Chapter 21: Social Studies

Social Studies Activities:

1. Learning about the self

• Learning how to understand and like oneself
• People with high self-esteem usually contribute more to their communities

–> activities that explore likes, abilities, interests

2. Learning about families:

• Different families, family roles, families in different cultures
• Individuals and society require strong families

–> pictures, stories, guest speakers

3. Learning about community

• Learning about people/places beyond one’s own family/home
• When exploring: start in your own neighbourhood and then begin to explore outside of your own neighbourhood

–> books, films, field trips, guest speakers

4. Learning about aging

• Fight misconceptions about aging
• Interact with older adults
• Learn to meet the needs of older people in society

–> visits to retirement homes, older adults volunteering in the classroom

5. Learning about the environment

• Begin with the local environment before introducing unfamiliar environments

–> walk around the childcare facility, introduce conservation techniques

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Ways to introduce diversity into the classroom:

• Provide books/resources that include children from different cultures, races, and families
• Serve a variety of foods as part of meals, snacks, and cooking activities
• Provide instruments from around the world in the music center.
• Celebrate holidays of different cultures.

–> stress the ways that we are alike; also stress appreciating differences

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Questions and Answers:

Define social studies.

–> the part of the curriculum that teaches children about themselves as well as their family, community, and the world.

What subjects are covered under the social studies umbrella? (p. 402)

–> History, economics, geography, government, current events, careers

What is social responsibility? How can we encourage it?

Social responsibility is the practice of making a positive contribution to the community and obeying community laws.

1. Expect children to obey rules: follow basic rules in self-respect and respect for others.
2. Have children help with classroom tasks: have children contribute to the class welfare by performing routine jobs (watering plants, feeding pets, setting tables for snack time).
3. Give children opportunities to make decisions: allow them the right to vote so show that they can make a difference.

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Flat Stanley:

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