1. Social Studies: Practical and Engaging Strategies
Do introductions. Ask how many are teachers, administrators, other.
Walnut Hill Elementary

2. What we Teach, Why we Teach How we Teach
SOCIAL STUDIES
What we Teach,
Why we Teach
How we Teach

3. Learning Environment Supportive High expectations Motivates
Responsibility
Classroom management
Various viewpoints

4. Learning Environment Continued
Mutual respect
Compassion
Self-discipline
Respectful
Democratic principles
Relationships

5. Assessment Reflection Data Monitors progress Revises Misconceptions
Rubrics
Feedback
Self-assessment
Peer assessment

6. Engagement and Rigor Real world issues Historical inquiry
Debates/defend responses
Problem solving/variety of approaches
Clarifies learning targets
Resources

7. Relevance Meaningful Mistakes natural part of learning
Prior experiences
Background knowledge
Connections to community and current events

8. Content Knowledge Understanding and application
Communicates to students
On-going knowledge
Awareness of current developments
Designs and implements standards-based lessons
Content literacy strategies
Technology

9. A look inside…

10. Inquiry-Based Learning, Using the Chinese Proverb, I set my classes up in this manner so they have lots of opportunities to be involved with their learning. When teaching a lesson I hope I make it easy for students to relate to what they are learning. By involving students in the lesson they are learning more than just facts. I tried to do hands – on activities this helps the students to take ownership in the lesson. Not every lesson can be interactive.

12. Lesson Strategy Flash Back Lecture Activity Video Exit Slip
This is what has worked for me and my students. I feel the reason I am here today are the results that I am getting on KPREP testing. My students tend to do very well. At my school we are 98% free and reduced. We did not get much help from parents (involvement) so it is up to us to teach the students at school. This is my lesson format. At any time during my presentation if you have questions feel free to ask.

13. Flash Back 3-5 review questions- 5-10 minutes
I start every class with a flash back. Flash backs are 3-5 multiple choice questions.

14. Flashback
Week
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday 1
1._________________
2._________________
3._________________
4._________________
5._________________ 2 3 4 5 6
Students write answer here. No grade is taken. We have class discussion about each question. Students have to explain why they chose their answer whether it is right or wrong.

15. Lecture New content (10-15 minutes) Discuss Big Idea Units
Geography Revolutionary War
Economics Government
Native Americans Westward Expansion
Explorers Kentucky
Early Colonies
13 Colonies
Handout about Big Idea.

16. Activity (30-40 minutes) Compass Rose Walking Classroom
Constructing Map
Constructing Globe
Guest Speakers
Native American Book
CSI: The Lost Colony
King Of Tootsie Roll
Chromebooks

17. Globes and Landforms Flipbook
Map-making!
Latitude and Longitude Activity

18. CSI Investigators: The Lost Colony
Students will work in groups to examine possible theories that explain the fate of the Lost Colony at Roanoke. Students will have a choice of 6 possible scenarios, analyzing a variety of questions they have come up in an attempt to uncover what truly happened to the Lost Colonists. At the end of the investigation, students look at recent evidence that was uncovered in May, Students analyze the evidence to draw new conclusions on the whereabouts of the Lost Colony!
During the CSI Investigators lesson the students had to present their argument to the class and try to convince their classmates that their scenario actually happened. An example that occurred in the class is one group said a hurricane hit the Lost Colony and they had to use weather reports, tree, etc.

19. My students walk, listen and learn!
Walking Classroom
Has about 100 pre-recorder lessons on a podcast. From Taxes. Daniel Boone, Erie Canal, Gold Rush, Gettysburg to Statue of Liberty. I use the Walking Classroom along with m units minutes. Has a quiz after each lesson. Usually listen to each lesson twice. Student walk, listen and learn. Anything to break the monotony of a tradition classroom.
My students walk, listen and learn!

20. Videos Video examples: Red Skelton “Pledge of Allegiance”
(10-15 minutes)
Video examples:
Red Skelton “Pledge of Allegiance”
Barney Fife “The Preamble”
Andy Griffith “The British Are Coming”
Liberty Kids
These videos can be found at
Each student memorizes the Preamble and says it to me. Each word of the Preamble is explained and the students write in their own words what it means.

21. Native American Guest Speakers
Senator Jimmy Higdon
Representative Mike Harmon

22. Exit Slip
Week
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday 1 2 3 4 5 6
The exit slip refers back to the big idea in the lesson. An example would be explain longitude and latitude.

23. Celebrations

24. Resources Study Island (Important) Social Studies Alive
Walking Classroom (Grant)
USA Studies Weekly
Social Studies Quiz Game Show (Lakeshore)
Teacher Tube
You Tube
KET Encyclomedia
Pinterest
Teacher Pay Teacher
Super Teacher
Ed Helper
US History Shorts
Common Core Sheets (
Content Area Social Studies (Scholastic)
Resource Boxes from Lakeshore (ex. Explorers)