K-6 Social Studies
December
Integrate your Social Studies TEKS into Other Parts of the Day
Do you feel like you are always running out of time to teach social studies TEKS to their depth and complexity?
Buy yourself some more time, integrate your ELA instruction with your SS curriculum.
For example:
3rd grade social studies TEK: Government. The student understands the basic structure and function of various levels of government. The student is expected to: 9A--describe the basic structure of government in the local community, state, and nation.
Ideas:
* Have students read with their reading partner and post it about the different structures of government and add information to a graphic organizer.
* Have the students write to compare and contrast the basic structure of government.
* Have the students make a technology presentation to describe the different basic structures. (Technology presentations: Prezi, emaze, PowerPoint, Smore)
* Put students in groups of 3 and have them jigsaw the different structures for local community, state, and nation. Then they will get back and teach their small group what they've learned.
* Have students be creative and create a way to share the information they have learned. You could let them pick from all different types of options such as, write a paper, write a song, create an informative picture book, a poem, create a PowerPoint/emaze/smore presentation, create a visual representation, and etc. All you would need to do is teach the information to the students, give them a rubric, and let them guide their own learning.
There are so many ways to integrate reading and writing into social studies. As you plan with your teams, make it a point to find how you can integrate more and get students excited about social studies. Does it always have to include technology, no but it might increase your students' engagement during your social studies lessons.
Integration Research and Resources:
http://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/free-resources/literacy/social-studies-in-literacy-routines
http://www.benchmarkeducation.com/best-practices-library/social-studies-content-integration.html
Technology ideas:
Seven Candles for Kwanzaa by Andrea Davis Pinkey
In this spirited introduction to Kwanzaa, Andrea Davis Pinkney explains the meaning of the week-long African-American winter holiday and the special way each day is celebrated. The text is simple and straightforward, and pronunciation guides are provided for the Swahili words sprinkled throughout. Filled with facts about the festival, this is a perfect selection for anyone interested in learning more about this unique holiday.
Celebrations! by Barnabas Kindersley; Anabel Kindersley
Everyone loves a special occasion -- be it New Year in Hong Kong, Diwali in India, or Carnival in Rio. For Man Po, Sonu, and Janaina, the locations may be different, but the preparations, the excitement, and the atmosphere of their favorite festivals are the same. This remarkable new book from photographer and writer team Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley captures the color and vibrancy of international children's festivals. For 12 months Barnabas and Anabel have traveled around the world, meeting children and talking to them about the celebrations and festivals they enjoy. The children's stories are recorded in this beautiful book, which is published in association with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Original photography and the children's own words bring to life many of the world's major religious and local celebrations from countries as far apart as Japan and Mexico, India, and Sweden. From the dazzling costumes of the Rio Carnival to the role of the elephants in Sri Lanka's Esal Perahera, children everywhere will love learning about the festivals and the wonderful ways that these events are celebrated around the world.
Christmas Around the World by Chuck Fischer
Master pop-up artist Chuck Fischer's most glorious creation yet -- CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD is the perfect holiday gift. FeaturingFrance,Germany,Russia, Latin America,Scandinavia,Great Britain,Italy, and theUnited States, every spread is packed with delights: a luxurious central pop-up image, plus removable booklets, pullouts, mini pop-ups, and more. The text illuminates unique Christmas traditions, gift legacies, and portraits of mythic figures, such asEngland's Father Christmas andItaly's Le Befana. LikeChristmas in New York, CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD is destined to become a treasured keepsake and a bestseller for years to come.
Primary and Secondary Sources: Have you used one yet?
Have you and your team introduced students to primary and secondary sources?
Remember, back in October and November we talked about the benefits of teaching primary and secondary sources to our students.
As a reminder:
Primary sources are documents or physical objects that were written or created during the time under study. They offer an insider view point into a particular historical event.
Types of primary sources:
diaries, speeches, letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies, pamphlets, and even personal narratives.
Secondary sources are interpret and analyze primary sources. They may have pictures, quotes, or graphics of primary sources in them.
Types of secondary sources:
textbooks, magazine articles, histories, commentaries, criticisms, encyclopedias.
Don't forget to check out these resources:
http://www.socialstudiescentral.com/content/primary-sources
http://teachinghistory.org/issues-and-research/research-brief/23783
Meredith Davis
Email: meredith.davis@southlakecarroll.edu
Website: www.southlakecarroll.edu
Location: 2400 N. Carroll Ave.
Phone: 817.949.8247
Twitter: @carrollcurric
K-6 Social Studies Materials Adoption update
Thank you so much for filling out the K-4 Adoption materials survey! I will be contacting the K-3 Social Studies Adoption committee with the next steps soon.
Right now, grades 4-6 are previewing social studies textbooks and online resources. Take some time and look at their sites. Feel free to use some of the lessons to see how it works for you. You will need to return your rubrics by Friday, January 9th. After all rubrics are returned, we will move forward with your recommendations.
Remember, CISD is a closed district. This means no publishers are able to send materials or talk with you without going through me first.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email me. I appreciate your feedback as we begin looking at adoption materials for next school year.
Social Studies Shout Outs!
DBQ completion for JES 4th graders! I loved seeing how well our students can write when it comes to expository essays. They were working on how Cabeza de Vaca survived in the wilderness.
DBQ completion for DIS 5th graders! It was definitely challenging, but they were capable of finishing an essay over the Colony of Jamestown.
5th graders at EIS had a fun time Skype-ing with the Boston Tea Party Museum this week! What an engaging and unique experience for our students!
Please share any exciting work and activities your students are doing in Social Studies! Those were the ones I saw with my own two eyes! Also, please invite me to see amazing work from your little historians any time! Let's get more shout outs next month!
Please share your student celebrations in social studies in the comment box.