Grade Resources

Primary Source Document Analysis Lesson: A First Go

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Introduce primary source document analysis with this scaffolded social studies lesson for Grades 3–5! Students learn to think like historians as they observe, infer, and interpret historical evidence while considering a document's purpose, audience, and context. Includes two authentic primary source documents with transcriptions, a document analysis worksheet, completed answer keys, and vocabulary posters. Perfect for building historical inquiry and critical thinking skills.

4th - 6th Informational Text, Social Studies

Patriot or Loyalist? Two Points of View |American Revolutionary War Series| Grades 4, 5, 6

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

🇺🇸 Explore Patriot, Loyalist, and Neutral perspectives during the American Revolution in this engaging multi-day Social Studies lesson for Grades 4–6. Students investigate why colonists chose different sides through a classroom simulation, informational texts, primary source poems and songs, historical fiction, and evidence-based discussions. Includes lesson plans, graphic organizers, source analysis activities, vocabulary support, exit ticket assessment, and answer keys.

4th - 6th Informational Text, Social Studies, U.S. History

Also included in: The American Revolutionary War Bundle|Primary Source Investigations | Grades 4, 5, 6

Boston Massacre Primary Source Investigation | American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Investigate the Boston Massacre in this engaging American Revolution lesson for Grades 4–6. Students explore colonial resistance, analyze Paul Revere's engraving and historical newspapers, compare perspectives, and examine how propaganda influenced public opinion. Includes informational texts, primary source analysis, a collaborative jigsaw investigation, graphic organizers, vocabulary support, discussion prompts, evidence-based writing assessment, and answer keys.

4th - 6th Informational Text, Social Studies, U.S. History

Also included in: The American Revolutionary War Bundle|Primary Source Investigations | Grades 4, 5, 6

Seasonal Winter Writing & Craft Projects | Winter Bulletin Board | Grades 3-5

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Bring winter creativity to your Grades 3–5 classroom with Snow Globe Adventure, a narrative writing and craft project! Students imagine themselves inside a snow globe, plan and write a first-person story, and create a 3D snow globe display. This resource guides students through brainstorming, drafting, editing, and publishing while developing plot, dialogue, and sensory details. Includes lesson plans, graphic organizers, writing pages, craft directions, editing checklist, and rubric.

3rd - 5th Other (Arts), Creative Writing, Writing

Plot Mountain Graphic Organizer

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Help students visualize story structure with this FREE Plot Mountain graphic organizer! Students identify and record the introduction, rising action, conflict, climax, falling action, and resolution of a story. Perfect for Grades 3–6 reading comprehension, literature circles, independent reading, and ELA lessons.

3rd - 6th English Language Arts, Reading Strategies, Writing

Federal Government: Three Branches, The President, Congress and Courts | NYS Social Studies Framework 4.4a

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore the federal government in this Grade 4 Social Studies unit aligned with NYS Framework 4.4a. Across four lessons, students investigate the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, including the roles of the President, Congress, and Supreme Court. Activities include informational texts, graphic organizers, interactive sorting tasks, and civic discussions. Includes lesson plans, student activities, exit tickets, study guide, summative assessment, and answer keys.

4th - 5th Social Studies, Government, U.S. History

Also included in: New York State Social Studies Grade 4 FULL YEAR Mega Bundle | NYS 4th Grade Framework

Types of Conflict in Literature | Focus Unit | Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Teach types of conflict in literature with this 10-day ELA Focus Unit for Grades 3–5. Students explore protagonist and antagonist roles and four types of conflict: character vs. self, character, nature, and society. Using picture books as mentor texts, students analyze how conflict shapes plot and characters. Includes lesson plans, scenario sorting cards, task cards, student response pages, exit tickets, assessments, rubrics, and answer keys.

3rd - 5th English Language Arts, Literature, Reading

Fall Descriptive Narrative Writing & Craft | Figurative Language | Grades 3-6 | Fabulous Fall Characters

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

🍂 Bring fall creativity into your Grades 3–5 classroom with this descriptive and narrative writing project! Students create unique fall-themed characters, develop vivid descriptions, and practice adjectives, adverbs, and figurative language through engaging writing activities. Includes a character craft template, graphic organizers, writing pages, figurative language practice, a speaking and listening activity, and an assessment rubric. Perfect for a fall bulletin board display!

3rd - 6th Creative Writing, Writing

Dynamic Characters: Character Transformation in Literature | Focus Unit| 3, 4, 5

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore character development and transformation in literature with this Grades 3–5 ELA Focus Unit. Students investigate internal and external changes, dynamic and static characters, and how characters evolve through picture book read-alouds, discussion, and evidence-based writing. Includes multi-day lesson plans, vocabulary posters, differentiated response pages, comparison activities, matching cards, summative assessment, and answer key.

3rd - 5th English Language Arts, Close Reading, Reading

Sarah Hale | Persuasive Writing | Thanksgiving | Primary Source Connection| Grades 3-5

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore Sarah Josepha Hale's campaign to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday in this engaging three-day writing mini-unit for Grades 3–5. Part of the Story to Source Investigations series, students connect a picture book to historical primary sources while practicing close reading, critical thinking, and persuasive writing. Includes lesson plans, primary source analysis, graphic organizers, writing activities, student publishing materials, and bulletin board display options.

3rd - 6th Informational Text, Writing Essays

December Writing | December Craft | SEL Activity | SEL Bulletin Board | Holidays | Grades 3-5

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

🕯️ Celebrate kindness and the theme of light in winter holidays with this Grades 3–6 SEL writing and craft activity. Students reflect on how they can "be a light in the world" through acts of kindness, then write a meaningful paragraph and create a candle craft for a winter bulletin board. Includes brainstorming pages, writing templates, differentiated supports, candle craft pieces, display signs, and a writing rubric. Perfect for December writing and classroom community building!

3rd - 6th Writing

Battle of Long Island: Fight to Control NY |American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore the Battle of Long Island (1776) in this Grades 4–6 American Revolution lesson. Students investigate New York's strategic importance, British military strategy, the occupation of New York City, and the growth of Loyalist strongholds through informational texts, historical maps, cause-and-effect analysis, and evidence-based writing. Includes reading activities, map investigations, discussion prompts, video resources, and answer keys for 1–2 days of instruction.

4th - 6th U.S. History, Other (Social Studies)

Also included in: The American Revolutionary War Bundle|Primary Source Investigations | Grades 4, 5, 6

Nathan Hale & Spies | American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore Nathan Hale and espionage during the American Revolution in this Grades 4–6 Social Studies and ELA lesson. Students investigate the role and risks of spying in New York City through primary source analysis, informational text, and evidence-based writing. Includes Nathan Hale's military commission signed by John Hancock, a reading passage, summary graphic organizer, student writing page, and answer key. Builds inference, reading comprehension, and summarizing skills.

4th - 6th U.S. History

Also included in: The American Revolutionary War Bundle|Primary Source Investigations | Grades 4, 5, 6

Enslaved Persons in the American Revolution Featuring Boyrereau Brinch | American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore the experiences of enslaved African Americans during the American Revolution in this inquiry-based Grades 4–5 Social Studies lesson. Students investigate the meaning of freedom, Lord Dunmore's Proclamation, and the life of Boyrereau Brinch through informational texts, primary source analysis, close reading, and evidence-based discussion. Includes a lesson plan, three primary source activities, student worksheets, vocabulary support, exit ticket, and answer keys.

4th - 7th U.S. History

Also included in: The American Revolutionary War Bundle|Primary Source Investigations | Grades 4, 5, 6

West Point and Benedict Arnold | American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore West Point's strategic importance and Benedict Arnold's betrayal during the American Revolution in this Grades 4–5 Social Studies and ELA lesson. Students investigate military strategy, geography, and treason through informational text, historical map analysis, and critical thinking activities. Includes a lesson plan, primary source map, observation and inference worksheet, main idea and supporting details organizer, vocabulary support, and answer key.

4th - 6th U.S. History

Also included in: The American Revolutionary War Bundle|Primary Source Investigations | Grades 4, 5, 6

Patrick Henry “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” Primary Source Investigation | American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

🇺🇸 Explore Patrick Henry's famous "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech in this Grades 4–6 American Revolution lesson. Students analyze his arguments, emotional language, and persuasive techniques through primary source analysis, a Colonial Williamsburg recording, discussion, and writing. Includes a complete lesson plan, speech text, graphic organizer, student response activities, quote cards, video links, and exit ticket. Integrates Social Studies and ELA skills.

4th - 6th U.S. History

Also included in: The American Revolutionary War Bundle|Primary Source Investigations | Grades 4, 5, 6

Point of View & Perspective in Literature | Grades 3, 4, & 5

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Help students in Grades 3–5 master point of view and perspective with this comprehensive ELA Focus Unit! Students identify first, second, and third person narration, distinguish point of view from perspective, and explore how different characters interpret the same events. Includes multi-day lesson plans, anchor posters, task cards, graphic organizers, student practice pages, exit tickets, summative assessment, and answer keys. Works with picture books and other familiar texts.

3rd - 5th Literature

Indigenous People and the American Revolution | Primary Sources | American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore the impact of the American Revolution on Indigenous peoples in New York in this Grade 4 Social Studies lesson aligned with NYS Framework 4.3d. Students investigate divisions within the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Indigenous alliances, Joseph Brant's leadership, and the Battle of Oriskany through informational texts, primary source analysis, historical maps, and evidence-based writing. Includes student activities, note catchers, vocabulary support, assessments, and answer keys.

4th - 6th U.S. History

Also included in: The American Revolutionary War Bundle|Primary Source Investigations | Grades 4, 5, 6

The American Revolutionary War Bundle|Primary Source Investigations | Grades 4, 5, 6

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Teach the American Revolution with this comprehensive Grades 4–6 Social Studies bundle featuring 16 inquiry-based lessons from the French and Indian War through the Treaty of Paris. Students investigate key events, historical figures, and diverse perspectives through primary source analysis, informational texts, maps, artwork, and evidence-based writing. Includes historical investigations, discussion activities, and ELA integration.

4th - 6th U.S. History

New York State Map Buddies | Clock Buddies Alternative | Partner Pairing

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Make partner pairing easy with this FREE New York State Map Buddies resource! A geography-themed alternative to Clock Buddies, it helps Grade 4 teachers organize discussion partners, cooperative learning, and classroom activities while reinforcing NYS geography. Includes four printable buddy maps featuring New York State cities, counties, landforms, and regions, plus teacher directions. Perfect for turn-and-talk, reading partners, peer editing, and year-round classroom routines.

4th - 7th Other (Social Studies), For All Subjects

Back-to-School Family Engagement Activity | Parent Memory Book | Community Building

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Build classroom community and strengthen family connections with Looking Back: School Memories from Our Families! This back-to-school project invites parents, grandparents, and other important adults to share memories of their school days. Students compare experiences across generations and create a class keepsake book. Includes teacher directions, a family letter, memory page designs, color and black-and-white covers, assembly ideas, and extension activities.

2nd - 5th Other (ELA), Classroom Community, Social Emotional Learning

Classroom Routines & Procedures Review Cards | Behavior Expectations |Grades 2-6

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Reinforce classroom routines and behavior expectations with these printable Classroom Routines Review Cards! Perfect for back-to-school, morning meetings, transitions, and refreshers after breaks, students discuss and practice procedures that build independence and responsibility. Color-coded cards cover arrival, classroom behavior, movement, independent work, supplies, school-wide expectations, personal needs, and dismissal. Print, cut, and use all year long!

3rd - 5th Classroom Community

U.S.A. Founding Documents Unit | United States Founding | Grades 4, 5, 6

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

🏛️Explore the foundations of American government in this seven-lesson civics unit for upper elementary students. Students investigate the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Constitutional Convention, Great Compromise, Preamble, and Bill of Rights through informational texts, discussions, and critical thinking activities. Includes lesson plans, graphic organizers, card sorts, review activities, exit tickets, study guide, unit assessment, and answer keys.

4th - 6th U.S. History

September Grade 4 Morning Work/Bell Ringer/Enrichment| The New York Daily | SS & ELA Integrated

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Make September morning work meaningful with The New York Daily! This Grade 4 resource includes 20 no-prep NYS Social Studies and ELA activities for bell ringers, early finishers, enrichment, and centers. Students explore Labor Day, New York geography, Niagara Falls, New Netherland, Constitution Day, notable New Yorkers, and historical events through informational texts, primary sources, maps, graphs, and critical thinking tasks. Includes 20 printable activities for independent practice.

4th - 5th U.S. History, Other (Social Studies)

Also included in: 4th Grade Morning Work/Bell Ringer/Enrichment Bundle | September October November| The New York Daily |SS & ELA Integrated