Social Studies Strands

By: Shane Tomashot

American Heritage

Aspects of the past that make us American and unique in the world.

Recognize factors that we hold in common with other peoples and cultures.

What makes us American? What traditions, experiences, and habits do

we have in common with other cultures?

American Heritage

American Heritage Activities

Using the historic document web site, create your own Declaration of Independence.

Create a time line of the Civil War from Manassas to Appomattox Court House.

Write a one to two page paper on how you would have used the Marshall Plan to help in East Berlin.

American Heritage Activities

Role Play: Students will act out roles of different participants in the Berlin Airlift.

Students will create a timeline of U.S. historic documents, beginning with the Declaration of Independence.

Create a web of the Nixon Presidency, talking about the who, when, where, and why of such events as his trip to China, Watergate, etc.

American Heritage Web Sites

America’s Historic Documents The Civil War The Marshall Plan The Everett Massacre Watergate

People in Societies

The U.S. and the world encompass many different racial, ethnic, and religious groups.

Gender and class provide people with different perspectives on issues

How can we appreciate the contributions of each other?

How can we work together for the common good?

People in Societies

People in Societies Activities

Choose an issue from the Supreme Court Web site. Write a one to two page paper describing your stance and your opponent’s stance on the issue.

Engage in a class discussion on gun control, censorship, and other issues.

Create a timeline, depicting the journey of African Americans through U.S. history.

People in Societies Activities

Hold a mock trial for the execution of Louis XVI. Use the eyewitness web site for research.

Hold a mock trial for the execution of a witch. Use the Salem witch trial site for research information.

Discuss the contribution of Jackie Robinson to Major League Baseball from the aspect of Civil Rights.

Write a one page paper describing the effects of the witch hunt on colonial society.

People in Societies Activities

Create a timeline of major Supreme Court cases that effected the presidency.

Discuss the importance of the Civil Rights movement. Write out the significance of such participants as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks.

Class discussion: what is the best way for different races and cultures to work together to improve the problem of violence in the streets, school, home, etc?

People in Societies Web Sites

Supreme Court cases and issues Eyewitness historical accounts African American Journey Salem Witch Trials Jackie Robinson/Civil Rights

World Interactions

The links people make around the world as they attempt to address common problems.

How do activities here create or reflect contacts with the rest of the world?

How do we respond to the challenges of acting in an independent world?

World Interactions

World Interactions Activities

Write a one page paper, describing both the advantages and disadvantages of globalization.

Write a mock letter to your congressman, addressing the problems you believe are prevalent in your neighborhood, school, or workplace.

Have a mock U.N. council meeting. Have students participate in a typical U.N. meeting format, and address the same issues as might be handled in a real meeting.

World Interactions Activities

Class Discussion: Interpret a number of political cartoons dealing with certain issues.

Write a one-page paper describing the effects of the Holocaust on today.

Create a timeline of the Cold War Group discussion: Using the Ask Asia web site,

describe what attributes we hold in common with Asians. Discuss what we do not. How do these effect our relationship?

World Interactions Activities

Create your own political cartoon about Bill Clinton.

Write a one-page paper contrasting the Warsaw Pact and NATO.

Class Discussion: How has NAFTA effected Mexico, the U.S., and Canada?

World Interactions Web Sites

Danziger Political Cartoons Cagle Political Cartoons Holocaust Cold War Asian Culture

Decision Making and Resources

Decisions individuals and societies make in addressing wants.

What are potential resources and where are they to be found?

What constraints exist when making decisions about our natural resources?

Decision Making and Resources

Decision Making and Resources Activities

Have students create their own budget for government spending.

Have students choose a stock and follow it in the newspaper.

Have students create a chart depicting their spending on particular items.

Write a one page paper describing the importance of crude oil, iron ore, and natural gas.

Decision Making and Resources Activities

Class discussion: Should OPEC be allowed to control the price of oil?

Write a one-page paper describing the contribution of reparation payments to WWII.

Class Discussion: Do we need a missile defense system? Do we care what other nations think?

Decision Making and Resources Activities

Use the agriculture web site to find 10 ways to care for crops.

Class discussion: Should we drill for oil in Alaska, even if it hurts wildlife?

Role play: Environmentalists vs. Bureaucrats

Decision Making and Resources Web Sites

Agriculture NRCS Environment Oil Spills Conservation

Democratic Processes

The principles of democracy and the extent to which the government reflects those principles.

What is the purpose of government? How should a democracy strive to

accomplish those ends?

Democratic Processes

Democratic Processes Activities

Write a two page essay, describing the differences between Washington’s inaugural and Bush’s inaugural address. Use the accompanying web site.

Explain the purpose of the Monroe Doctrine and Truman Doctrine in a one-page essay.

Class Discussion: Should the U.S. intervene in the affairs of other nations in an effort to spread democracy?

Democratic Processes Activities

Visit the House of Representatives and Senate Web Sites and identify your representative and senators.

Group Discussion: Discuss what Bill of Rights laws are violated today. Are all of these rights still up to date?

Democratic Processes Web Sites

Inaugural Addresses The Presidents House of Representatives The Constitution The Bill of Rights / Current Issues

Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities

Examining and engaging in those activities that are part of an adult’s public life.

How do we work together to accomplish common ends?

Why is one’s involvement in public affairs important in a democratic society?

Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities

Citizenship Activities

Class Discussion: Using the New Deal Web Site, discuss how democratic (or undemocratic) the New Deal policies were.

Create an outline of 8 New Deal initiatives and their importance.

Use the Senate Web Site to come up with 5 jobs that a senator must accomplish.

Write a one-page paper describing why voting rules differ with each state.

Citizenship Activities

Hold a mock election and vote. Class Discussion: Discuss the outcome of the G.W.

Bush / Al Gore election. Was it fair? Take a field trip to the local polls. Write the definitions of voting terms such as voter

apathy, poll, electoral vote, etc. Class Discussion: Why should everyone vote?

Does my one vote count?

Citizenship Web Sites

New Deal House of Representatives Voter Registration U.S. Civics The Senate