Social Studies Lesson Plans

In this lesson students identify core social studies subjects. They discuss key issues from twentieth century American history of the social studies and identify key social studies concepts taught at elementary grade levels. They modify this activity to work with elementary social studies students.

Students enjoy reading books before each new unit of Social Studies. In this lesson, the author offers several different books for K-3 grade relating to Social Studies Standards. Students will benefit from the teacher reading a picture book at the start of each new Social Studies unit. Students are introduced through the picture book to the next unit they will be studying.

5th graders use the Internet to read more about social studies topics. In this social studies lesson, 5th graders go to sites related to Native Americans, Explorers, French and Indian War, Revolutionary War, and the Constitution. 

This lesson has learners engage in a lesson that is concerned with the teaching of Elementary Social Studies. They are introduced to the technology resources available for teaching. Then learners are shown specific strategies for using technology in a variety of contexts.

Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the development of skills in the realm of teaching strategies needed for Social Studies. They participate in delivering content using several strategies that are demonstrated by the teacher.

5th graders create note outlines utilizing past research notes.  In this college prep lesson, 5th graders review social studies facts they learned in their class throughout the year and create an efficient outline to organize their information.  5th graders view a social studies video with their classmates.

In this lesson students distinguish between curriculum and instruction. The utilize concept mapping strategies to organize a philosophy of elementary social studies education. They explain the process they underwent to organize their information and to identify their categorical headings.

Students conduct Internet research to develop a working definition for the discipline of social studies. From a list of provided sites, they develop classification skills and are able to differentiate between primary and secondary sources. Following a visit to the American Museum of Natural History, students work in groups to create dioramas based on their observations there.

Students identify various methods of assessment utilized in social studies classrooms. They design non-traditional assessments for use in elementary-level social studies classrooms and discuss what assessment methods may be most appropriate for their grade levels and unit themes.

Students engage in a study of incorporating literature into the Social Studies classroom. They review a variety of literature sources and then create a bulletin board with the information. Then students practice using the Reader's Theater teaching strategy.