Curriculum Corner — Social Studies

This week we will share social studies resources for your learners.

Story of the World
Grades K – 6
Learning Styles: Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic

Story of the World is an excellent resource for families looking for a history curriculum. There are four volumes designed to be used for a year long history study. The volumes include Ancient Times, The Middle Ages, Early Modern Times, and The Modern Age. It is recommended to purchase both the volume and activity book. The activity book has numerous activities, projects, maps, and engaging lessons to extend the text. The audiobooks are a wonderful resource read by Jim Weiss, and most learners love to listen to him read aloud. There are also tests and timelines that could be purchased to supplement the volumes.

History Odyssey
Grades K – HS
Learning Styles: Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic

History Odyssey brings to life the story of mankind through a comprehensive study of the literature, historical events, and geography of the time period. Each study guide is intended to lead the instructor and learner through a year-long study of the Ancients, the Middle Ages, Early Modern, Modern Times, or American History. They provide the framework and structure for using and organizing many of the best resources available for history and literature.

Studies Weekly
Grades K – 6
Learning Styles: Visual and Auditory

Studies Weekly is yearly newspaper subscription that you can purchase for social studies. The content covers grade level standards that are specific to California. For example, the “4th Grade Social Studies Newspaper” covers all of the standards for California history! Many parents have inquired about social studies programs that cover the California state standards and Studies Weekly is a great resource for your home! When you purchase the print magazine, you also gain access to Studies Weekly’s extensive online website that includes digital copies of the newspapers that can be read to your learner, topical videos, games, worksheets, quizzes and more!

Evan-Moor
Grades 1-8
Learning Styles: Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic

Evan-Moor has published numerous resources for social studies and history that your learners will love. One of their popular products with independent studyers is their history pocket series. History pockets include hands-on activities for different historical periods that could be compiled in a pocketbook portfolio. Evan-Moor also has teacher resource books for the geography and learning about the seven continents. There are also downloadable units on communities, famous Americans, holidays, and other topics. Preview their website to enjoy the many wonderful resource books they have for social studies and other subjects.

History at Our House
Grades 2-12
Learning Styles: Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic

History at Our House
offers a complete on-demand (video lessons) independent study history curriculum featuring a three-year core curriculum rotation of ancient, European, and American history. There are also optional courses in world history with exciting tie-ins to other subjects including the unique History Through Art program to integrate history with visual art and poetry.

Moving Beyond the Page
Grades TK-8
Learning Styles: Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic

Moving Beyond the Page is an excellent resource that teaches social studies and includes history, government, economics, geography, culture, and citizenship. Moving Beyond the Page covers the state standards for each grade level using engaging books, projects, and lessons.

BookShark
Grades TK-12
Learning Styles: Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic

BookShark™s Reading with History program is designed for learners to learn from multiple perspectives and engage in thought-provoking discussion. A variety of academic resources, including fictional and nonfictional literature, biographies, and illustrative books, are used to deliver an engaging and complete education. BookShark also offers comprehensive programs for grades TK-8 that cover all academic subjects.

Teacher File Box by Evan-Moor
Grades TK-8
Learning Styles: Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic

Teacher File Box
by Evan-Moor is a valuable resource for social studies lessons and worksheets. You can search by topic and/or grade level to find fun worksheets and lessons for your learners. This site also includes other subjects. You can subscribe to an annual subscription for a discounted price using your funds.

Time 4 Learning
Grades TK-12
Learning Styles: Visual and Auditory

Time 4 Learning is an online resource for families to use for social studies and other subjects. Time 4 Learning has lessons, videos and assessments that learners enjoy using to learn social studies concepts. Families can purchase a monthly or yearly subscription to this online program.

Social Studies Books and Videos
All ages
Learning Styles: Visual and Auditory

Learners love to read books about history! When you read a historical fiction book or biography about the time period in which you are learning, history comes to life! Here is a list of books categorized by historical time period:

Best Children’s Books and Usborne have lists of social studies and history books cataloged by topic. Visit your local library for these books or purchase them with funds through Rainbow Resource .

Magic Tree House books are written at elementary reading levels and cover various historical topics. Local libraries have most of these books. The Magic Tree House website also has some fun resources and games.

The D’Aulaire books are beautifully written and are an excellent choice for biographies. The George Washington and Abraham Lincoln biographies are always a favorite. The D’Aulaires also wrote an excellent Greek Myths book.

Jim Weiss has a collection of audio CDs that contain historical stories and biographies. Jim Weiss is an award-winning storyteller, and your learners will be captivated by his audiobooks.

Discovery Education , Brain Pop , and Enchanted Learning are all part of your iLEAD Exploration Subscription Package and will be valuable tools for teaching Social Studies this year!

Exploring Curriculum is a series covering the core academic subjects for grades TK-8. Here are some of the past subjects covered:

Math

Phonics

Science

Please keep in mind that while links are included to the publisher’s website, many of the resources are available at Rainbow Resource and some of the curriculum may be cheaper there. As you begin to place orders, it is usually more economical to place one big order versus paying the shipping costs on several smaller orders.