Georgia SS5H5.c

Social Studies5th GradeHistorical Understandings

The Standard

Identify Joseph McCarthy and Nikita Khrushchev.

Georgia Standards of Excellence for Social Studies · Discuss the origins and consequences of the Cold War.

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students distinguish Joseph McCarthy, a U.S. senator, from Nikita Khrushchev, a leader of the Soviet Union. They explain each man’s role in Cold War fear and conflict.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students correctly match McCarthy with anti-communist accusations in the United States. They match Khrushchev with Soviet leadership and events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think McCarthy was a president or Soviet leader. They may confuse Khrushchev with Joseph Stalin or believe he led the United States during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Identify each man’s country and role, then write one sentence explaining how each was connected to the Cold War.

Lesson moves

Sort photo, role, country, and event cards into McCarthy and Khrushchev folders, then explain each choice to a partner.
Write: How did McCarthy spread fear at home, while Khrushchev represented conflict with the Soviet Union abroad?
Play Who Am I? using clues such as U.S. senator, Soviet leader, communist accusations, and Cuban Missile Crisis.
Read a current U.S.-Russia headline, then identify whether it concerns domestic accusations, international rivalry, or both.

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