Implementing Scaffolded Notes in Social Studies
History is a fascinating subject that helps students understand the world around them and how it has evolved over time. In elementary school, it’s crucial to make history lessons engaging and accessible to young learners. One effective strategy for achieving this goal is using scaffolded notes. These guided notes provide students with structured support for […]
How to Save Time Lesson Planning for Classroom Instruction
Lesson planning was honestly one of the scariest parts of starting out as a new teacher. There was so much work to do, and while I had great coworkers who helped by sharing some of their plans and activities, it took a lot of time for me to develop my own set of lesson plans. […]
Making Social Studies Lessons Relatable: Engaging Students in the World Around Them
Social studies is a subject that has the potential to ignite curiosity and foster a deep understanding of the world we live in. However, for students to truly connect with the subject, it is crucial to make social studies lessons relatable and relevant to their lives. By bridging the gap between historical events, cultural studies, […]
Teaching the Industrial Revolution: Tips that Keep Students Engaged
The Industrial Revolution marked many changes in our modern world. Sure it was 200 years ago, but students can still see the effects today, which means making sure you can showcase the connections. Teaching the Industrial Revolution can be such a fun unit for students because there are so many visuals and it is so […]
Websites for Career Research: 5 Sites for Empowering Upper Elementary Students
As children progress through their educational journey, it becomes increasingly important to introduce them to the possibilities that lie ahead in their future careers. Career exploration at an early age can ignite their passions, broaden their horizons, and provide a solid foundation for informed decision-making. In this digital age, websites serve as valuable resources for […]
Engaging Back to School Activities for Social Studies
The start of school is coming up (where did the summer go?) and it will be time to get students engaged in social studies. Back-to-school activities sometimes are glazed over so you can get to the “meat” of the subject. But, taking the time to introduce the subject is really a great way to keep […]
Make Social Studies Relatable to Students with These 4 Tricks
Like so much of school, it is important that we make sure our lessons in social studies relatable to students. If we don’t make the effort to make it relatable, students won’t retain the information. And isn’t the whole goal of a well-rounded education meant to be teaching life lessons and making connections? But how […]
Tips for Successfully Teaching the Civil War in Elementary School
Teaching the US Civil War can become a touchy subject. How do you fit its complexity and battles and leaders into the small amount of time you have available? You have to take all the pieces, break them down into age-appropriate lingo, and create engaging lessons and activities. I’m dedicated to providing teachers opportunities and […]
Book Clubs for Elementary Students in the Social Studies Classroom
Put together a book club for elementary students to create a more engaging social studies classroom. Developing life-long readers means that we as teachers provide our students with ample opportunity to read engaging works. So why not combine history with your reading time and host a history book club? Read on for ideas on how […]
5 Strategies for Teaching Social Studies Vocabulary Words in the Classroom
Honestly, when I think about social studies, my mind goes straight to understanding vocabulary. Teaching social studies vocabulary is a top priority in my classroom. Yes, there’s a lot more to the subject, but students definitely need to keep track of a lot of vocabulary as we make our way through lessons. Students need the […]