Help Needed!
As a elementary school teacher, I am always searching for valuable information on how to provide quality social studies instruction in a way that sparks the interest of my students. I am always searching for ways to engage my students in the social studies lesson that are fun, innovative, and thought provoking. The purpose of this blog is for educational purposes. Please provide any information relating to social studies instruction in the elementary school classroom.
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ReplyDeleteTiffany,
ReplyDeleteIt is hard at times for students to enjoy social studies. The truth is many times it is hard to understand what we have not experienced ourselves. I think a good way to help the children to at least see what social studies is about is doing hands on activities. As the teacher, you could have them put on skits about different parts of social studies. There are also many education videos that they could watch. The students could research a subject and make a project on that subject. There are also a few websites that could be visited. Here are a few: www.socialstudiesforkids.com/, http://kids.usa.gov/social-studies/, http://www.brainpop.com/search/search.weml?keyword=Social%20Studies%20Games§ions=games. The thing is that we are going to have to make it interesting and relevant to their life for them to understand social studies. I hope you have luck teaching social studies this year!
Neileigh,
DeleteHands-on activities is a great idea to get students involved in the lesson. Students are always eager to move around and take a part in the activity. Skits and videos are a really good ideas to incorporate as well. Thank you so much for all of the information.
Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteWhen most people think of social studies the first thing that comes to mine is that it is boring. Social studies can be a very fun an exciting subject to teach. Something I use in my classroom with my students is Reader Theater. When I teach social studies I get into character to help students understand life from the past. Students are very motivated and want to also participate. Maybe this is something that will help in your classroom. Good Luck.
B George
Brandon,
DeleteReader's Theater is something that I often use during the reading block. I have never thought about incorporating it into Social Studies. This is a great idea that I will implement during my Social Studies lessons.
Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteSocial studies can encompass so many topics and of course, some of them will be more interesting than others. I think it is important to design activities that are fun, hands on and relatable for the children. Younger children would have a great time with a unit on community helpers; using boxes to make vehicles, dressing up/role playing and going on a field trip. Older students could have a unit the same topic but maybe the angle could be career oriented. Speakers from different community jobs, a field trip would still be appropriate and maybe a cooking activity that a local chef/baker might prepare. A little creativity and thinking outside the box can go a long way.
Stephanie,
DeleteWhen I taught Kindergarten community helpers was something that the students really enjoyed learning about. That is a really great idea to role play and create vehicles and go on a field trip. That is an absolutely fantastic idea. Will have to share with some of the Kindergarten teachers at the school.
When I was younger, I was not a big fan of Social Studies because of the way some of my teachers presented their lessons. Students like lots of visuals and interactive activities. I grew up in New England and one trip that I always remembered was visiting Plymouth Plantation and the Mayflower. We read about the Pilgrims in our books, but to actually see how they lived and to see people playing the roles of the people at that time made it come alive to us. We can't always go on an actual field trip for everything, but there are many online resources where you can create a virtual field trip. I also just started giving my students online scavenger hunts. I give them a list of questions and they have to search for the answers online.
ReplyDeleteMelissa,
DeleteI agree that sometimes Social Studies lessons can be quite boring. A virtual field trip would definitely spark the interest of my students, and they will want to learn more. Thanks for the great ideas.