Elementary Social Studies

Posted by Debbie DeSpirt Nov 12, 2007

As I read countless social studies lesson plan, I quickly yawn at the stagnancy of the lessons. It seems students from grade 1 to grade 6 are constantly reading a social studies handout and highlighting the important information. As well, students are not usually deciding on what is important rather the teacher will instruct to students what is relevant in the text.

It is important for students to gain the skill of identifying important facts but if this is the only model utilized in elementary school, many students will retain the information for only a brief time. Students brains are continually developing and if they have enough room to remember all the Pokemon characters or baseball stats, they have enough room for social studies facts. The reason students remember baseball stats is their interest in the sport. Social studies may have mundane information but if the teacher is able to make it into an exploration, students will be more eager to listen and learn.

Integrate social studies with story writing to get students interest. Reading a short non fiction passage, some students will zone out but read a short non fiction story about a concept, the majority of students will be intrigued. Learning about the solar systems, energy, and the world is fascinating if teachers and students explore rather than only read the facts.