Social Studies and Our Kids Today
Since diving into the five strands of social studies — Civics and Government, Economics, Geography, New Hampshire and U.S. History, and World History and Contemporary Issues — it has made me think differently about how kids today need to learn.
Social studies isn’t just about memorizing facts anymore (and honestly, it probably never should have been). It’s about helping students understand how they fit into the world — how they can make decisions, think critically, and see things from different perspectives. With everything going on today — technology, climate change, different cultures mixing more than ever — students need social studies that feels real and relevant to their lives.
When I think about it as a K–8 learner, it’s clear that kids need hands-on, meaningful experiences. They need chances to talk, create, question, and problem-solve — not just listen to a lecture. They’re growing up in a fast-changing world, and our teaching has to grow with them.
The Strand I'm Focusing on This Week: Geography
For this week’s focus, I’m choosing Geography.
I love geography because it’s really about stories — the stories of places, people, and how they’re connected. Geography isn’t just about maps (although those are fun too!). It’s about understanding why people live where they do, how they change the land, and what environments mean for different ways of life.
Theme for My Unit:
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Strand: Geography
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Theme: People, Places, and Environments
In my social studies unit, I want students to explore how the places around them shape their lives — and how they, in turn, shape those places. We’ll look at maps, talk about our communities, and even dream up new kinds of places we might want to live in.
At the end of the day, I want my students to walk away not just knowing what a mountain or a city is — but feeling like they are part of a bigger world that they can care for and shape themselves.
Hi Sam,
ReplyDeleteWhen you look at the 5 themes of geography, it seems like you are covering "human environment interaction". I always love this one because once upon a time I took an Art History: Sacred Spaces class and it really drove home the idea of "is it sacred because humans have changed it" vs "is it sacred in its natural element"? Given the climate change agendas of activists and some country, this could be angle worth exploring to help them understand the future needs of people around the work, especially as climate refugees increase.
Erin
Hi Sam! I love how you're thinking about social studies in such a dynamic, student-centered way! You're absolutely right—it's about helping kids make connections, think critically, and see their role in the world. Geography is such a great strand for this, especially when you focus on how places shape lives and how people, in turn, shape those places. By making it personal and relevant, your students will gain a deeper understanding of the world around them, and they'll be able to think more critically about the environment, communities, and even their own impact. I think your focus on hands-on, meaningful experiences is spot on—kids need to feel engaged and empowered to take action in their world. Keep up the amazing work!
ReplyDeleteHi Samantha, I love that your post touches on social studies not being simply memorization anymore. That's so right that it has to be relevant to kid's lives for them to care about it. I like your point about the whys hows and whats of geography, and as much as I love a good map, you're totally right. Eventually kids will be presented with adult decisions like where they spend parts of their life, where they choose to assign significance to, whether that be a home or school or favorite place and how they choose to interact with those environments. When those decisions have to be made, geography is going to be their best friend, and a thorough education on said geography will be invaluable.
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