Social Studies Practices

A social studies unit designed to introduce primary students to basic geography skills, mapping, and spatial reasoning aligned with 1st grade standards.

A Kindergarten sequence focused on identifying and distinguishing Earth's landforms and water bodies. Students progress from basic land/water distinction to creating physical models of mountains, hills, plains, valleys, rivers, and lakes.

This Kindergarten sequence guides young learners from a simple 'bird's eye view' of classroom objects to creating and navigating neighborhood maps. Students develop spatial reasoning, understand symbolic representation through map keys, and use positional language to describe their world.

This sequence teaches 1st Grade students the fundamentals of navigation, starting with relative directional words and progressing to cardinal directions and simple alphanumeric grids. The lessons culminate in a practical scavenger hunt applying these skills.

A hands-on project-based unit where 1st graders develop spatial reasoning by creating models and maps of their classroom, playground, and personal spaces. Students progress from 3D modeling to 2D cartography, ending with a navigation challenge to test their map accuracy.

A foundational spatial reasoning sequence for Kindergarten students focusing on personal space, positional vocabulary, and directional language. Students progress from body awareness to navigating environments and giving multi-step directions.

A research-driven sequence exploring social communication norms. Students act as social scientists to investigate how culture, authority, and environment influence eye contact and personal space, culminating in a school-specific field guide.

A 5-lesson sequence for 3rd grade students to master the fundamentals of map reading, spatial reasoning, and cardinal directions. Students progress from understanding bird's-eye perspective to creating their own accurate maps of familiar spaces.

A 2nd-grade social studies unit where students take a virtual road trip across the United States to explore key man-made landmarks and monuments. Students develop map skills, learn the history of iconic sites like the White House and the Liberty Bell, and discover how we honor leaders through architecture and symbols.

Students explore spatial perspective, symbol creation, and relative location to transform their classroom into a detailed 2D map. The unit culminates in a verbal presentation where students use location words to guide visitors through their mapped environment.

A game-based sequence for 2nd Grade students to master directional vocabulary and relative position, moving from body-based orientation to cardinal directions and written instruction.

A 1st-grade social studies sequence focused on spatial awareness and directional terms, progressing from the home to a full community layout. Students learn to describe relative locations and give simple directions using a variety of hands-on and inquiry-based activities.

A foundational sequence for 1st Grade students to master spatial relationships and directional terms. Through hands-on activities with grids, blocks, and barrier games, students learn to interpret and generate precise location descriptions.

A 1st-grade Social Studies sequence that introduces students to map-making concepts, bird's eye view, and the use of positional vocabulary to describe locations. Students progress from understanding perspective to creating their own treasure maps.

This sequence introduces 1st-grade students to the concept of a state, its boundaries, and its location within the world. Students move from their immediate surroundings to understanding their state's shape, neighbors, and natural features.

A Pre-K sequence introducing location words (on, under, next to, near, far) through classroom exploration, games, and modeling to build early geography skills.

This sequence introduces Kindergarten students to mapping and relative location. Students explore perspective through bird's-eye views, create 3D models of their environment, transition to 2D representations, and learn to use symbols and keys to communicate spatial information, culminating in a treasure map project.

A Kindergarten sequence focused on spatial relationships and location words (on, under, behind, beside, over, through) through physical movement, object manipulation, and peer instruction. Students progress from moving their own bodies to directing others through complex obstacle courses.

This Pre-K sequence introduces spatial awareness and basic mapping skills. Students learn to identify landmarks, use positional language, understand bird's-eye perspective, and create/follow simple maps of their environment.

A 5-lesson sequence for Pre-K students exploring how people and goods move through a city. Students will learn about various modes of transportation, social etiquette for public transit, safety signs, and basic navigation through play and simulation.

A comprehensive exploration of the Canadian government's structure, focusing on the three branches of power, the legislative process, and the division of responsibilities between levels of government. Designed for Grade 11 students with a technical blueprint aesthetic.

A unit exploring the geographical, economic, and social differences between the North and South in the mid-19th century, centered on the life of Harriet Tubman and the abolitionist movement.

A 3-day project where students research and create a visual timeline of the major military and political events in the European Theater of WWII, analyzing significance and outcomes.

Une série de modules de formation destinés aux conseillers pédagogiques pour renforcer leur expertise en ingénierie de formation continue, spécifiquement appliquée à l'enseignement du français à l'école primaire.

A comprehensive unit exploring the historical, scientific, and ethical dimensions of the Manhattan Project and the end of World War II, with differentiated tracks for diverse learners.

A modified World Studies 2 curriculum for Tier 2 and 3 special education students, focusing on the evolution of power, rights, and technology from early democracies through the Industrial Revolution.

An ESL-friendly introduction to the American Civil War for 2nd graders, focusing on key figures like Lincoln and Tubman, major events, and foundational sentence-building skills. The unit uses visual scaffolding, word banks, and sentence stems to help students develop complex writing abilities.

A comprehensive lesson package exploring the 14th Amendment, landmark Supreme Court cases, and the evolution of civil rights in American history and culture.

A comprehensive unit exploring the structure, functions, and historical evolution of the U.S. Judicial Branch, focusing on how the courts interpret the Constitution.

A comprehensive collection of Project-Based Learning (PBL) units spanning early childhood literacy, elementary math and science, and middle school social studies. Each unit guides students through inquiry, creation, and presentation within a themed 'Discovery Files' framework.

A comprehensive sequence exploring the deep roots, cultural resilience, and global impact of Black Soul Food.

A comprehensive sequence exploring the life of Nelson Mandela, focusing on key milestones from his early years to his presidency. Designed for Grade 5 ELL students with accessible language and visual supports.

A comprehensive unit on World War II covering the causes, major events, the Holocaust, and life on the home front through the lens of historical dossiers and propaganda analysis.

A lesson sequence for 2nd graders to learn the difference between weekdays and weekends, focusing on how calendars help us make decisions about scheduling activities.

A lesson sequence focusing on how text features like timelines, tables, and maps help organize complex historical information for better comprehension.

Students participate in an immersive simulation where they navigate the world of arts policy and resource allocation. They take on roles in a community debate over funding priorities, learning about public budgeting, perspective-taking, and the necessity of civic engagement.

A 9th-grade history unit exploring the role of sensationalist media and the Spanish-American War in shaping American foreign policy. Students analyze Yellow Journalism, the sinking of the USS Maine, and the geopolitical consequences of the Treaty of Paris.

A comprehensive 7th-grade history sequence exploring the high-stakes technological and ideological competition of the Cold War. Students investigate the Nuclear Arms Race, the Space Race, espionage, and the brinkmanship of the Cuban Missile Crisis to understand how the threat of 'Mutually Assured Destruction' shaped the 20th century.

A comprehensive 4th-grade introduction to the Judicial Branch, using the metaphor of sports referees to explain how courts interpret laws and the Constitution. Students explore court hierarchy, judicial review, and landmark cases through simulations and interactive activities.

A 1st Grade sequence exploring chronology and sequencing in historical biographies. Students learn to distinguish past from present, identify signal words like 'first' and 'next', and construct timelines of famous lives.

A comprehensive unit exploring the diverse urban and rural land use patterns across the Balkan Peninsula, culminating in a comparative research project.

A 5-day unit exploring the geography, climate, indigenous cultures (Paiute and Coast Salish), and modern life of the Western United States, culminating in a travel brochure project.

An immersive 5-day unit exploring the Southeastern United States, covering geography, climate, the Powhatan, Seminole, Cherokee, and Creek nations, and modern-day cultural traditions.

A comprehensive 12-day unit for 7th graders covering the origins, events, and aftermath of the Cold War. Using a 'Top Secret Dossier' theme, students explore ideologies, decolonization, proxy wars, and the eventual fall of the Soviet Union through data literacy, source analysis, and collaborative activities.

A comprehensive middle school history unit where students act as 'history detectives' to investigate the rise of nation-states in England, France, Spain, and Russia through primary source analysis.

A comprehensive two-lesson sequence designed to scaffold Year 8 students through the process of analyzing geographical figures and constructing high-quality TEEEL responses for their Water in the World assessment.

A unit exploring the geographical, economic, and social differences between the North and South in the mid-19th century, centered on the life of Harriet Tubman and the abolitionist movement.

Une série de modules de formation destinés aux conseillers pédagogiques pour renforcer leur expertise en ingénierie de formation continue, spécifiquement appliquée à l'enseignement du français à l'école primaire.

A modified World Studies 2 curriculum for Tier 2 and 3 special education students, focusing on the evolution of power, rights, and technology from early democracies through the Industrial Revolution.

A 4-day social studies unit for 3rd grade focusing on Arizona's geography, history, and economy, specifically designed to meet standard 3.RI.9 by comparing and contrasting key details across multiple texts.

Une séquence complète de 5 séances pour explorer les espaces de faibles densités en France, leurs dynamiques, leurs contraintes et leurs atouts, se terminant par une réalisation cartographique de synthèse.

An immersive unit on the Cold War, styled as a series of declassified intelligence briefings exploring the global struggle for power between 1945 and 1991.

A grade 6 social studies unit focused on Sub-Saharan Africa's climates and human adaptations, specifically designed for ESL (WIDA levels 1 and 2) students with heavy visual support.

A comprehensive 20-lesson inquiry unit for 2nd grade exploring Iowa's history, focusing on changes in daily life, significant individuals, and community celebrations using the C3 Framework.

A 15-day Kindergarten Social Studies inquiry unit focused on belonging, roles, and navigation. Students explore their identities, map their environments, and investigate why and how people move. Uses the C3 framework to move from inquiry to informed action.

A geography and community unit where students explore their surroundings, learn map skills, and understand the difference between physical and human characteristics in their local area.

A social studies unit designed to introduce primary students to basic geography skills, mapping, and spatial reasoning aligned with 1st grade standards.

A research project where students explore the geography, history, and star players of teams competing in the World Baseball Classic.

A comprehensive middle school history unit where students act as 'history detectives' to investigate the rise of nation-states in England, France, Spain, and Russia through primary source analysis.

A comprehensive 4-week high school unit exploring the Cold War's origins, domestic impact, and global proxy conflicts through the lens of 'Classified Dossiers.' Students analyze the ideology of containment, the Red Scare, and the CIA's role in international affairs while investigating how the era shaped gender roles and social movements.

A tribute to influential women of color from 2015 to the present, focusing on their achievements in politics, science, arts, and activism. Students explore biographies through a trivia-style game and creative research activities.

A two-day historical simulation and project focused on the Bay of Pigs invasion, Cold War containment strategies, and multi-perspective journalism. Students analyze primary sources and government documents to create a 1961 newspaper report.

A comprehensive K-5 Media Center curriculum spanning August to May. Each month features a thematic unit integrating library skills (Dewey Decimal System, research, digital citizenship), literacy (poetry, biographies, informational texts), and STEM/Maker Space challenges. Resources are differentiated for K-2 and 3-5.

A comprehensive 12-day unit for 7th graders covering the origins, events, and aftermath of the Cold War. Using a 'Top Secret Dossier' theme, students explore ideologies, decolonization, proxy wars, and the eventual fall of the Soviet Union through data literacy, source analysis, and collaborative activities.

A comprehensive middle school history unit where students act as 'history detectives' to investigate the rise of nation-states in England, France, Spain, and Russia through primary source analysis.

A comprehensive deep-dive into Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, focusing on Act 1. Students will analyze character dynamics, the tension between destiny and choice, and the rich poetic language of the play across individual scenes.

A comprehensive exploration of American history and culture from the 1950s to the 2000s, using primary sources to trace social, political, and technological shifts.

A deep dive into the 16th-century contact between European powers and indigenous American civilizations, exploring the complexities of conquest, resistance, and the emergence of a new global order.

A comprehensive two-lesson sequence designed to scaffold Year 8 students through the process of analyzing geographical figures and constructing high-quality TEEEL responses for their Water in the World assessment.

A comprehensive 3rd-grade unit focused on self-identity, distinguishing between internal and external characteristics, exploring Indigenous and Mexica narratives, and culmininating in creative self-expression.

A 5-day inquiry-based unit for 10th grade US History exploring the central question: "Should the US have gotten involved in WWI?" Students analyze primary sources, economic ties, and diplomatic shifts to form their own evidence-based conclusion.

A unit exploring the geographical, economic, and social differences between the North and South in the mid-19th century, centered on the life of Harriet Tubman and the abolitionist movement.

A 3-day project where students research and create a visual timeline of the major military and political events in the European Theater of WWII, analyzing significance and outcomes.

Une série de modules de formation destinés aux conseillers pédagogiques pour renforcer leur expertise en ingénierie de formation continue, spécifiquement appliquée à l'enseignement du français à l'école primaire.

A series of lessons designed to turn students into historical investigators by providing structured frameworks for analyzing visual data and written primary sources.

A comprehensive look at the origins and early stages of World War II, from global systemic failures to the specific regional reasons for Australian involvement.

A collection of high-leverage US History warm-ups designed to prepare students for the STAAR EOC through stimulus-based practice and quick-hit review.

A comprehensive unit exploring Japan's transition from a feudal isolationist state to a modern global power, covering the decline of the Shogunate and the rapid modernization of the Meiji era.

A comprehensive unit exploring the historical, scientific, and ethical dimensions of the Manhattan Project and the end of World War II, with differentiated tracks for diverse learners.

A series of lessons examining the hidden narratives of social justice movements and the diverse leaders who shaped American history through advocacy and resilience.

A comprehensive unit exploring the diverse urban and rural land use patterns across the Balkan Peninsula, culminating in a comparative research project.

A comprehensive K-5 Media Center curriculum spanning August to May. Each month features a thematic unit integrating library skills (Dewey Decimal System, research, digital citizenship), literacy (poetry, biographies, informational texts), and STEM/Maker Space challenges. Resources are differentiated for K-2 and 3-5.

A comprehensive 12-day unit for 7th graders covering the origins, events, and aftermath of the Cold War. Using a 'Top Secret Dossier' theme, students explore ideologies, decolonization, proxy wars, and the eventual fall of the Soviet Union through data literacy, source analysis, and collaborative activities.

A comprehensive middle school history unit where students act as 'history detectives' to investigate the rise of nation-states in England, France, Spain, and Russia through primary source analysis.

A comprehensive exploration of American history and culture from the 1950s to the 2000s, using primary sources to trace social, political, and technological shifts.

A deep dive into the 16th-century contact between European powers and indigenous American civilizations, exploring the complexities of conquest, resistance, and the emergence of a new global order.

A three-day psychology unit for 7th graders exploring the reasons behind cheating through the lenses of nature vs. nurture and person vs. situation, culminating in a structured 20-minute debate.

A 5-day inquiry-based unit for 10th grade US History exploring the central question: "Should the US have gotten involved in WWI?" Students analyze primary sources, economic ties, and diplomatic shifts to form their own evidence-based conclusion.

Une série de modules de formation destinés aux conseillers pédagogiques pour renforcer leur expertise en ingénierie de formation continue, spécifiquement appliquée à l'enseignement du français à l'école primaire.

A series of lessons designed to turn students into historical investigators by providing structured frameworks for analyzing visual data and written primary sources.

A collection of high-leverage US History warm-ups designed to prepare students for the STAAR EOC through stimulus-based practice and quick-hit review.

A comprehensive unit on the life, conquests, and lasting impact of Alexander the Great, featuring instructional refreshers, investigative mysteries, and critical source analysis.

A comprehensive multi-day unit exploring World War I through a Texas lens, covering global causes, revolutionary military technology, the significant contributions of Texans, and the complex aftermath of the war.

A 4-day social studies unit for 3rd grade focusing on Arizona's geography, history, and economy, specifically designed to meet standard 3.RI.9 by comparing and contrasting key details across multiple texts.

A comprehensive journey through United States history from the aftermath of the Civil War to the contemporary era, exploring the social, political, and economic shifts that shaped the modern nation.

An in-depth exploration of First Amendment law, focusing on the tension between individual liberty and the public good through various categories of restricted speech.

An immersive unit on the Cold War, styled as a series of declassified intelligence briefings exploring the global struggle for power between 1945 and 1991.

A comprehensive 20-lesson inquiry unit for 2nd grade exploring Iowa's history, focusing on changes in daily life, significant individuals, and community celebrations using the C3 Framework.

A series of lessons designed to improve historical writing skills, focusing on evidence analysis, claim construction, and argumentative structure.

A tribute to influential women of color from 2015 to the present, focusing on their achievements in politics, science, arts, and activism. Students explore biographies through a trivia-style game and creative research activities.

A 5-day unit exploring the geography, climate, indigenous cultures (Paiute and Coast Salish), and modern life of the Western United States, culminating in a travel brochure project.

A two-day historical simulation and project focused on the Bay of Pigs invasion, Cold War containment strategies, and multi-perspective journalism. Students analyze primary sources and government documents to create a 1961 newspaper report.

A comprehensive K-5 Media Center curriculum spanning August to May. Each month features a thematic unit integrating library skills (Dewey Decimal System, research, digital citizenship), literacy (poetry, biographies, informational texts), and STEM/Maker Space challenges. Resources are differentiated for K-2 and 3-5.

A comprehensive 12-day unit for 7th graders covering the origins, events, and aftermath of the Cold War. Using a 'Top Secret Dossier' theme, students explore ideologies, decolonization, proxy wars, and the eventual fall of the Soviet Union through data literacy, source analysis, and collaborative activities.

A comprehensive middle school history unit where students act as 'history detectives' to investigate the rise of nation-states in England, France, Spain, and Russia through primary source analysis.

A comprehensive deep-dive into Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, focusing on Act 1. Students will analyze character dynamics, the tension between destiny and choice, and the rich poetic language of the play across individual scenes.

A comprehensive exploration of American history and culture from the 1950s to the 2000s, using primary sources to trace social, political, and technological shifts.

A deep dive into the 16th-century contact between European powers and indigenous American civilizations, exploring the complexities of conquest, resistance, and the emergence of a new global order.

A three-day psychology unit for 7th graders exploring the reasons behind cheating through the lenses of nature vs. nurture and person vs. situation, culminating in a structured 20-minute debate.

A comprehensive 3rd-grade unit focused on self-identity, distinguishing between internal and external characteristics, exploring Indigenous and Mexica narratives, and culmininating in creative self-expression.

A 5-day inquiry-based unit for 10th grade US History exploring the central question: "Should the US have gotten involved in WWI?" Students analyze primary sources, economic ties, and diplomatic shifts to form their own evidence-based conclusion.

A unit exploring the geographical, economic, and social differences between the North and South in the mid-19th century, centered on the life of Harriet Tubman and the abolitionist movement.

A series of lessons examining the diverse perspectives and untold stories of the American Revolution, highlighting the experiences of groups often sidelined in traditional narratives.

A series of lessons designed to turn students into historical investigators by providing structured frameworks for analyzing visual data and written primary sources.

A comprehensive look at the origins and early stages of World War II, from global systemic failures to the specific regional reasons for Australian involvement.

A collection of high-leverage US History warm-ups designed to prepare students for the STAAR EOC through stimulus-based practice and quick-hit review.

A comprehensive unit exploring Japan's transition from a feudal isolationist state to a modern global power, covering the decline of the Shogunate and the rapid modernization of the Meiji era.

A series of 2nd-grade biography lessons exploring the lives and achievements of diverse trailblazers in science, aviation, innovation, and math. Each lesson focuses on identifying the person and their key contributions to the world.

A comprehensive unit exploring the historical, scientific, and ethical dimensions of the Manhattan Project and the end of World War II, with differentiated tracks for diverse learners.