Deepening the Presence of Social Studies in the Classroom

As a first grade teacher it is so easy to get caught up in the importance of teaching reading and math. I will not sugar coat it, teaching first grade can be difficult. I want to make sure my little friends leave my classroom feeling loved and happy. I want them to be able to read - first graders are expected to go from reading very basic CVC words to reading chapter books by the end of the year. I want them to be able to add double digits. The demands are high, and I work in a Title I school where many students are at an economic disadvantage. I have many students who come to school to have their basic needs met. So when I think of social studies instruction my first thought is often - if my student doesn't have a snack and cannot read or add - how can I worry about Social Studies? I still believe that is a fair question but my current course has allowed me to research and think about this in a way I had not previously had an opportunity to do. 

Social Studies can be incorporated into my literacy and math instruction. My students need to know about our history and understand cultural differences. Especially in the world we live in today. I live in a rural community but in the last two years I have had three different E.L.L. students. For where I live, that is unheard of. To me, that is what makes this course and my social studies instruction even more important. I want each and every one of my students to feel connected and safe at school. Teaching students about history and how we arrived at where we are today is only going to enhance their school experience. 

I think that one way I can deepen the presence of social studies in my classroom is to incorporate project based learning. Students research something substantial in our history. The best way to do this in first grade would be to incorporate it with something we are already learning about. For example, when Thanksgiving comes around I want to teach my students about the history of Thanksgiving and why we have it. I would first give the students the resources and base knowledge about what Thanksgiving is. Then we could develop our language skills by discussing our own thoughts and ideas about how thanksgiving came about. Student's could do a writing activity about what they are thankful for. First graders are expected to be able to write an opinion so it would be great to incorporate this into the Thanksgiving project. Students could write about their opinion on what their favorite thanksgiving food is. Students could also work to collect food for a food drive. This would allow us to connect with community members and develop an understanding of our community and why we celebrate thanksgiving. 

There are so many ways to incorporate social studies into all areas of education. Although sometimes history can hold some heavy and negative messages, it is so important to honestly and effectively educate our youth. It is my goal to give them facts and lead them to be critical thinkers and thoughtful people. I want my students to feel like they are apart of a community and that their thoughts and ideas matter.