2867 social-studies results | sort by:

Uncovering Loyalties - iCivics Inc.
Grades
K to 8tag(s): american revolution (86), game based learning (208), williamsburg (8)
In the Classroom
Using chart paper or a digital tool like Padlet reviewed here or Canva reviewed here, have students create a visual map showing how political, religious, and economic ideas and events led to the American Revolution. Ask students to research whether there were Loyalists or Patriots in their own state or region during the Revolutionary War. They can present their findings in a poster using DesignCap Poster Creator reviewed here, a slide show using Google Slides reviewed here, or a brief documentary-style video using Adobe Express Video Maker reviewed here to connect national events to local history. Provide students with quotes, images, and short passages from primary sources and have them sort the evidence into categories that reflect political, religious, and economic motivations for either loyalty or rebellion. Then, students use evidence to explain differing colonial perspectives.Virtual Museum Tour - Museum of the American Revolution
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): american revolution (86), virtual field trips (132)
In the Classroom
Create a scavenger hunt where students search the virtual museum for key artifacts, symbols (like the Liberty Tree), or quotes. Students can work in pairs to answer guiding questions tied to historical themes. After exploring a section of the museum, have students write journal entries from the point of view of a historical figure they encountered, such as a soldier, a Loyalist, a woman in wartime, or an enslaved person seeking freedom. Students can design their own mini "virtual exhibit" using images, text, and narration to showcase what they believe are the most important parts of the American Revolution, inspired by the museum's layout. This can be done using tools like Google Slides reviewed here or Canva Edu reviewed here.Science of Reading - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): blogs (73), fluency (30), reading comprehension (152), reading strategies (97), science of reading (36), vocabulary (241), vocabulary development (96)
In the Classroom
View this collection of blog posts to learn more about the Science of Reading. Many of the blog posts offer ideas for classroom use. Share this post with colleagues who may be learning more about the Science of reading.Let's Talk About: Oral Language Development - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): african american (121), blogs (73), digital literacy (18), digital storytelling (156), fluency (30), folktales (36), literacy (122), podcasts (118)
In the Classroom
Use author events (e.g., Jason Reynolds or Stephen Curry on Flip) to spark a conversation about personal strengths. Students can then record a short video using Adobe Express Video Maker reviewed here story about a time they used their "superpower". After reading memoirs like Brown Girl Dreaming or Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom, students can research a personal or social issue and record a podcast using Acast reviewed here. Host a classroom or school-wide poetry slam where students perform original or selected poems by African American authors. Focus on expression, pacing, and audience awareness to develop public speaking confidence and cultural appreciation.Let's Talk About: 4 Activities for Oral Language Practice - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): blogs (73), digital storytelling (156), multilingual (78), vocabulary development (96)
In the Classroom
Bring the ideas from the blog post into your lessons! Have students work in groups to co-create a story using the audio or video feature on Padlet reviewed here. They'll practice expressive reading, descriptive language, and narrative development. Students can research a historical figure, write a first-person monologue, and record it using Vocaroo reviewed here. Students can take on the role of a book, historical, or fictional character and are interviewed by a peer or teacher. They can prepare responses based on their character's background, motivations, and experiences, then can perform the interview live or record it using Anchor reviewed here.Let's Learn - Thirteen PBS
Grades
K to 2In the Classroom
Students can compare and contrast picture books featured on the site using Google Drawing reviewed here. Students can use Seesaw reviewed here to complete a Show What You Know after watching a video. Finally, students can complete one of the Show What You Know activities featured on the website.Native Americans' Contributions to American Culture - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): native americans (116)
In the Classroom
Explore this collection featuring the fascinating impact of Native Americans. Look at each resource's "Classroom Use" section for creative ideas on weaving these materials into your lessons.Hispanic Americans' Contributions to American Culture - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): hispanic (46)
In the Classroom
Help your students learn more about the countless contributions of Hispanic Americans. This list includes resources for all grades. Read each resource's Classroom Use section to learn ways to incorporate the information in your lessonsUnveiling Hidden Stars: remarkable Latino contributions in the history of the United States - UnidosUS
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): hispanic (46)
In the Classroom
Create cards with the names of lesser-known Latino figures on one set and their contributions on another. Students can work in pairs or small groups to match them correctly. As a class or in small groups, have students build a visual timeline featuring the historical events and figures mentioned in the article. Use Sutori, reviewed here or Time Graphics Timeline Maker, reviewed here and include images, dates, and impact statements. Students can review their current history textbook's index or chapters to see how (or if) Latino contributions are represented. They can compare it to information from the UnidosUS article.Hispanic Heritage Month - National Archives
Grades
3 to 6tag(s): civil rights (219), cultures (226), hispanic (46), immigrants (48)
In the Classroom
Introduce students to influential Hispanic Americans featured on the site (ex., Cesar Chavez, Sonia Sotomayor, Dolores Huerta). Read short biographical clues aloud while students guess who is described. Then, show a related photo or document from the Archives. Using images and brief descriptions from the site, students can create a timeline highlighting key moments and contributions of Hispanic Americans in U.S. history. Do this with chart paper, index cards, or a digital tool like Sutori, reviewed here or Timeline, reviewed here. Give students an age-appropriate primary source (photo, letter, or poster). In small groups, they can act as "document detectives" to answer guided questions about who created it, why, and what it tells us about Hispanic heritage.9 Resources for Teaching About Hispanic Heritage - International Society for Technology in Education
Grades
3 to 8In the Classroom
Students can explore the Latino Culture in the U.S. exhibit on Google Arts & Culture. In small groups, have students select one artwork or artifact and then share what they learned with the class in a mini "gallery talk." Using tools like Google Slides, reviewed here or Canva, reviewed here, students can create a digital story map that highlights the life and achievements of a notable Hispanic or Latino figure. Include images, quotes, and key facts. After exploring resources like the Smithsonian Learning Lab, students can create a collage (digital using Photo Joiner, reviewed here or physical) that represents elements of Hispanic culture--such as food, festivals, music, and language--along with brief descriptions.Hispanic Heritage Month for Kids - KidsKonnect
Grades
3 to 7This site includes advertising.
tag(s): cultures (226), famous people (28), hispanic (46)
In the Classroom
In small groups, students create a visual collage (paper or digital using PhotoCollage reviewed here) of Hispanic and Latino foods, music, holidays, and famous figures from the video. Students select a Hispanic or Latino figure from the video and, using an "I Am" poem format, write in that person's voice, sharing their background, dreams, and impact. Before watching, introduce 3-5 trivia questions based on the video (ex., "Which cartoon character teaches Spanish while adventuring?"). Students answer as they watch, then discuss in pairs or small groups afterward.Influential Hispanic Americans - Biography.com
Grades
4 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): famous people (28), hispanic (46)
In the Classroom
Create a list of fun facts (ex., "Find someone who won an Olympic medal" or "Find a person who was a Supreme Court Justice") and have students search the article to match each clue with the correct person. Choose two individuals from different fields, such as music vs. science, and have students complete a Venn diagram. The Venn diagram can be done on paper or online using Venn Diagram Creator, reviewed here. Students write an imaginary interview with a historical figure from the article. Have students create a list of five thoughtful questions and what the person might say in response.9 National Hispanic Heritage Month Activities for Students - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): art history (108), creative writing (125), cultures (226), hispanic (46)
In the Classroom
Students can use MyLens reviewed here to create a timeline of events leading up to the Grape Strike and boycott. Introduce students to traditional Hispanic music genres like salsa, mariachi, or reggaeton. Follow with a discussion or simple dance session to explore how music reflects cultural identity. Read a poem or story by a Hispanic author (e.g., Gary Soto or Sandra Cisneros), then have students write a short piece inspired by the themes, style, or setting of the work.Jewish Americans' Contributions to American Culture - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12In the Classroom
Share these resources with your students to learn about Jewish Americans' contributions. Share a link to this collection on your school web page and in your school newsletter (or email). Find resources to incorporate into your lessons.Asian Americans' Contributions to American Culture - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): asia (136)
In the Classroom
Dive into this collection featuring the fascinating impact of Asian-Americans. Look at each resource's "Classroom Use" section for creative ideas on weaving these materials into your lessons.Last Minute Father's Day Activities - Newsela
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): crafts (76), fathers day (17)
In the Classroom
Have students read the Russian folktale Father Frost on Newsela, then identify key character traits of the father figures in the story. Assign two Newsela articles--one on the history of Father's Day and another featuring a personal story or modern reflection on fatherhood. Students can complete a digital Venn diagram using Canva's Venn Diagram Creator reviewed here. After reading texts on Newsela related to appreciation or gratitude, students can write and record short video thank-you messages for a father or father figure using Adobe Express Video Maker reviewed here.Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Booklist - Social Justice Books
Grades
K to 12tag(s): asia (136), book lists (168), cross cultural understanding (178), cultures (226), preK (291)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this list to find titles to add to your classroom library to support diversity or feature Asian American themes during your lessons. Assign different books to small groups and have students explore themes like identity, family, immigration, or belonging. Include guiding questions to foster discussion. Use an AI resource like MagicSchool reviewed here or QuestionWell reviewed here to create a series of guiding questions for each group. Have students prepare and share book talks to summarize and share their reactions to books they read. Share examples of book talks on WHYY I Like This Book reviewed here with students as part of your lessons on what makes a good book talk and presentation.Asian Americans - Interactive Gallery - PBS
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): asia (136), bias (28), china (83), cross cultural understanding (178), cultures (226), japan (62), korea (22), racism (83)
In the Classroom
Share this interactive activity with students to explore as part of your Asian-American studies. Use a whiteboard sharing tool such as Whiteboard.chat reviewed here to create an interactive area for students to share and collaborate on ideas about information in the gallery. Ask students to add other Asian American stories to your whiteboard, then use Flippity reviewed here to create a set of interactive flashcards that include images, videos, links, and text. As an extension activity, have groups of students create podcasts using Adobe Podcast reviewed here about Asian Americans and their contributions to American history.Wing Luke Museum - Online Classroom
Grades
K to 3tag(s): asia (136)