Social Studies
This category includes social studies lesson plans, printable worksheets, lessons, and other teaching material and resources. Social Studies topics include American history, geography, culture, government, civics, and other related lessons.
AMERICAN HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY |
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LEARNING THE UNITED STATES MAP |
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Learning the United States MapAn introductory lesson plan on learning the map of the United States. |
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GREAT AMERICANS LESSON |
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Great Americans LessonA lesson plan on great Americans. |
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SPACE EXPLORATION LESSON PLAN |
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Space Exploration Lesson PlanA lesson plan on outer space exploration. |
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STATES AND CAPITALS - STATES RIDDLE |
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States and Capitals - States RiddleA social studies project on the states and capitals. |
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GEORGE WASHINGTON LESSON |
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George Washington LessonAn American History reading comprehension printable on George Washington. |
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ABRAHAM LINCOLN LESSON |
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Abraham Lincoln LessonAn American History reading comprehension printable on Abraham Lincoln. |
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THOMAS JEFFERSON LESSON |
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Thomas Jefferson LessonLearn about Thomas Jefferson. |
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MORE BIOGRAPHIES - LIFE STORIES |
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Christopher Columbus LessonLearn about Christopher Columbus.
Susan B. AnthonyLesson and worksheet on Susan B. Anthony.
Franklin D. RooseveltBibliography on President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Includes reading passage, and comprehension questions and answers.
Henry FordHenry Ford reading comprehension.
John F. KennedyA biography and lesson on the life of President John F. Kennedy.
Betsy Ross and the American FlagA biography on Betsy Ross and the American Flag.
PocahontasThe story of Pocahontas, and John Smith.
Davy CrockettThe life and story of Davy Crockett.
The Wright Brothers: Wilbur and Orville WrightA lesson on Wilbur and Orville Wright, and the beginning of flight.
Paul RevereA biography on Revolutionary Paul Revere.
Marie AntoinetteA biography on Marie Antoinette.
James MadisonA biography on President James Madison.
John AdamsA biography on John Adams, the 2nd president of the United States.
Benjamin HarrisonA biography on 23rd president, Benjamin Harrison.
Theodore RooseveltA biography on President Theodore Roosevelt.
Herbert HooverA biography on President Herbert Hoover.
Molly BrownFamous American Molly Brown and her life, including her survival on the Titanic.
Woodrow WilsonPresident Woodrow Wilson.
Amelia EarhartFamous American pilot Amelia Earhart.
Martin Luther King Jr.Learn about Martin Luther King Jr.
Hillary Rodham ClintonLearn about the life of Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Booker T. WashingtonLearn about the life of Booker T. Washington.
Frederick DouglassLearn about the life of Frederick Douglass.
Paul RobesonLearn about the life of athlete, actor, singer, writer, and civil rights activist Paul Robeson.
Eleanor RooseveltLearn about the life of Eleanor Roosevelt.
Oprah WinfreyLearn about the life of Oprah Winfrey.
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MORE AMERICAN HISTORY LESSONS |
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The Declaration of IndependenceDeclaration of Independence lesson worksheet.
Coming to America: A Pilgrim Story LessonThe history of the Pilgrims in England, their voyage on the Mayflower to America, and the first Thanksgiving.
JamestownThe Jamestown colony, and early American settlers.
The 13 ColoniesAn American History lesson on the 13 colonies.
Ellis IslandEllis Island and the history of immigration in America.
War of 1812The War of 1812, important battles, and other historical facts.
Pearl HarborThe Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and World War 2.
The Great DepressionThe history of the Great Depression in the United States.
The New DealFDR and the New Deal.
New England: The Birthplace of AmericaLearn about the important place New England has in American history.
Frontiers in AmericaLearn how America expanded and reached new frontiers.
The Lost Cities of Native AmericaLearn about two Native American civilizations of the past.
The Colorado RiverLearn about the mighty Colorado River, the lifeline of the southwest.
The Great PlainsLearn about the Great Plains, America's last major frontier.
The Hudson RiverLearn about the history and importance of the Hudson River.
Cheese in AmericaLearn about the history of cheese making in America and how cheese is made.
Peanut and Peanut FarmingLearn about the history of peanut farming in the United States.
Transportation by Water in Early AmericaLearn how early Americans transported people and goods by water.
Transportation in AmericaLearn how the United States transitioned from transporting people and goods by water to transportation on land.
The Spanish Empire in AmericaLearn how Spain colonized parts of the Americas and established an empire.
The Vikings in AmericaLearn about the Vikings and the Viking Age.
The Industrial RevolutionLearn about the Industrial Revolution in America.
The Workers Movement in AmericaLearn about the workers’ movement that arose in the United States during the Industrial Revolution.
New France: The French in AmericaLearn about the role of France in the history of North America.
The Southern Colonies of the United StatesLearn about the geography and economy of the Southern colonies/states.
Alaska and Hawaii – Geography and AcquisitionLearn about the geography of Alaska and Hawaii and how each region was acquired by the United States.
The Spanish American WarLearn about the Spanish American War and its results.
The Cold WarLearn about the Cold War between the United States and communism.
The United States under Theodore RooseveltLearn about the 26TH U.S. President and the changes that took place while he was in office.
World War ILearn about World War I, the results of the war, and how and when the U.S. became involved.
Dictators and the Start of World War IILearn about the rise of dictatorships that led to the start of World War II. |
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NATIVE AMERICANS |
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Native AmericansAfter reading and researching information about the Navajo tribe, students will be able understand the culture and traditions of the tribe and make comparisons to their own culture.
The Mound BuildersA lesson on the Mound Builders and native American Indian history.
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THE CIVIL WAR |
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Civil War: The NorthA general overview lesson on the Civil war and the North. Topics include the differences between the North and South, slavery, the Abolitionists, the Underground Railroad, Fort Sumter, the battles, the Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg, and the end to the Confederacy.
Civil War: The SouthA lesson on the south during the American Civil War. Includes life in the south, north and south differences, the Confederacy, and secession.
Ulysses S. GrantThe presidency of Ulysses S. Grant. |
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NORTH AMERICA GEOGRAPHY |
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North America GeographyA lesson on the geography of North America.
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Regions of the United StatesA lesson about the location and characteristics of each of the five regions within the United States.
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The Middle Atlantic Regions of the United StatesLearn about the geography and economy of the Middle Atlantic colonies/states.
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THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER |
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The Mighty Mississippi RiverHistory and commerce along the Mississippi river.
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GEOGRAPHY |
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My Favorite Places in School BookTo understand the human and physical characteristics of various places within the school.
Geography Acrostic PoemTo describe the human and physical characteristics of a particular region as expressed through an acrostic poem.
The Five Themes of Geography: Let’s Get Civil!To understand the ways people have adapted to and modified their environment in the United States.
The Five Themes of Geography: Let’s Build a Theme!To explore and define the five themes of geography.
The Five Themes of Geography: The People-Place ConnectionTo explore how humans adapt to variations in the physical environment with respect to one of the five themes of geography: human/environment interaction
The Five Themes of Geography: Story Webbing RobinsonsTo understand how humans adapt to variations in their physical environment [the human/environment interaction].
Canada’s GeographyLearn about the geography of Canada.
Canada’s Road to IndependenceLearn about the colonization of Canada and how Canada became an independent country.
Canadian Expansion and Canada TodayLearn about the expansion of Canada and what it is like today.
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UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT |
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United States Three Branches of GovernmentStudents learn about the 3 branches of Government in the U.S.
How a Bill Becomes a LawStudents learn about the 3 branches of Government in the U.S.
The U.S. ConstitutionHistory of the the U. S. Constitution and how the government is set up.
The Bill of RightsThe U.S. Bill of Rights including the ten amendments. |
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WHAT IS GOVERNMENT AND WHAT SHOULD IT DO? |
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What is Government?An introduction to the concepts of government and citizenship.
Why is Government Necessary?This lesson continues to introduce students to the concepts of government and citizenship, as they learn that government provides order, safety, and protects rights.
Where does Government get its Authority?Students learn where government gets its authority and learn to identify figures of authority along with the concepts of elected and appointed.
What Kinds of Laws are There?An introduction to different types of laws and rules that can be found in the United States.
How are Laws Enforced?A lesson on law enforcement and mediation.
Are all Laws Good Ones?Not all laws are equally fair or enforceable.
What Kinds of Government are There?An explanation of limited and unlimited governments and related power.
Why do we Need Limited Government?Why limited government is necessary for citizen involvement.
What are My Individual Rights?Learn the difference between personal, political, and economic rights.
Review and AssessmentWhat is government review and assessment. This lesson concludes the unit. |
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WORLD HISTORY |
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People from Around the WorldA lesson on the different cultures, holidays, and other traditions from around the world.
The AztecsLearn about the Aztecs of Mexico, their culture, and religion.
Code of HammurabiHistory lesson on the Code of Hammurabi.
The Seven Wonders of the WorldLearn about the seven wonders of the world, and ancient history.
History of the OlympicsA history of the Olympics and the ancient Greek games.
Ancient BabylonLearn about ancient Babylonian empires and the destruction of the city of Babylon.
Ancient PompeiiThe ancient Italian city of Pompeii.
Matteo Ricci: Missionary to the EastA lesson on Matteo Ricci, missionary to China and the East.
The French RevolutionThe causes and events of the French Revolution.
Alexander the GreatA lesson on Alexander the Great, and his life story.
Julius CaesarA lesson on Julius Caesar and the ancient Roman empire.
Anne FrankA lesson on Anne Frank, the young Jewish girl, and Germany during WW II.
Achilles, Troy, and the Trojan HorseA lesson on the life of Achilles, Troy, and the Trojan Horse.
The TitanicThe famous ship, the Titanic, and its doomed maiden voyage.
Central America and the CaribbeanLearn about the history of Central America and the Caribbean. |
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WORLD HISTORY AND CULTURE |
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The CaribbeanHistory, geography, and culture of the Caribbean.
China - Life and CultureLife and culture of China.
India - Life and CultureLife and culture of India.
Italy - Life and CultureLife and culture of Italy.
Mexico - Life and CultureLife and culture of Mexico.
Poland - Life and CultureLife and culture of Poland.
The World's Capital CitiesLearn about capital cities and why they exist.
European Explorers Travel to AsiaHow the Europeans traveled to and traded with Asia. |
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HOLIDAYS |
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Earth DayStudents recount the history and purpose of Earth Day.
Cinco de MayoStudents learn facts about the history of Cinco de Mayo and the Battle of Puebla.
Mothers DayStudents learn about Mothers Day.
Fathers DayStudents learn about Fathers Day, and compare and contrast it to Mothers day.
Memorial DayStudents learn about Memorial Day and why it is celebrated.
Flag DayStudents learn about Flag Day and the history of the American flag.
Independence DayStudents learn about Independence day, or the 4th of July.
Labor DayStudents learn about the history of Labor Day.
Columbus DayStudents learn about Columbus Day.
HalloweenStudents learn about Halloween, its history, and ways of celebrating.
Veterans DayLearn about Veterans Day, and its history.
ThanksgivingLearn about Thanksgiving, and its history.
ChristmasLearn about Christmas, and its history.
HanukkahLearn about Hanukkah, its history, and why it is celebrated.
KwanzaaLearn about Kwanzaa, its history, and why it is celebrated.
New Years and New Year’s ResolutionsLearn about New Years Day, its history, and why it is celebrated.
Martin Luther King Jr. DayLearn about Martin Luther King Jr.
Chinese New YearLearn about Chinese New Year, symbolism, legends, and how it is celebrated.
Groundhog DayLearn about the tradition and history of Groundhog Day.
Black History MonthLearn about Black History Month.
Valentines DayLearn about the tradition and history of Valentines Day.
Saint Patrick’s DayLearn about the tradition and history of Saint Patrick’s Day.
EasterLearn about the tradition and history of Easter.
Women’s History MonthLearn about Women’s History Month.
Election DayLearn about Election Day. |
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MUSIC HISTORY |
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The Evolution of MusicThe history and evolution of music.
GuitarsThe history of the guitar. |
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SPORTS HISTORY |
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Jackie RobinsonLearn about the life of Jackie Robinson and his baseball career.
Nadia ComaneciLearn about the life of gymnast Nadia Comaneci.
Miracle on IceLearn about the famous event in Olympic History, the Miracle on Ice.
Super Bowl IIILearn about the famous event in sports history, Super Bowl III.
Tiger WoodsLearn about the life and career of Tiger Woods. |
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OTHER SOCIAL STUDIES AND LIFE SKILLS TOPICS |
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Sharing is CaringA lesson on sharing and good citizenship.
Good CitizenshipA lesson on good citizenship including responsibility, and treating people with respect.
Living in a CommunityA lesson on living in a community and how you can be a productive citizen.
TransportationA lesson on various forms of transportation.
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES |
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CommunityEconomicsGeographyGovernmentHuman RightsUS HistoryWorld History |
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For more teaching categories, including science, language arts, and math, please see the InstructorWeb home page. |
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SOCIAL STUDIES LESSON PLANS WORKSHEETS TEACHING PRINTABLES TEACHER ACTIVITIES TOOLS PAGES FREE ELEMENTARY EDUCATION SKILLS THEMATIC UNIT CURRICULUM IDEAS RESOURCES
Lessons recommended for teaching kindergarten - first grade - second grade - third grade - fourth grade - fifth grade - sixth grade - seventh grade - eighth grade - preschool - special education - elementary education - 1st Grade - 2nd Grade - 3rd Grade - 4th Grade - 5th Grade - 6th Grade - 7th Grade - 8th grade
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