Category: social studies
Pilgrims, Pioneers, and Native Americans: Confusion in the Classroom
Unlike Hallowe’en, Thanksgiving is one of the holidays we are required to study in the classroom. Our state social studies standards mandate the study of Thanksgiving for three years in a row, and the relationship of Native Americans and Pilgrims for five straight years. Since there are some confusions that… Continue reading
Ancient Egypt with Google Earth
Google Earth has obvious connections for social studies: visit the locations you’re studying and find out all kinds of things about their physical geography. Another very popular way to use Google Earth for social studies lesson is to create a “tour” — that is, a series of locations with… Continue reading
Discovery Channel
Mummies Lesson Plans
We met this mummy at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. We appreciate their giving us permission to take and use these photos. Read more about this mummy on the Nelson-Atkins website. Mummifying the bodies of people when they died was a way that the ancient Egyptians showed… Continue reading
Ancient Egypt Lesson Plans
Some of our favorite books for Egypt units: Bill and Pete Go Down the Nile Muti’s Necklace: The Oldest Story in the World The Egyptian Cinderella The Egypt Game Mara, Daughter of the Nile The Golden Goblet The Egyptology Handbook: A Course in the Wonders of Egypt Pyramids: 50 Hands-On… Continue reading
Hansel and Gretel Lesson Plans
Hansel and Gretel is a good, horrible fairy tale for when you want a creepy story. The University of Pittsburgh collection contains the basic Grimm’s version. The story is certainly among the most familiar of fairy tales. A poor woodcutter and his wife, faced with starvation, abandon their two children… Continue reading
Holiday Traditions Lesson Plans
Every culture observes special days of some kind, and the traditions associated with these holidays are often important elements of the cultural identity and experience. As you’re looking at holidays celebrated in your own community, why not explore some of those celebrated by neighbors of different cultural heritages? We’ve… Continue reading
Homes Lesson Plans
We all need homes, and the study of homes allows us to meet a lot of standards in social studies. Here are ideas for various grade levels: K-3: How Homes are Built Homes of Our Own, a coloring book available as a free download from United-Bilt Homes, makes a… Continue reading
Community Scavenger Hunt
Watch our video exploring our neighborhoods, and then send your students out with a worksheet to find contrasts in their own neighborhoods. Continue reading