Social Studies
Developing a sense of place through geographic experiences helps build the social and emotional foundation children need and will one day use as adults.
Items to add to your dramatics play area:
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All Colors of Paper
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Ethnic Dolls
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Different Instruments
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All Different Flags
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Different Types of Food
Name of Activity: We are all the Same
Originating Idea: Diversity
Curriculum Area: Social Studies
Materials:
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Class
Appropriate Age Group: 3-8 Years Old.
Beginning of Activity
Read the book "The Color of Us"
Middle of Activity
Early:
Talk to these children about the importance of seeing everyone had a different ethnic background.
Middle:
Talk to these children about what type of differences they see in their classmates and friends. What do they notice is different in other children?
Later:
These children may want to add more free play or add more art time. Allow the children to make whatever adjustments they'd like just for the day.
End of Activity
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Follow-up Ideas:
Add these dolls to the dramatic play area.
Bring in multicultural books to add to your library.
Name of Activity: The Roles in our Community
Originating Idea: Community Roles
Curriculum Area: Social Studies
Materials:
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Construction Vests
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Veterinary.Doctor Vest
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Grocery Store Attire
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Fire Fighter Outfits
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Police Officer Outfit
Appropriate Age Group: 3-5 Dolls
Beginning of Activity
Read the book "Helpers in my Community"
Middle of Activity
Early:
Discuss with this group of children about how we have all different helpers in our community. Talk about which helpers work and what they do.
Middle:
Talk with these children about certain workers. Discuss what a fire fighter does, then discuss what grocery workers do. Talking with the children will open up their minds to how important all workers play apart in our community.
Later:
Talk with these children about certain workers. Discuss what a fire fighter does, then discuss what grocery workers do. Talking with the children will open up their minds to how important all workers play apart in our community. Start discussing with these children about what each member in the community does.
End of Activity
Conclude this lesson with going back over the importance in all different types of workers in all of our community.
Follow-up Ideas:
Add these materials to your dramatic play area.
Allow the children to use these materials and conversation and start a discussion about what the children want to be when they grow up.
Name of Activity: What do WE want to do?
Originating Idea: Decision Making
Curriculum Area: Social Studies
Materials:
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Class
Appropriate Age Group: 3-8 Years Old.
Beginning of Activity
Discuss with the children your day that is planned ahead.
Ask them their take on the day, and what they'd like the change or take out.
Middle of Activity
Early:
Allow these children to suggest changes in the planned day.
Middle:
Allow these children to make suggestion on what they'd like to change in the daily schedule. What they'd like to make more time for or make less time for.
Later:
These children may want to add more free play or add more art time. Allow the children to make whatever adjustments they'd like just for the day.
End of Activity
This lesson allows the children to make decisions in their daily schedule. Gives the children a sense of self, and decision making. It gives the children choices in their schedule that their not used to making. It opens the teachers day up to allow children to take control of the days schedule.
Follow-up Ideas:
Ask the children advise on future projects.
Allow children to start making their own choices for other things like what foods they eat, etc.
