Social Studies
One of my Social Studies Must Haves? Carolina Navigators - Culture Kits
If you have not heard of the Carolina Navigators Culture Kits before, then today is your day! These kits made the difference between a "blah" lesson and a "WOW" lesson. Click the link below for the free, yes - FREE, resource for teachers in North Carolina! A request for any university outside of NC, please look into developing a program like this in your state. It is a priceless resource that I am sure teachers everywhere would appreciate.
navigators.unc.edu/for-educators/
navigators.unc.edu/for-educators/
I was once told, "there is no magic book list for Social Studies." After digging through on my own through hundreds of websites, desperate for supporting texts for Social Studies...Surprise! I found my magic list. This must have collection of texts listed by concept and recommended by the University of Delaware opened my eyes to the possibilities of presenting thought provoking Social Studies lessons for students of all ages.
A must have in my classroom! - LINK FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE!
Some of my favorite Social Studies supporting texts from their list:
Pete's Sheep Sheep
The Goat in the Rug
Leah's Pony
Ma Jiang and the Orange Ants
Beatrice's Goat
A must have in my classroom! - LINK FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE!
Some of my favorite Social Studies supporting texts from their list:
Pete's Sheep Sheep
The Goat in the Rug
Leah's Pony
Ma Jiang and the Orange Ants
Beatrice's Goat
Don't forget this Social Studies must have video for back in the day:
Some of my Favorite and Most Powerful Lessons
Entrepreneur Fair | Multi-day activity
For your entrepreneur fair, begin the study learning about what an entrepreneur is. Then have students brain storm what kind of business they would want to run if they had one. Students should use a piece of notebook paper to include the name of their business, what the hours would be, and a constructed response regarding their business, (opening sentence should state what the business's name is and what the focus of the business is, two or three details about the business, and a catchy closing sentence). Students should then begin writing their constructed response in their best handwriting on a piece of notebook paper. They should also use 1/2 of a piece of poster board and write their business name, hours, and several magazine pictures of illustrations regarding their business on the poster board. Students should be sure to leave room for their constructed response to be glued to the poster board as well. Once this process is complete, set a date for the entrepreneur fair. On the day of the fair, students should come to school dressed as the owner of their business, have any additional supporting items on the desk to display for their business, and then have individuals within the school or parents stop by so they can listen to the student speak about their business at your entrepreneur fair.
For your entrepreneur fair, begin the study learning about what an entrepreneur is. Then have students brain storm what kind of business they would want to run if they had one. Students should use a piece of notebook paper to include the name of their business, what the hours would be, and a constructed response regarding their business, (opening sentence should state what the business's name is and what the focus of the business is, two or three details about the business, and a catchy closing sentence). Students should then begin writing their constructed response in their best handwriting on a piece of notebook paper. They should also use 1/2 of a piece of poster board and write their business name, hours, and several magazine pictures of illustrations regarding their business on the poster board. Students should be sure to leave room for their constructed response to be glued to the poster board as well. Once this process is complete, set a date for the entrepreneur fair. On the day of the fair, students should come to school dressed as the owner of their business, have any additional supporting items on the desk to display for their business, and then have individuals within the school or parents stop by so they can listen to the student speak about their business at your entrepreneur fair.
Beatrice's Goat | Lessons can be designed to support any reading standard.
The book Beatrice's Goat follows the life of Beatrice Biira of Uganda, who receives a goat from the outreach program, Heifer International. Through the benefits that the goat provides, financial and otherwise, Beatrice is able to pursue her education and eventually come to the United States to receive a degree. This lesson can be extended into Social Studies by allowing students to raise money and purchase their own chickens from Heifer to be sent to another family in need.
Click here to access the Heifer International site
Click here for purchasing options for Beatrice's Goat
The book Beatrice's Goat follows the life of Beatrice Biira of Uganda, who receives a goat from the outreach program, Heifer International. Through the benefits that the goat provides, financial and otherwise, Beatrice is able to pursue her education and eventually come to the United States to receive a degree. This lesson can be extended into Social Studies by allowing students to raise money and purchase their own chickens from Heifer to be sent to another family in need.
Click here to access the Heifer International site
Click here for purchasing options for Beatrice's Goat