CCP Episode : 002 // How to Make Social Studies More Engaging In Your Upper Elementary Classroom
It's no secret - teaching history in the elementary classroom can be a struggle.
Teachers are faced with the challenge of making people and events of the past relate-able to young students who have a hard time even remembering or caring about the events and people of last week, let alone last century!
That's why making history come alive in your elementary classroom is so crucial to making students care about what they are learning. As teachers of young students, we are setting the stage to develop learners who care about our world, both past and present, in order to build a stronger group of future leaders and thinkers.
But - lucky for you - I love a good challenge!
Over the years that I've spent creating social studies units, I've figured out a few ways to help make your instruction more engaging when teaching social studies.
In this week's episode I'm uncovering 10 of my favorite ways to make social studies more engaging in your upper elementary classroom.
Highlights from the episode
Readers Theater (2:25)
Gallery Walks (4:38)
Explore Real Photographs (7:08)
Explore Real Objects and Artifacts (8:18)
Act Out Events in History (9:10)
Simulations (9:38)
Link & Think Digital Learning Guides (10:39)
Videos on the “Studies Weekly” YouTube Channel (12:44)
Let Students Become the Experts (13:35)
Discovery Learning Folders (15:25)
resources & Links mentioned in this episode:
Blog Post: 5 Reasons Why You Should Use Reader’s Theater in the Upper Elementary Classroom
Westward Expansion Unit (Gallery Walk on the War of 1812, Oregon Trail Simulation Activity, Communication and Transportation Group Activity) from The Classroom Nook Teacher Shop
Studies Weekly YouTube Channel
Library of Discovery Learning Folders from The Classroom Nook Store
Examples of Discovery Learning Folders:
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