What Is Social Studies in Elementary School?
What is social science? Social studies is a study of history and the present. Among the essential skills children need for life are the ability to think critically. Elementary school social studies programs must address all of these issues, but the challenges of integrating them into daily school routines are not insurmountable. In fact, teachers must devote adequate time each day to the subject. Support from local, state, and national levels is vital for ensuring effective social studies programs.
Passport to social studies curriculum
NYCDOE’s Passport to Social Studies is a comprehensive instructional resource that supports the development of strong social studies education. It features a variety of primary sources, trade books, and documents that support student inquiry. The curriculum’s diverse content supports rigorous social studies instruction and supports the Next Generation Learning Standards. Students will also enjoy the hands-on workshop activities and architectural drawing that accompany the social studies curriculum. A few lessons are devoted to specific events or themes, such as the Civil War.
The Passport to Social Studies curriculum was developed with the goal of enhancing interdisciplinary teaching at P.S. 120. The program is organized around newly developed units of study and guides educators in planning lessons around essential questions. Teachers work with grade teams to plan lessons based on the content and knowledge objectives that each student must master. By including literacy and other aspects of the curriculum, teachers are able to meet the needs of individual students. This curriculum helps teachers provide high-quality social studies and ELA instruction in the elementary school level.
Exploring artifacts
For students, exploring artifacts in social studies in elementary schools is a fun way to learn more about the past and the culture of a particular region. Students can learn about the purpose of an object through observation and write an essay answering questions on a data sheet. If they do not have access to a computer, archives are a good place to find answers. For extra credit, students can check their answers using an artifact key.
This approach makes the content of social studies less like facts to memorize and more like a meaningful framework of knowledge. It encourages students to think critically and creatively. By engaging students in an investigation, they foster student inquiry, develop multiple modes of thinking, and become more engaged in learning. Research shows that students are active constructors of meaning and are more likely to learn new material when they are physically involved, are able to make connections with the object, and ask questions.
Connecting the past with the present
In social studies, students learn about different civilizations and the ways they intertwined the past and present. These civilizations’ geographic characteristics shaped the way people lived and what they ate, and they shaped the political landscape and overall economic conditions of countries. Teachers can explore various types of content, such as newspaper accounts and travelers’ diaries, to create an understanding of the past. For a more detailed study, educators can use a theme that focuses on one civilization, but teaches students the connections between various cultures.
In the third grade, students study the role of citizens in a democratic society and the significance of historical events. They also investigate the history of Washington, D.C., and the planning of the nation’s capital. Students complete individual projects about this city. Ultimately, social studies in elementary school connects the past and present in an interdisciplinary way. The lessons teach students to think critically about the past, enabling them to analyze the current situation and challenge the “one-size-fits-all” view of history.
Developing critical-thinking skills
Developing critical-thinking skills is a fundamental skill for citizens in the 21st century. Critical thinking enables students to understand and engage in social issues and develop solutions. Many elementary students lack the critical-thinking skills necessary to engage in social discussions. They often struggle with drawing conclusions and effectively expressing their ideas in dialogue. Below are some tips for helping students develop critical-thinking skills in social studies.
Story-based educational materials and critical-thinking tools can help students develop these skills. In one study, educators used cartoons to develop lessons about disability rights. Other lessons involved students reflecting on challenges faced by people with disabilities. These lessons incorporated the use of narrative resources, political cartoons, and critical thinking tools. By incorporating these methods into lessons, students were able to develop their social studies skills and make connections that were not previously present.