Activating the Primary Social Studies Classroom

In this educational era of increasing emphasis on student performance, there is a definite shortage of high-interest resources through which teachers can effectively address the ten standards identified by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS). Teachers need ideas for simple, low-cost activities, which they can do with their students to allow social studies learning to occur in an interesting, engaging manner. Now there is a resource designed with hands-on learning opportunities that are aligned with the NCSS standards.

Included in this sourcebook are:
·Assessment rubrics
·Student and professional technology resources
·Descriptions of various instructional models
·An appendix containing background information to facilitate the users' understanding of certain activities
·A glossary of specialty terms and concepts used

Each activity, which addresses multiple standards, can be used for enrichment or to accommodate students with various needs. The activities feature:
·Recommendations for interesting children's literature
·Links to web sites related to each activity
·Suggestions for adaptations or extensions to effectively meet the needs of specific students

Will be of interest to pre-service and in-service elementary teachers who want to enliven their classrooms with student involvement and interest in social studies topics.

Leslie Marlow currently teaches in the elementary education program at Berry College where she teaches elementary reading and social studies methods courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She has taught in elementary schools, a number of teacher education programs and has co-authored a series of books addressing language arts and reading standards as well as authoring numerous articles and presenting numerous effective teaching strategies workshops for teachers.

Duane Inman is currently employed by Berry College as the Chair of Teacher Education and teaches undergraduate and graduate education courses. He has taught in the public schools, private schools and several Universities and has presented workshops for teachers on effective teaching strategies, published numerous articles, and co-authored a series of books addressing language arts and reading standards.