1. Why is Social Studies Important?
Pic 1 – The Chernobyl liquidator is removing a baby that was left behind when the city was evacuated.
Pic 2 – Captain America was created to fight the Nazis.
Pic 3 – An actor participates in a celebration of the Day of the Dead.
Pic 4 – The world is a global village – often people are a mix of ethnicities due to past events like exploration.

2. 2. We are members of the global village.
We are always hearing about the importance of math, language arts, and science in our daily lives, but what about social studies? The lessons learned in social studies are vital to our development as human beings. Here are three of the many reasons why social studies is important.
1. We are interdependent.
2. We are members of the global village.
3. “What’s past is present.” William Shakespeare

3. Interdependency No country is an island…
This graphic shows who are the world’s main producers of textiles (cloth). Notice that China is number one – no surprise there. Notice how powerful the EU (European Union) is with 26% of the trade. Individually, the countries of Europe wouldn’t even be on the graphic. There is strength in numbers even in economics.
Interdependency
No country is
an island…

4. Interdependency related in such a way that each needs or depends on the other  The two nations are politically independent but economically interdependent.
Most of the stuff we buy and own isn’t made in the USA. We depend on other countries to trade with us. We buy stuff from them, hopefully they buy stuff from us. It isn’t even though. Just like people, countries need to make more money than they spend. This buying and selling is economics, which we will highlight this year as we study different countries.

5. 1. Currently, China makes low tech items such as toys
1. Currently, China makes low tech items such as toys. This is changing and they are currently positioning themselves to produce high tech items. They are a global powerhouse. Why do you think the elementary school is teaching Mandarin Chinese? 2. Oil, obviously, is from the Middle East Tennis shoes are produced in countries like China, Vietnam…. Even though the companies (Nike…) are American. This is due to their low hourly rates, lack of environmental guidelines, and limited OSHA oversight Some countries, like Germany, are known for making fantastic cars. FYI – who invented the car – a German named Benz. Henry Ford developed the assembly line which led to the mass production of cars Hqve your class look at their clothes to see where they are from – countries with low standards of living. 5.

6. Global Village
It’s a Small World After All

7. Global Village/Awareness
Global Village/Awareness the world seen as a community in which people are connected by computers, television, etc., and all depend on one another
Due to advances in technology, we can not only talk to people around the world, but see them on webcams. Americans think nothing of vacationing in other countries.
As citizens of Planet Earth, when we hear of other’s misfortune, we want to help. Floods, earthquakes, and the spread of swine flu are a few examples. When people travel, so do germs.
“np-BET” is written in the Cyrillic alphabet - used by the Slavic languages such as Russian.

9. Phillipines
Tibet
Peru

11. “What’s Past is Present.”
William Shakespeare

12. “What’s Past is Present.” William Shakespeare 1564 - 1616
Who we are today comes from the past. This includes our words, actions, gestures, beliefs. The list is endless…
In many instances, issues that arose in the past are still with us today. Disagreements over natural resources, belief systems, and culture sadly are the fuel for current day tensions in many regions around the world.
Judaism Christianity Islam
The three religions are called the western religions and are the ones we study this year. All three are monotheist (belief in one God/supreme being) and have Abraham as their patriarch. In seventh grade, you will study eastern religions.

14. 1. These young people are using steel drums (pans)
1. These young people are using steel drums (pans). In history, African slaves had been stripped of their cultural identity, their names, their music, so they created new music using things they found lying around. It originated on the island of Trinidad. 2. Godzilla was conceived as a metaphor for nuclear weapons (Japanese/WWII). 3. Cerburus is the three headed dog who guards the river Styx in Greek mythology. JKRowling called him Fluffy in Harry Potter books. 4. Some hand gestures which are positive in America are not in other countries The guy on left can only speak English, the guy on the right is multi-lingual, like most Europeans Vikings did not have horns on their heads. Most Norsemen were farmers, not warriors/berserkers. From the Vikings came the days of the week – Thor = Thurs This gentleman is representing his Aztec roots.

16. Why is Social Studies Important? Because it is our story!
Pic 1 – The northern lights above an igloo in Canada.
Pic 2 – A river cruise attraction in Australia that shouldn’t be missed.
Pic 3 This is an ice hotel in Quebec City, Canada.
Pic 4 Ireland
Why is Social Studies Important? Because it is our story!

17. Social Studies is everywhere
It’s definitely worth studying!