Are you looking for great resources to help you plan and deliver social studies instruction at the elementary level? Boy, do I have the sites for you! Sit back, relax, and take this guided tour of some great places to start planning for next year. Turn up the volume on your computer so you don’t miss the audio portion many of these sites contain. Are you ready? LET’S GO!<\/p>\n
Let’s start with primary sources. These wonderful documents of our past make the study of history come alive for many students. The following sites will help you guide students in the use and interpretation of primary source documents.<\/p>\n
Library of Congress: What are Primary Sources?<\/strong>
\n <\/strong>http:\/\/memory.loc.gov\/ammem\/ndlpedu\/start\/prim_sources.html<\/a>
\nHistory Matters: Making Sense of Documents<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/historymatters.gmu.edu\/browse\/makesense\/<\/a>
\nIntegrating OurDocuments.gov Into the Classroom<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.ourdocuments.gov\/content.php?flash=true&page=integration <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nNow that you have some ideas for successfully integrating primary sources into instruction, here are a wealth of sites that make primary sources available to your students with just the click of a mouse!<\/p>\n
Library of Congress: American Memory Project<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/memory.loc.gov\/ammem\/<\/a>
\nThe National Archives: Charters of Freedom<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.archives.gov\/national-archives-experience\/charters\/charters.html<\/a>
\nDeclaring Independence: Drafting the Documents<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.loc.gov\/exhibits\/declara\/<\/a>
\nPrimary Documents in American History<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.loc.gov\/rr\/program\/bib\/ourdocs\/PrimDocsHome.html<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nOnce your students become comfortable with primary sources, you may want to turn them into historical detectives. Here are some terrific resources for doing just that.<\/p>\n
History Detectives: How-To Guides<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.pbs.org\/opb\/historydetectives\/diy\/index.html<\/a>
\nHistory Trail: How to Do History<\/strong>
\n <\/strong>http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/history\/lj\/how_to_do_historylj\/preview.shtml<\/a>
\n<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nLet’s move on to geography. The National Geography standards define a geographically informed person as one who knows and understands (1) the world in spatial terms; (2) places and regions; (3) physical systems; (4) human systems; (5) environment and society; and (6) the uses of geography. Whew! That’s a tall order! The best place to start is the National Geographic<\/strong> site for geography standards in the classroom. You will find a wealth of lesson plans, interactive activities, and maps. For more on maps, the U.S. Geological Survey<\/strong> has some terrific resources online.<\/p>\n
National Geographic Xpeditions<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/xpeditions\/<\/a>
\n <\/a>USGS Learning Web: Lesson Plans <\/strong>(Scroll down to geography and maps.)
\nhttp:\/\/education.usgs.gov\/common\/primary.htm<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nDo you want to know more about specific places in your home state or in the big, wide world? Here are some sites to start with.<\/p>\n
IPL Kidspace: Stately Knowledge<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.ipl.org\/div\/kidspace\/stateknow\/skhome.html<\/a>
\n <\/a>FactMonster World Geography<\/strong>
\n <\/strong>http:\/\/www.factmonster.com\/ipka\/A0770414.html<\/a>
\n Time for Kids: Around the World<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.timeforkids.com\/TFK\/kids\/hh\/goplaces<\/a>
\nUnited Nations Country at a Glance
\n<\/strong>http:\/\/cyberschoolbus.un.org\/infonation\/index.asp<\/a>
\n<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nIf its maps you are looking for, look no further than these online collections.<\/p>\n
Perry-Casta\u00c3\u00b1eda Library Map Collection<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.lib.utexas.edu\/maps\/<\/a>
\nLibrary of Congress Map Collections: 1500-2004<\/strong>
\n <\/strong>http:\/\/memory.loc.gov\/ammem\/gmdhtml\/gmdhome.html <\/a>
\n Census Bureau Map Products<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.census.gov\/geo\/www\/maps\/CP_MapProducts.htm<\/a>
\n Houghton Mifflin Outline Maps<\/strong>
\n <\/strong>http:\/\/www.eduplace.com\/ss\/maps\/ <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nLet’s move on to economics. Lots of teachers are a bit uncomfortable with this topic. Here are a few sites that offer some background information that can be used by kids and teachers alike.<\/p>\n
Social Studies for Kids: Economics<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.socialstudiesforkids.com\/subjects\/economicsbasic.htm <\/a>
\nEconopolis<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/library.thinkquest.org\/3901\/ <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nOnce you are familiar with economics concepts, you’ll need some ideas for the classroom. There are many wonderful resources online for teaching elementary economics concepts. Begin with the National Center for Economic Education<\/strong>, a site that has more than 400 lesson plan ideas for you to browse!<\/p>\n
NCEE Online Lessons<\/strong>
\n <\/strong>http:\/\/www.ncee.net\/resources\/lessons.php<\/a>
\n EconEdWeb<\/strong>
\n <\/strong>http:\/\/ecedweb.unomaha.edu\/lessons\/lessonsK-5.cfm<\/a>
\n MoneyInstructor.com: Elementary Economics Lessons <\/strong>(Many lessons and materials are free, but you must register to access them.)
\n <\/strong>http:\/\/www.moneyinstructor.com\/elementary.asp<\/a>
\nKidsEconPosters – Literature Connections<\/strong>
\n <\/strong>http:\/\/www.kidseconposters.com\/keb\/Literature%20Connection.htm
\n<\/a>Economics and Geography Lessons for 32 Children’s Books<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20071203015008\/http:\/\/www.mcps.k12.md.us\/curriculum\/socialstd\/Econ_Geog.html
\n<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nSince you’ve just visited two sites that focus on children’s literature, let’s take some time now to look for a few good books to use in your social studies lessons. Here are some great sites to help you find titles that work for different concepts in social studies. Start your search with one of these searchable databases of children’s books. Enter a keyword and see what comes up. (Be careful entering keywords in the first database, as you are limited to 10 characters!)<\/p>\n
Children’s Picture Book Database<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.lib.muohio.edu\/pictbks\/<\/a>
\nDatabase of Award Winning Children’s Literature<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.dawcl.com\/search.asp<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nIn addition to these sites, you can also find annotations for social studies books online. The National Council for the Social Studies<\/strong>, in conjunction with the Children’s Book Council, publishes a list of notable trade books each year. Also, PBS Teacher Source<\/strong> updates its list of social studies books monthly. Check out the new recommendations and search the archive.<\/p>\n
Notable Trade Books for Young People<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.socialstudies.org\/resources\/notable\/<\/a>
\nPBS TeacherSource Recommended Books for Social Studies<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.pbs.org\/teachers\/bookslinks\/bookspages\/socialstudies.html<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nLet’s go back to content and think a bit about civics. This is the area of the social studies curriculum where we teach about citizenship, democracy, and how our government works. Start with Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government<\/strong>, a truly comprehensive site that is written at a variety of grade levels, making it appealing to kids of all ages.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\nBen’s Guide to U.S. Government for Kids<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/bensguide.gpo.gov\/<\/a>
\nCongress for Kids<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/congressforkids.net\/
\n<\/a>Kids in the House
\n<\/strong>http:\/\/clerkkids.house.gov\/
\n<\/a>infoUSA<\/strong>
\n <\/strong>http:\/\/usinfo.state.gov\/usa\/infousa\/
\n<\/a>Children’s Books and Web Sites About the U.S. Government
\n<\/strong>http:\/\/www.corzine.senate.gov\/reference\/bibliography\/kids\/kids.htm<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nThe last big content area, and the one that first comes to mind when folks hear the words “social studies,” is history. I would need several more pages just to list all the great sites that are out there for the study of history. Since I can’t possibly do this area justice, let’s start by focusing on some comprehensive sites and those that offer quick “today in history” facts.<\/p>\n
Kidipede: History for Kids<\/strong>
\n <\/strong>http:\/\/www.historyforkids.org\/<\/a>
\nBrowse the World at Mr.Dowling.com<\/strong>
\n <\/strong>http:\/\/www.mrdowling.com\/index.html<\/a>
\nBBC History for Kids
\n<\/strong>http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/history\/forkids\/
\n<\/a>BBC Ancient History
\n<\/strong>http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/history\/ancient\/
\n<\/a>America’s Story<\/strong>
\n <\/strong>http:\/\/www.americaslibrary.gov\/cgi-bin\/page.cgi<\/a>
\n Freedom: A History of US<\/strong>
\n <\/strong>http:\/\/www.pbs.org\/wnet\/historyofus\/index.html <\/a>
\n The History Channel: This Day in History<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.historychannel.com\/tdih\/tdih.jsp?category=leadstory <\/a>
\nInfoplease: This Day in History<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.infoplease.com\/dayinhistory <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nNow that you have reviewed varied topics within the social studies, it’s probably time to find a lesson plan. Here are some sites that offer a wide range of lessons and activity ideas.<\/p>\n
Educator’s Desk Reference: Social Studies Lesson Plans<\/strong>
\n <\/strong>http:\/\/www.eduref.org\/cgi-bin\/lessons.cgi\/Social_Studies<\/a>
\nAcademy Curriculum Exchange: K-5 Social Studies<\/strong>
\n <\/strong>http:\/\/ofcn.org\/cyber.serv\/academy\/ace\/soc\/elem.html<\/a>
\nUEN Resources: K-2 Core Lesson Plans<\/strong> (Scroll to content to find social studies lessons.)
\n <\/strong>http:\/\/www.uen.org\/Lessonplan\/LPview.cgi?core=1209<\/a>
\nUEN Resources: 3-6 Social Studies Lessons<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.uen.org\/Lessonplan\/LPview.cgi?core=4<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nSo, your lessons are planned and you have all your resources ready. How are you going to assess student learning? Here are some sites with ideas for evaluating student work, developing rubrics, and more.<\/p>\n
Social Studies: Classroom Based Assessment<\/strong>
\n <\/strong>http:\/\/www.k12.wa.us\/assessment\/WASL\/socialstudies\/default.aspx<\/a>
\nAuthentic Assessment of Social Studies<\/strong>
\n <\/strong>http:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/documents\/MI_Auth_12350_7.AssmtMan.pdf <\/a>
\nAlternative Assessments in Geography<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.coe.ilstu.edu\/iga\/interact\/index.htm<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nAre you interested in making a home-school connection? Here are some resources to involve parents.<\/p>\n
\nEarly Childhood: Where Learning Begins – Geography
\n<\/strong> http:\/\/www.ed.gov\/pubs\/Geography\/index.html<\/a>
\n Helping Your Child Become a Responsible Citizen
\n<\/strong> http:\/\/www.ed.gov\/print\/parents\/academic\/help\/citizen\/index.html<\/a>
\n Helping Your Child Learn Geography
\n<\/strong> http:\/\/www.ed.gov\/pubs\/parents\/Geography\/index.html<\/a>
\n Helping Your Child Learn History
\n<\/strong> http:\/\/www.ed.gov\/pubs\/parents\/History\/index.html<\/a>
\n How to Help Children Become Geographically Literate
\n<\/strong> http:\/\/ccge.org\/programs\/geoliteracy\/docs\/children_geographically_literate.pdf
\n<\/a>Parents Helping Children Learn Social Studies
\n<\/strong> http:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/documents\/Parents_Helping_Students_12344_7.pdf<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nBy now you should realize that there are so many resources on the web for social studies, that I can’t possibly include them all here. I hope this tour helped you find some resources you can use and excited you about the possibilities of using online resources for both planning and delivering instruction.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Are you looking for great resources to help you plan and deliver social studies instruction at the elementary level? Boy, do I have the sites for you! Sit back, relax, and take this guided tour of some great places to … Continue reading