Social Studies Teacher Resources

Learning more about the world around you is the first step in becoming a global citizen. Whether it’s a lesson on world history, geography, or international cultures, social studies is an important way to engage students with the stories and experiences of others.

For young learners, a lesson connects the themes of their everyday lives with common concepts from social studies. Use a presentation on American history, symbols, and leaders to teach class members about the basics of American culture.

An American history lesson compares the treatment of women in American society today with the Salem Witch Trials of the seventeenth century. Couple the resource with a complete American history curriculum, perfect for middle schoolers.

Want to connect social studies to the arts? Use an innovative resource to discuss social conflict and political protest with abstract art and song lyrics. Language arts students can write diary entries from the perspective of a historical figure with a thought-provoking writing activity.

Preparing your students to be citizens of the world may be your job, but preparing you for teaching the best lesson ever is Lesson Planet’s job!

Showing 31,092 resources
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Fourth Grade Social Studies

For Teachers 4th
In this social studies worksheet, 4th graders answer multiple choice questions on state maps, city maps, road maps, political maps, and more. Students complete 25 multiple choice questions.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Third Grade Social Studies-Multiple Choice Activity

For Students 3rd
In this grade 3 social studies worksheet, 3rd graders complete a set of 25 questions about a variety of topics including geography, types of communities, map and questions about the environment.
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Lesson Plan
Agriculture in the Classroom

A Holiday Tradition: Which Christmas Tree Will You Choose?

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Different varieties of Christmas trees provide an interesting way to combine social studies, science, math, and technology. Class members not only research the history of the Christmas tree holiday tradition, they compare and contrast...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reformers versus Residents in Five Points: A Role Play

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Social Studies and role-playing can go hand in hand. Learners use supporting evidence found in primary and secondary source material to develop a character from the Five Points neighborhood in the 1850s. Each student takes on the role of...
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Baseball: The Tenth Inning - Bases Divided

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Baseball is a relatively high-interest topic through which social studies classes can explore racial prejudice in the US. Video clips provide much of the background information that groups record on their handout and then share with the...
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Instructional Video4:48
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Apple Macintosh, 1984

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Wow! Here is a historically important video which shows a very young Steve Jobs introducing the first Macintosh computer. It's amazing to see the little machine, and what it can do is quite impressive. A fantastic video for any course on...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Social Studies: The Book of Exodus

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Intended for a Christian audience, bible study, or home-school setting, this lesson has learners analyzing the significance of the ten commandments in today's world. They consider the commandments themselves, discuss their historical and...
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Lesson Plan
K20 LEARN

But What About Me?: Teaching Perspective In The Social Studies Classroom

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
How would the story of the discovery of America be different if indigenous people told it through their eyes? Individuals compare the conventional account of this moment in history to an account given by one of the native peoples. After...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Social Studies Current Event Worksheet

For Students 7th - 12th
Who, what, when, where, why, and how. This current events worksheet uses the traditional news article format and asks reviewers to record information included in a self-selected, current events article. Class members then use the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

7th Grade Social Studies: Chapter 10, Greek City-States

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Doubling as a lecture and series of class activities, this presentation takes your students through many important aspects of ancient Greek culture. In addition to great information about ancient Greece, the presentation intersperses...
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PPT
Curated OER

Mapping It Out: Social Studies Online

For Teachers 2nd
A great way to introduce 2nd graders to map skills would be to use this presentation. The visuals are inviting and the layout is easy to understand. This would be a terrific way to cover the basics on how to read a map. There is also a...
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Organizer
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Common Core Sheets

Reading a Timeline

For Students 3rd - 8th Standards
Sometimes the most important details of an informational text aren't within the text at all. Teach your class how to read timeline with a set of activities that prompts them to find specific dates and events on the timelines, as well as...
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Instructional Video2:41
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Christopher Reeve Talks About his Wheelchair

For Teachers Pre-K - K
How should your class react when they meet a person in a wheel chair? Is it OK to ask questions? Christopher Reeve says it is. Mr. Reeve answers the questions Big Bird and Zoe have about his wheel chair and the things he needs to get...
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Instructional Video2:47
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My Dad's Racing

For Teachers Pre-K - K
With a focus on Social Studies , this video shows a young girl helping her father, who is in a wheelchair, while he races at a track. This would be a great way to begin an exploration of the topic of Social Studies . It focuses on what...
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Instructional Video17:54
TED-Ed

A Global Culture to Fight Extremism

For Students 11th - Higher Ed Standards
"Have you ever wondered why extremism seems to have been on the rise in Muslim-majority countries over the course of the last decade? Have you ever wondered how such a situation can be turned around?" This is a fantastic resource to...
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Unit Plan
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Facing History and Ourselves

BPS Civil Rights

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Include moments of heroism in a social studies module that includes three units. Focusing on the murder of Emmett Till, the movement of nonviolent resistance, and segregating schools in Boston, the units explore key events of the civil...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction To The European Union

For Teachers 9th - 11th
A lot happened to European economics, policy, and social systems after WWII. This 24 page social studies packet provides images, reading passages, comprehension questions, and critical thinking questions regarding all things Europe from...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Grow a Musical Instrument

For Teachers K - 6th
Music, culture, social studies, and plant growth all in one! Kids explore the various type of traditional African instruments that are made out of gourds. They then grow their own gourds and use them to create a wide variety of African...
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PPT
Curated OER

Nationalism in North Africa and the Middle East

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Africa and the Middle East are the focus of this Social Studies PowerPoint. After viewing many slides that are packed with historical facts, viewers answer questions such as, "How was the struggle for independence in Algeria different...
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Instructional Video1:03
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Mother And Child Draw Love

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Social Studies are explored in elementary school classrooms. This video of a mother and child drawing pictures on a foggy window could be used as an introductory activity.
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Instructional Video2:25
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Rocco Fiorentino Sings

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Rocco Fiortentino, a boy who is blind, sings a song to bring everyone together. This film provides a way to explore the topic of Social Studies . It is a fun song.
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Instructional Video3:19
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Emotions In The Park

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Being able to identify their Social Studies is an important part of young children learning how to deal with their emotions. Elmo asks his friends if they are sad, his friends very clearly explain how they feel. Zoe is proud, Elmo is...
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Instructional Video1:26
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Happy / Sad Balloons

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Big Bird explores Social Studies in this video. While he is happy about his beautiful balloon, Telly is sad because his deflated. Big Bird shares his balloon and they both are happy.
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Instructional Video1:42
Curated OER

Happy Thoughts Song

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Elmo shares the secret to feeling happy. He uses his imagination to think happy thoughts, and dispel negative Social Studies. A good lesson for us all.

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