NYS/NYC PDRC
  • Webinar Registration
    • PDRC Brochure
  • Chat & Network
  • Newsletters
    • Fordham PDRC Monthly Newsletter
    • PDRC News Articles
    • ARCHIVED NEWSLETTERS
  • Self-Directed Learning
    • Fordham PDRC Self-Directed Learning
  • About PDRC
    • Services
    • Contact Us
    • Our Team
PDRC Logo

Social Studies through Digital Resources

1/5/2024

0 Comments

 
Written by Alexis D’Angelo, Center for Educational Partnerships
Picture
​Highly engaging social studies lessons promoting critical thinking skills and higher-level discussion are possible in early elementary and middle grades. Social studies lessons are often the forgotten subject among the major academic areas in these grades. Elementary teachers in kindergarten through fifth grade often focus on ELA and math instruction tied to testing expectations. However, social studies instruction builds many higher-level reading and inference skills as well as logical thinking which supports ELA and math skills. The key is finding engaging lessons for elementary education classes without piling even more lesson planning pressure on classroom teachers.

​Many elementary teachers are forced to rely on canned textbook curriculum programs. Unfortunately, the easiest way for students to lose interest in social studies is to rely on a social studies textbook. In the limited time devoted to social studies instruction, high-impact lessons are the best way forward. However, this can be intimidating to create for contained classroom teachers who are responsible for teaching all the major subjects.
Picture
​Luckily, interest in supporting social studies education from a younger age has spurred the development of many free digital resources. No-prep and low-prep social studies classroom resources are now available for kindergarten through fifth-grade students.

iCivics

​iCivics has been a favorite for years among middle and high school teachers. The recently added Private I History Detectives series is a new component focused solely on the K - 5 market.  History mysteries are organized by grade and social studies units. Within each unit, there are three to five pre-made lessons including PowerPoint/Google Slides featuring the signature iCivics cartoon characters leading students on an inquiry-based investigation. Teachers use digital slides to present the lesson and premade handouts allow the students to interact with the lesson questions such as “What is the Difference Between Then and Now?” And “How Does a Tradition Become a Holiday?” Free.
​

PBS Learning Media

PBS has a full complement of K through 5th-grade lessons utilizing the extensive PBS video library. The website allows teachers to access pre-made lessons and materials through a filtered search feature. Teachers can build on the resources already available. Free.
​

Google Earth

Google Earth has many features for K - 5th grade students such as “Take a tour with Google Earth” and “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?”  Teachers can introduce new cultures, traditions, holidays, and careers using a variety of Google Earth tours. The tours combined with discussion techniques such as think-pair-share, turn and turn, sticky note storm, etc. Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego works best with 3rd through 5th grades. Students participate in interactive hunts for the title character while applying geographic knowledge in a kid-friendly format. Free.
​
Social studies education in early elementary school introduces students to diverse cultures, traditions, and customs, develops a sense of respect and understanding for people with different backgrounds and perspectives, and creates a sense of belonging and connection to the community. Social studies introduce basic concepts that help students understand the world around them. Augmenting social studies instruction using digital resources supports these goals while giving students the fun they crave in learning.
0 Comments

    Archives

    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020

    Categories

    All
    Featured Article
    Leadership
    PDRC Updates
    Teacher Spotlight

© 2023 NYS/NYC PDRC. All rights reserved.
  • Webinar Registration
    • PDRC Brochure
  • Chat & Network
  • Newsletters
    • Fordham PDRC Monthly Newsletter
    • PDRC News Articles
    • ARCHIVED NEWSLETTERS
  • Self-Directed Learning
    • Fordham PDRC Self-Directed Learning
  • About PDRC
    • Services
    • Contact Us
    • Our Team