South Dakota

South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is known for its diverse geography, including the Black Hills, Badlands National Park, and the Missouri River.

History

South Dakota has a rich history, with evidence of human habitation dating back thousands of years. The state was home to various Native American tribes, including the Lakota and Dakota Sioux. In 1889, South Dakota became the 40th state to join the Union.

Geography

South Dakota is characterized by its rolling plains, fertile farmland, and rugged terrain in the western part of the state. The Black Hills, a small mountain range, is a prominent feature and is home to the famous Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Economy

Agriculture plays a significant role in South Dakota's economy, with the state being a leading producer of corn, soybeans, and wheat. Additionally, tourism is a major industry, drawing visitors to attractions such as Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, and the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Government

The state government of South Dakota is divided into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The governor is the head of the executive branch, while the state legislature is responsible for making laws. The judicial branch includes the state's court system.

Interesting Facts

South Dakota is home to the famous annual motorcycle rally in Sturgis, which attracts thousands of bikers from around the world.
The state is known for its rich fossil deposits, particularly in the Badlands, where numerous dinosaur fossils have been discovered.
South Dakota is the only state that is home to two national grasslands: the Buffalo Gap National Grassland and the Grand River National Grassland.

Study Guide Questions

What are some key geographical features of South Dakota?
How did South Dakota become a state?
What role does agriculture play in South Dakota's economy?
Who is the head of the executive branch of South Dakota's government?
What are some interesting facts about South Dakota?

◂Social Studies Worksheets and Study Guides Fifth Grade. Middle Western Region US

Study Guide

Middle Western Region US

Worksheet/Answer key

Middle Western Region US

Worksheet/Answer key

Middle Western Region US

Worksheet/Answer key

Middle Western Region US

The resources above cover the following skills:

National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (NCSS)

TIME, CONTINUITY, AND CHANGE

SOCIAL STUDIES PROGRAMS SHOULD INCLUDE EXPERIENCES THAT PROVIDE FOR THE STUDY OF THE PAST AND ITS LEGACY.

KNOWLEDGE - Learners will understand:

The origins and influences of social, cultural, political, and economic systems.

PEOPLE, PLACES, AND ENVIRONMENTS

SOCIAL STUDIES PROGRAMS SHOULD INCLUDE EXPERIENCES THAT PROVIDE FOR THE STUDY OF PEOPLE, PLACES, AND ENVIRONMENTS.

KNOWLEDGE - Learners will understand:

Concerts such as: location, region, place, and migration, as well as human and physical systems.

The concept of regions identifies links between people in different locations according to specific criteria (e.g., physical, economic, social, cultural, or religious).

Patterns of demographic and political change, and cultural diffusion in the past and present (e.g., changing national boundaries, migration, and settlement, and the diffusion of and changes in customs and ideas).

PROCESSES - Learners will be able to:

Ask and find answers to geographic questions related to regions, nations, and the world in the past and present.

National Center for History in Schools (NCHS)

World History Content Standards

Era 8: A Half-Century of Crisis and Achievement, 1900-1945

The search for peace and stability in the 1920s and 1930s.

The student understands the interplay between scientific or technological innovations and new patterns of social and cultural life between 1900 and 1940.