Oklahoma Social Studies 5.C.7.2.A
The Standard
- 5.C.7
- Summarize the growth of a new nation under the leadership of Presidents Washington, Adams, and Jefferson.
- 5.C.7.2
- Identify the significant work of President John Adams, which
ensured the new nation's ability to defend itself by strengthening the army and navy
Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies (2026) · 5.C.7.2
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students explain why the new United States built up its army and navy. They describe how the army defended on land and the navy defended ships and coastal waters.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Given a threat to a border town and an attack on a trading ship, a student can name the force best suited to each. They can explain how both forces helped protect the new country.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think the army and navy did the same job. Some assume the United States already had a large, permanent military when it became independent.
How to Assess It
- Ask: “A trading ship is attacked at sea, and a border town is threatened. Which force would you send to each place, and why?”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs an early U.S. map and paper ship and soldier cutouts; have them place each where it could help defend people.
Ask students to write: “What might happen to trading ships if the new country had an army but no navy?”
Play a card sort with “ship seized at sea” and “border fort attacked”; students choose army or navy and explain each pick.
Locate Naval Station Norfolk and Fort Riley on a map, then discuss how their locations fit sea and land defense.
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