In fourth grade, students begin the formal study of United States history. At this grade, the four strands of history, geography, civics, and economics and fully integrated. Students begin their study of United States history with the development of Native American cultures and conclude with the antebellum period ending in 1860. The grography strand emphasizes the influence of geography on early US history. The civics strand emphasizes concepts and rights developed during the formation of our government. The economics strand uses material from the historical strand to further understanding of economic concepts.