Planning next year's "social studies"

[Chez J]

Hi,

I am starting to get ideas for next year's "social studies." I generally like to make a list of all the great ideas and look at them all at our state convention. So...

I fully plan to use SOTW Vol. 3 as we've been using it all along. But, I was thinking it'd be good to add in American geography, state studies, even American government studies. Handwriting and reading level are not issues for us. In the past, we've used Hands of a Child lapbooks, and Evan Moor History Pockets for "crafty" activities, not the SOTW Activity Guide. The AG gives me stress for some reason. LOL! So, ideas for that type of work would be good too.

What does everyone recommend for social studies for Early Modern Times besides SOTW for history?

Thanks,

Lesley

[Chez J]

bump

[Closeacademy]

Some books you may want to see if they have at your library or can borrow from friends.

Holling C. Holling's books (worth buying)
D'Aulaire Biographies (worth buying)
American Girl Books if you have a girl between the ages of 6 and 10

:)

[Chez J]

Wow! The Holling C Holling books look great for this. Would you recommend using the Beautiful Feet Geography guide as well? I was planning to do geography and history separately, so it could work.

What about government? Any ideas?

Lesley

[TwinMominTX]

How old are your kids?

My girls will be in 2nd grade. We will be doing a unit on American govermnet with an emphasis on the November presdiental elections. They are keenly interested in the election process so I figure this is as good a time as any.

TK

[Chez J]

That is exactly why I was thinking about adding government next year. 3rd or 4th even maybe 5th grade materials would be okay for us. What are you considering?

Lesley

[TwinMominTX]

It might be a little young for your kids, but for my 2nd graders I think it will work well.


http://www.amazon.com/Mice-Way-Learn-About-Government/dp/1893622002/ref=pd_sim_b_title_3

We've read the Woodrow Mouse for President Book, but I will likely get the entire series and do a little study around them. The other titles in the series include books on the Senate and Surpeme Court.

We also have this book on how the US Goverment Works. I haven't even looked at it as we won't start our "government" lessons until mid-summer.

http://www.amazon.com/How-U-S-Government-Works-Sobel/dp/0764111116/ref=pd_sim_b_img_9

[Chez J]

She still likes stories with animals as characters. Do you have a link for a sample of the curriculum guide? I couldn't find anything with a quick google search.

Thanks,

Lesley

[WABeth]

My dd does it independently and we have just kind of been learning one state and one president a week roughly corresponding with where we are in history (spread over SOTW 3 and 4).

The Complete Book of States and Presidents (http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-Presidents-States/dp/1561895474/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204916169&sr=8-1)