Each September when my students complete our beginning-of-the-year Enthusiasm Survey of the various curricular areas, social studies ranks among the least popular subjects. Author Lee Jenkins once commented that since social studies is about people, it should be one of the most interesting subjects in school because people are interesting. Traditionally, though, the way social studies is taught in schools doesn’t seem to resonate with children because it is difficult for students to see how the content connects to their lives and to find the relevance in what they are studying.
Students will find social studies tremendously engaging when we, as teachers, make an effort to bring the content to life and make it relevant. Children want to make a personal connection with what they are studying, and we need to create units and activities that give them opportunities to do this.
One social studies project that my students enjoy greatly is our Symbol & Landmark Project. This endeavor addresses the California 3rd grade social studies standard calling for students to learn about important national symbols.
The project begins with a problem-based learning, simulation activity. The introduction sheet I distribute announces to the class that each child was just asked to create a symbol or landmark for our school that represents an important ideal that our school promotes.
Now, when we read the sections in our social studies book about important national and state symbols and landmarks, students are fully engaged because every symbol and landmark we research becomes a potentially inspiring idea. After reading about the Statue of Liberty, for example, many students decide that they want to create some type of statue for our school. Similarly, when we learn about the California state seal, many kids become interested in making a school seal. The information we learn takes on greater meaning because we can use that information to help us with personally meaningful projects.
Next week, I will describe the specific steps of this project from beginning to end.
New Teaching Tips appear every Sunday of the school year.
Workshops 