“The researchers analyzed reading scores for almost 7,000 students, tracing them from first to fifth grade, and also looked at how much time they reportedly spent on ELA and other subjects. By fifth grade, students who received an additional thirty minutes a day of social studies instruction got significantly higher reading scores than students who didn’t.” 

Natalie Wexler, Forbes

Often the teachers in the trenches do not have a choice in their daily schedules as they are dictated by administrators. If you are a teacher that is constrained by your schedule, but want to increase your students’ reading comprehension, I’m here to help!

Below, I present FIVE PRACTICAL APPROACHES to effortlessly infuse more social studies content into your daily lessons, thereby increasing your students’ reading comprehension.

ENRICH READ-ALOUDS WITH SOCIAL STUDIES BOOKS

My NUMBER ONE TIP for seamlessly integrating social studies into your curriculum is by incorporating both fiction and non-fiction social studies books during your read-aloud sessions.

You may be wondering where to find great social studies based read-alouds – I’ve got the perfect solution! Did you know that the National Council of Social Studies creates a list every year of the Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People? I so look forward to the list coming out and checking out their recommendations and saving my favorites. The list is categorized by grade levels (elementary, middle, high school), and each entry is supplemented with informative annotations.

I’m so excited to share this wonderful free online resource that lets you filter the entire list of Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People. The website includes all of the lists since 2015. You can sort by grade level, cultural experience, genre, and more! Here’s the link for your convenience. 

CONNECT THE DOTS WITH MAPS

Do you have a map of the world or the United States on the wall of your classroom? Or do you have pull-down maps? I really love pull-down maps since wall space is scarce in elementary classrooms. Whatever way you can make it work, make sure you have maps hanging in your classroom. (P.S. Ask your custodian if there are any pull-down maps stashed away; they always know where you can find the good stuff!)

But how can you harness the potential of these maps? Whenever you encounter any reference to a region, country, state, or city in your lessons, point it out on the map.

Let’s say you are reading Rechenka’s Eggs to your students; take a minute to tell the students that the setting is in Moscow, Russia. On the map, show them Russia and its relationship to the United States. When the author mentions Moscow, point to Moscow on the map. In just a few short minutes you have helped students build their background knowledge about Russia. 

MORNING MEETING

Another way to add social studies to your day is through your morning meeting. One idea is to do “Monday Maps.” On Mondays, include a map in your morning message. For example, you could include an outline of your state and ask the question, “What state is this?” and the students can respond with sticky-notes… or however you choose to have them answer. 

Another morning meeting ideas is to share a weird history fact and ask the question: “Do you think this statement is true or false?”  A great source for weird history facts is this book, Ye Olde Weird But True: 300 Outrageous Facts from History

SHARING PRIMARY SOURCES

Share a primary source like an old photograph, painting, or artifact and ask the students to examine the image. If you choose an old photograph, for example, show the image and then ask the students: What do you see? What is happening? How can you tell? Next, ask the students to infer as to what happened just before the picture was taken, what happened after picture was taken, and what evidence from the image backs that up.

*Be sure to use the word infer. You want them to really understand what that means. If you are looking for a ready-to-use resource, check out my Teaching Inference Using Historical Pictures package. 

FOSTERING EVERYDAY CITIZENS

Any time you have your students engage in classroom voting, use these opportunities to emphasize the importance of citizen participation. Highlight that voting is a fundamental right for citizens in the United States.

Furthermore, incorporate discussions about local current events into your lessons. For example, if a new bridge or highway is being constructed in your town, explain to your students that taxes contribute to funding such projects.

At the outset of the school year, establish connections between classroom and school expectations and the attributes of good citizenship. Later, continue to broaden these discussions to explain to students what constitutes good citizenship within the community, state, and beyond.

In a world that’s constantly changing, where understanding the past helps us navigate the future, the role of social studies in education cannot be overstated. Through the lens of recent research, we know the impact of dedicating just half an hour a day to this subject. As you’ve explored the five practical strategies I’ve shared, think about the possibilities they hold for your classroom. These strategies are more than just techniques; they’re pathways to creating a generation of learners who are equipped to critically analyze, thoughtfully engage with their surroundings, and actively contribute to the betterment of society. 

I hope you will consider trying some or all of these strategies. My goal is to help make teaching social studies a breeze and help our students become informed citizens and better readers. Together, we’ll bring the world into our classroom in a way that’s engaging, practical, and meaningful.

The post 5 Simple Strategies to Seamlessly Add Social Studies to Your Daily Teaching appeared first on Catch the Buzz Teaching.

Are you looking for some picture books with a global perspective to read aloud to your students? Look no further! This list of eight beautifully illustrated books will cultivate your students’ curiosity about the world and its people. Discovering the world through literature sparks curiosity and encourages readers to seek further knowledge about different countries, customs, and histories.

The books are linked to Amazon (I don’t receive any compensation from Amazon) so you can take a closer look. You really must see the illustrations!

Keep reading to discover these eight beautifully illustrated books that will captivate young minds with global wonders.

If the World Were a Village by David J. Smith, Illustrated by Shelagh Armstrong

“If the World Were a Village – A Book about the World’s People” is an informative and thought-provoking picture book written by David J. Smith and illustrated by Shelagh Armstrong. The book creatively presents complex global statistics and demographics in a way that is accessible and engaging for young readers. By imagining the world’s population as a village of 100 people, it simplifies the vast diversity of humanity and allows readers to grasp the distribution of languages, religions, access to resources, and other essential aspects of global demographics. Through colorful illustrations and concise text, the book promotes cultural awareness and understanding, encouraging readers to appreciate the rich tapestry of people and traditions that make up our global community. It serves as an excellent educational resource to spark discussions about global citizenship, empathy, and the importance of cooperation in addressing global challenges.

If You Lived Here: Houses of the World by Giles Laroche

“If You Lived Here: Houses of the World ” is an illuminating non-fiction picture book written and illustrated by Giles Laroche. This beautifully crafted book takes young readers on a global journey, exploring various types of houses and dwellings found in different cultures and regions. Through intricate paper-cut illustrations and concise descriptions, the book celebrates the diversity of human habitation, fostering an appreciation for cultural differences and architectural ingenuity.

Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney, Illustrated by Qin Leng

“Me on the Map” is an educational and interactive picture book written by Joan Sweeney and illustrated by Annette Cable. The book introduces young readers to the concept of geography and cartography by guiding them through the process of understanding their place in the world, from their home to their neighborhood, city, state, country, and continent. With engaging illustrations and simple explanations, the book helps children develop spatial awareness and an appreciation for the larger world around them.

One Well: The Story of Water on Earth by Rochelle Strauss, Illustrated by Rosemary Woods

“One Well: The Story of Water on Earth” is an eye-opening and informative picture book written by Rochelle Strauss and illustrated by Rosemary Woods. The book sheds light on the crucial role water plays in sustaining life on Earth and the delicate balance of the global water cycle. With clear and concise text complemented by captivating illustrations, the book emphasizes the need for responsible water usage and environmental conservation to protect this vital resource for future generations.

One World, Many Colors by Ben Lerwill, Illustrated by Alette Straathof

“One World, Many Colors” is a vibrant and multicultural picture book written by Ben Lerwill and illustrated by Alette Straathof. The book celebrates the diversity of cultures and traditions around the world, focusing on the colors that represent each unique heritage. Through lively illustrations and concise descriptions, the book encourages young readers to appreciate and embrace the richness of human diversity and the beauty it brings to our global community.

This Is Our World: From Alaska to the Amazon ― Meet 20 Children Just Like You by Tracey Turner

“This Is Our World: From Alaska to the Amazon―Meet 20 Children Just Like You” is an enlightening and culturally enriching picture book written by Tracey Turner. The book introduces readers to a diverse group of children from different parts of the world, offering glimpses into their daily lives, traditions, and customs. Through engaging text and photographs, the book promotes empathy, understanding, and a sense of global interconnectedness among young readers.

Woven of the World by Katey Howes, Illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova

“Woven of the World” is a beautifully illustrated picture book written by Katey Howes and illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova. The book weaves together a tapestry of cultural diversity by exploring various textile traditions from around the world. With lyrical prose and intricate artwork, the book celebrates the artistry and craftsmanship of different cultures while highlighting the universal value of creativity and human expression through textile arts.

The World Around Me by Charlotte Guillain, Illustrated by Oliver Averill

“The World Around Me” is an engaging and educational picture book written by Charlotte Guillain and illustrated by Oliver Averill. The book explores the wonders of the natural world, introducing young readers to various ecosystems and the fascinating creatures that inhabit them. With descriptive text and captivating artwork, the book fosters curiosity about nature and inspires a sense of wonder and awe for the planet we call home.

The post 8 Must-Read Picture Books With a Global Perspective appeared first on Catch the Buzz Teaching.

A couple of years ago, I read this headline: Want Kids To Be Better Readers? Teach Social Studies. I was gobsmacked. This was a title from an article by Natalie Wexler (author of the Knowledge Gap) published in Forbes’ website on September 26, 2020 and it lit a fire under me. Finally! someone said what I’d known for years: If you want to improve student reading, teach them social studies!

For years I watched with dread as social studies was pushed out of the elementary school day. Those that have been in this game for a while know what I’m talking about. In the not so distant past, social studies and science were taught every single day in every classroom. But then No Child Left Behind came along. And then the push for STEM came along. Pretty soon social studies was relegated to once every other week for 45 minutes, or some other paltry number. “The focus needs to be on reading,” we were told, “and you must use this book, and every grade level needs to be on the same page at the same time.”

My colleagues and I fought our principals and district administrators against this trend. We had meeting after meeting and tried to convince them the importance of reading real books, and integrating social studies into language arts and vice versa. During the meeting, we emphasized the importance of teaching social studies and how it would hook the kids into reading more about the topic. We fought and fought. We fought so hard a teammate was involuntary transferred to a different school … the year she was to retire. I stayed teaching at the elementary level for one more year after that and then I transferred to middle school to teach … social studies.

So… after I read Want Kids To Be Better Readers? Teach Social Studies I immediately sent it the superintendent who had pushed back so hard years before. Do you know what she said? “Yes! There is all this new research out now. Here’s another article.” I wanted to scream. We tried to tell you that 10 years ago ma’am!

What’s the point? The point is that now that I’ve left the classroom, I want to help teachers teach social studies so that they can help improve their student reading. I will share ideas and resources that will make it so easy to incorporate social studies into their day that they will be excited about it. I want to help transform elementary classrooms to help teachers make their students better readers by teaching social studies.

(If you want to read more from Natalie Wexler, I highly recommend The Knowledge Gap. Here is a link for her book.)

The post IMPROVE STUDENT READING: TEACH SOCIAL STUDIES appeared first on Catch the Buzz Teaching.