The Best Social Studies Curriculum
Choosing social studies curriculum is highly dependent on age group and achievement level. Design your curriculum around appropriateness of topics, interest of students and state standards for social studies education. Keeping in mind these ideas, adapt content to include interactive activities for your students to deepen the level of understanding and promote class participation among all students.
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Primary Grade Social Studies Topics
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Kindergarten, first grade and second grade students would benefit from an introductory level of social studies to include community helpers, Martin Luther King Jr., Thanksgiving history, holiday traditions and state recognition. Study the ways that Martin Luther King Jr. has affected our nation by having students write in journals. You can reinforce lessons regarding how cultures celebrate the different December holidays through student art projects. Invite a community helper such as a doctor or fire chief to the class to talk about safety and hygiene. Discuss the state you live in, its capital city, bodies of water and the region's prominent industries and color them on a blank state map.
Upper Elementary Social Studies Topics
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Lewis and Clark expeditions, the Oregon Trail, introductory politics, community awareness and continents are lessons often taught in upper elementary classrooms. Encourage students to map the Oregon Trail and Lewis and Clark's adventures, incorporate a voting activity to teach children about politics, get involved in the community by picking up litter or making safety posters and teach the characteristics describing all seven continents as activities for your third, fourth and fifth grade students during social studies class.
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Middle School Social Studies Topics
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Middle school students often learn more advanced social studies topics including the United States Constitution, current events in the news, introductory anthropology and the history of immigrants. Encourage students to write their own constitution, incorporate public speaking with a current events news report, replicate an archeological dig and role play with immigration ideas to promote a more in-depth knowledge of social culture and the study of our government.
High School Social Studies Topics
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Social studies is often divided into more specific subjects in high school, including history, government, economics and geography. The history and contributions of our forefathers and presidential leaders, world cultures, economics including personal finance and the divisions of the federal government are just a few topics that you can discuss in high school social studies classes. Include interactive activities at the upper level as well to promote a deeper understanding of the concepts.
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- Photo Credit capital building image by Carol Wingert from Fotolia.com
