Social Studies Teacher Resources
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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 30,674 resources
Agriculture in the Classroom
A Holiday Tradition: Which Christmas Tree Will You Choose?
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...
Curated OER
Reformers versus Residents in Five Points: A Role Play
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...
PBS
Baseball: The Tenth Inning - Bases Divided
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...
Curated OER
Apple Macintosh, 1984
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...
Curated OER
Social Studies: The Book of Exodus
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...
K20 LEARN
But What About Me?: Teaching Perspective In The Social Studies Classroom
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...
Curated OER
Social Studies Current Event Worksheet
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...
Curated OER
7th Grade Social Studies: Chapter 10, Greek City-States
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...
Curated OER
Mapping It Out: Social Studies Online
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...
Common Core Sheets
Reading a Timeline
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...
Curated OER
Christopher Reeve Talks About his Wheelchair
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...
Curated OER
My Dad's Racing
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...
TED-Ed
A Global Culture to Fight Extremism
"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...
Facing History and Ourselves
BPS Civil Rights
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...
Curated OER
Introduction To The European Union
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...
Curated OER
Grow a Musical Instrument
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...
Curated OER
Nationalism in North Africa and the Middle East
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...
Curated OER
Mother And Child Draw Love
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.
Curated OER
Rocco Fiorentino Sings
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.
Curated OER
Emotions In The Park
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...
Curated OER
Happy / Sad Balloons
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.
Curated OER
Happy Thoughts Song
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.
Curated OER
From Umayyad to Abbasid Empires
You can't truly understand the present until you understand the past. Bring a historical context to you next social studies class with an exceptional presentation on the ancient Arab and Islamic empires of Umayyad and Abbasid. Slides...
John F. Kennedy Library Foundation
JFK Challenge
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. And so begins your invigorating, innovative learning experience in the JFK Challenge app! Learners...
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