The "College, Career, and Civil Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards" guides teachers to initiate complex inquiries by sparking students' disciplinary literacy and critical analysis of rich sources. With effective scaffolding and engaging content, elementary students can explore and contextualize complex historical…

Standing tall in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty is an enduring symbol of America. Layers of historical content and symbolism are uncovered in books that tell various parts of her story. By reading one or more of these books, students can begin to see that the experience of immigration is complex--it's not one narrative, but many that…

In an effort to gain greater insights into bilingual and bicultural children's understanding of their cultural and linguistic identities, the authors embarked on a Where I'm From (WIF) multi-media poetry project. The WIF project has great potential and value for developing students' language and communication skills, and for exploring the meaning…

In this article, the author relates how she realized that she needed to differentiate her approach in teaching the subject of immigration to her students. She realized that most of her students find themselves far removed from the experiences of immigrants. The unit that she developed at her class in Trinity has much in common with the…

Describes three kinds of artifact kits (the Archaeology Dig kit, Grandmother's Trunk, and the Cultural Mystery kit) that teachers can assemble for use in their classrooms that provide links to multiple literacy events for students. Gives a list of selected sources for artifacts that will enable teachers to create artifact kits. (CMK)

Outlines letter writing exercises for fifth grade social studies units on the U.S. Revolutionary War period. Students write letters as fictional and nonfictional historical characters from trade books described in article. Objectives include understanding viewpoints and historical events, writing to persuade, and share or seek information.…

In this article, the author describes some of the teaching methods she uses to teach how different American Indian groups lived in different regions of the North American continent. Her lessons include a number of projects: (1) Practicing symbolic writing; (2) Creating a personal timeline; (3) Studying winter counts and creating a personalized…

Describes a biography writing project in which second- and fifth-grade students interview each other and write biographical sketches. Explains that this project helps to develop students' reading and writing skills, uses cross-age mentoring, and introduces students to biographical research and writing. Includes a list of ten biographies for…

Observes that writing is a process of learning and that students learn best when the writing process is well-organized. Outlines a process for writing, named DRAFT (Design, Role, Audience, Format, and Topic), that bridges social studies with critical thinking and problem solving, and allows writing projects to be easily transformed into models…

Discusses a three-step process for teaching sixth grade students to connect current events to a perennial issue using the Internet. Proposes selecting and collecting information on a current event; producing an editorial and political cartoon on the event; and publishing the work online and in a local newspaper. Includes a sample activity. (CMK)

Describes a family history project for kindergarten students involving families where the children and/or family members write stories and share memories based on research questions asked by the children. Explains that children can share family artifacts. States that family was defined in a broad sense. (CMK)

Encourages educators to rethink approaches to teaching about Columbus'"discovery" of the Americas. Recommends that teachers examine textbooks for balance of presentation about Columbus. Suggests using children's literature and primary sources in addressing the topic. Underscores the need to present a balanced, multicultural explanation…

Presents class activities to facilitate concept acquisition in elementary social studies classes. Suggests ways to teach the concepts of family, city, the presidency, and immigration. Methods outlined include field trips, oral history projects, family shield design, letters to past U.S. Presidents, fact quizzes, art activities, and guest speakers.…

Contends that children's literature is a powerful tool for linking social studies learning and literacy development in primary age children. Describes a thematic unit on immigration and the transcontinental railroad that utilized literature and "read alouds" as a means to exploring these topics. Gives a list of children's books on immigration.…

Describes an experiential learning activity in which a Connecticut fifth grade class designated a new holiday, Friendship Day, through an essay-writing contest. The class pursued legalizing the holiday through the state legislative process, and Friendship Day is now celebrated on the fourth Sunday in April in Connecticut. Shows how the class…