Web Resources
CivicsThe Bill of Rights
This site explains the preamble and all of the amendments within the Bill of Rights. Not only does it give the written amendments, but it explains them in an understandable language. This website could be used in a Social Studies classroom because it’s very important that students understand what our country’s foundation was built upon. Congress for Kids This site has an interactive format for students to learn about the federal government. Students have the option to explore many different topics in relation to the federal government: U.S. independence, U.S. constitution, the three branches of government, elections, and citizenship. Worksheets, games, and quizzes are offered on the website so that teachers can assess their students. iCivics This site offers plenty of resources for teachers in order to successfully teach civics. There are games, web quests, and lesson plans that will keep students entertained and focused on learning new material. Some of the unit topics covered are the constitution, the legislative branch, civil rights, media and influence, international affairs, etc. Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center This site is specifically geared for students to learn about Michigan’s judicial system. A tour of the Michigan Supreme Course Learning Center is highly encouraged. There are also curriculum resources offered that relate to the Social Studies Grade Level Content Expectations. Kids.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web Portal for Kids This site gives information for many different subjects, including civics. It provides other websites, videos, and games that students can learn from. The topics addressed for civics are presidents, about our government, government jobs, president poster, and three branches of government poster. Teachers could incorporate these resources within their lesson about civics. |
EconomicsEconKids
This site provides a list of appropriate children's literature in relation to economics. Some of the concepts addressed are incentives, entrepreneurs, goods/services, scarcity, natural resources, etc. Teachers can choose books to read that relate to the topic(s) they're addressing to students about economics. EconEdLink This site supplies teachers with lessons about economics; interactive tools are provided for students as well. The items on this site range from a variety of topics in relation to economics and grade level (K-12). KidsEcon Posters This site offers multiple resources for teaching economics. There are purchasable posters, some downloadable teaching guides, purchasable DVDs, and purchasable activities/games. In addition, this site provides literature that is associated with economic concepts. Studies Weekly This site offers purchasable magazines similar to what a textbook would provide in classrooms. Students can read through various magazines and gain the required content knowledge in regards to social studies (including economics). In addition, each magazine is aligned with the Common Core Standards! Social Studies for Kids: Economics This site provides activities for students to complete about economic content. There are also resources for the teacher including worksheets, books, lesson plans, etc. Not only does this site explore the discipline of economics, but it covers other areas within social studies as well. |
GeographyNational Geographic
This site offers photographs, videos, and other interactive content about world geography specifically for children. Students can explore the wide variety of information related to geography. Teachers could easily create a web quest and other activities from the material offered on this site. Weather Wiz Kids This site describes the weather of specific locations across the globe. It provides games, jokes, flashcards, photos, etc. about various types of weather. Students can explore this website and learn about the weather patterns for various places around the world. Drought for Kids This site explains information about droughts for children. It describes what a drought is, how people study it, and the impacts it has on humans. The teacher could have students explore this site and make a web quest or other activities for students to complete. Social Studies Worksheets This site provides multiple worksheets about various topics in Social Studies. For example, there are activities about the different types of communities for students to complete (rural, suburban, urban). The activities on this site also align with the Common Core Standards, which is very beneficial for both teachers and students. Social Studies Map Unit This site offers resources in order to teach a unit on maps specifically for first grade. It includes a concept web, questions, books, other web resources, children's literature, activities, and lesson plans that all pertain to maps. These resources are very helpful for a first grade teacher who needs ideas on how to instruct a unit on maps. |
HistoryLibrary of Congress
This site offers a variety of resources: books, recordings, photographs, maps, and manuscripts. They are related to American history and can be used to expand on a specific topic within the social studies curriculum. Where did the Great Lakes come from? This site has an article that describes voyagers on the Great Lakes. It tells about how dangerous it was and how many travelers perished trying to explore the lakes. This website would be used to further elaborate about the dangers of the Great Lakes and show students how people explored the lakes. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation This site discusses content about the American Revolution. Students can explore topics such as people, places, life, revolution, etc. that relate to this particular time period. In addition, games and activities are provided for kids to complete on this site. History Central This site shows various important dates throughout our world's history, including the U.S. It contains over two thousand five hundred primary documents about significant events in American history. Practice tests are provided and plenty of information so that students can write papers about events in history. Slavery and the Making of America This site elaborates on slavery and how it connects to the development of America. Resources presented on this site include a timeline with key events in history during the 1600s through the 1800s, audio recordings from slaves themselves, books, and much more. Teachers can use this site to gather resources for teaching a lesson on slavery and/or have students explore certain items from this site. |
TechnologyPrezi
This site allows both students and teachers to create presentations. They can be made for a lesson, class project, etc. Building presentations are efficient, creative, and fun to make when using this site. Glogster EDU This site enables teachers and students to make a poster or a webpage. The possibilities are endless for the reasons behind creating a poster or webpage. This site is very beneficial if incorporated in a classroom. Weebly This site allows anyone to design a personalized webpage. Documents, images, videos, and forums are just a few items that can be added to a webpage. This site would be helpful for both students and teachers depending on what is done with the webpage. |
General EducationMC3
This site offers information about the curriculum of multiple disciplines within Oakland Schools. It provides specific units for various subjects and a schedule to teach them in for a complete school year. Calhoun ISD Social Studies Curriculum This site provides a Social Studies curriculum for schools in Southwest Michigan. It even has a document explaining how to navigate through the curriculum. In addition, it supplies teachers with assessments related to the Social Studies curriculum. Michigan Department of Education This site gives the Grade Level Content Expectations for many subjects, specifically for Social Studies. It allows teachers to see what to teach and when to teach it (scope and sequence). It also gives information about topics related to education in Michigan. Teaching and Learning Well This site offers various resources and instructional strategies to use mainly in an elementary setting for Social Studies. My professor, Susan Laninga, produced this website in order to help her students with enhancing their Weebly sites. But, any teacher can use the items that are provided. |