A key question in Social Studies is:

“Why do people think, feel and act the way they do, across changes in time, age, gender, culture, socio-economic class and technology?”

Social Studies is the study of things social and is a very broad topic. However, for young students we tend to focus on areas of learning and topics that is releveant to their world.

Starting with things they have some knowledge of and moving out to the unknown.

"Faith, Values and Community"

Here are some examples of issues and question Grades 1-3  children may examine while looking at issues that arise out of a daily family devotion and discussion.

Key learning strands for younger students (Grade 1-4 students) are:

• looking at the importance of God’s plan for our lives and how much He loves us
• examining the different roles and responsibilities of various individuals in our family and community
• the importance of following rules and instructions
• the importance of manners and politeness
• the importance of education and the opportunities education can provide for God to use us
• examining “cause and effect” or the consequences of following God’s way in everyday life and across a life time.

A teacher/parent would apply these issues to the wider community asking open questions that promote thinking around social issues.

Students who are working through these processes need to keep a Project Journal book of topics covered, questions, learning and discoveries… 

An Example of a Social Studies Project for Grades 4-8 around families

Topic: “My Family and I”

Task 1. Draw up a clear diagram showing your family tree. Research and collect information so that you are able to display key information on each person. This could be published on an A3 page or a large piece of card.

Task 2. Draw up a Timeline that shows the sequence of important events in your family’s history and in your own life so far. You may have 20 or more events dated with a brief description of places along this timeline. Choose 10 events and illustrate 4 or 5 events from before your birth and 4 or 5 from your own.

Task 3. Interview a senior member of your family, asking:

What was life like when they were your age and what has changed?

What were their future hopes for the family and future generations?

How has technology changed their life?

And two or three questions of your own…

Use a recorder for your interview and write a report from your interview. Younger students will report on the main points discussed in the interview (around 100 to 200 words in Grade 4) older students will work in greater depth (around 600 to 800 words in Grade 8).

Task 4. Write up a family profile listing key information on each family member. Include two photos for each family member. Finish each members profile with a paragraph talking about what makes them special and the talents that God has given them.

Task 5. Turn you Family Profile into a Power Point presentation.

Task 6. Make a list of the hobbies, sports and interests of your family. Publish you list with photos.

Task 7. Examine the importance for families in God's economy. Find bible verses showing the importance of family and caring for each other. List the verses and write a short essay about; The Importance of the Family Unit.

Task 8. Send an Email to a non- immediate family member who you have not been in contact with for a while. Make sure the Email is encouraging and informative.

Task 9/10 Publish this work into a booklet incorporating graphics to make your work attractive and welcoming.

Integrated Units

CHBE is publishing intergrated Creative Writing and Social Studies Units and if you are interested in this material please contact our lead teacher Jason Caldwell to download.