Need ideas for social studies.

[chrispeters]

My son is in the third grade and is nonplussed with social studies. I've been using Esp worksheets for this(tried Bob jones:eusa_sick ). I was thinking about letting him study geography instead(he loves that). Are there any guidelines for what is considered "social studies" in elementary school?

[Dianna]

My son is in the third grade and is nonplussed with social studies. I've been using Esp worksheets for this(tried Bob jones:eusa_sick ). I was thinking about letting him study geography instead(he loves that). Are there any guidelines for what is considered "social studies" in elementary school?

Chris, social studies and science are two of the most enjoyable subjects for my children because we are completely flexible and interest-led with them. They read lots of magazines that cover these topics (younger son reads Appleseeds, Ask, Spider, and Ranger Rick; and my older son reads Muse, Ask, Cricket, Odyssey, Dig, Popular Science,and Popular Mechanics).

They also read library books and novels that delve into topics of interest. My older son (7th grade) is also enjoying reading the first volume of The Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer. That's the only "textbook" we use, but I hesitate to call it that because it's really a long "story" that covers ancient times to the present.

Social Studies encompasses topics like History, Geography, Maps, jobs (being a fireman, policeman, etc), health and wellness, the arts, and almost anything else that doesn't fall under the science category in the magazines my children read. In the upper grades, it includes subjects like World History, Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, and more subjects along this track.

So it's a wide open area, and one that can be fun to let your children lead the way. Just let them pick a topic, choose some books from the library, and try to keep up with documenting their explorations. Whether it's geography or not. :smile2:

I hope this helps!

Warmly,
Dianna

[Shawn]

Chris,

Here are some ideas that I use with my K5 son.

"Historical" readers, they don't have to be non-fiction. He is learning little pieces of knowlege about the way things use to be, clothes, customs, beliefs. one of his favorites is a little reader about the Battle of Troy.

Map Puzzles, he has a world map puzzle and a United States map puzzle, the really big ones are fun and have pictures that relate to the individual states and countrys. This is geography +.

The Bible (depends on your religious beliefs), this is history, social studies, and a character building course. He has a great little story Bible that is like a comic book.

Talking with Old People is a good way to experience history.

[SChomemomof3]

Just talk to him about history stuff and see if something interests him. Orphan trains my kids loved reading about. Pony Express is cool. Doughnuts came out of the pony express. Actually sweetened biscuits with a whole in the middle. Thought to be like a doughnut. Study an indian group and make a model of a village. Make it fun for him.