Hands-on activities are the key to making social studies a fun and memorable experience for children. I can still vividly recall building a Pyramid during my Egyptian unit in 7th grade and wearing a toga during the Greek unit later that year. Make your social studies class memorable with hands-on History Pockets from Evan-Moor!
History Pockets
History Pockets by Evan-Moor is a great hands-on addition to social studies classes. These social study units include interactive and engaging activities that are easy to assemble and include colorful activities.
For example: History Pockets: Ancient Civilizations contains introductory units for Ancient Greece, Rome, China, Egypt, and more! Each unit includes reading, activities, coloring, and more that will bring the ancient world to life. At the end of each unit of each title, students can display their projects in the history pocket folder. Some of the fun activities include:
- Pop-up books
- Cut-out puppets
- Paper models of ancient monuments
- Additional hands-on projects that enhance each period study
Here is a full list of History Pockets available for grades 1–3.
History Pockets: Life in Plymouth Colony
History Pockets: Native Americans
History Pockets: Ancient Civilizations
Here is a full list of History Pockets available for grades 4–6.
History Pockets: Ancient Egypt
History Pockets: Ancient Greece
History Pockets: Explorers of North America
History Pockets: Colonial America
History Pockets: The American Civil War
History Pockets: The American Revolution
History Pockets provides an in-depth study into every aspect of historical and ancient life. Every pocket book includes seven to nine pockets (about 20 pages each) that include a unit introduction and topics such as:
- Geography
- Religion
- Architecture
- Daily life
- Important individuals
This example is from History Pockets Ancient Rome and showcases the first of eight pockets, an introduction to Ancient Rome.
Geography
Daily Geography Practice books provide short 15 to 20 minutes geography activities that help children learn important map skills. Map lessons introduce basic geography skills and vocabulary terms with fun hands-on projects. Daily Geography Practice is aligned to National Geography Standards and the six essential elements of geography:
- The world in spatial terms
- Places and regions
- Physical systems
- Human systems
- Environment and society
- Uses of geography
The Skill Sharpeners activity books are available for grades PreK–6 and cover many different subject areas across the curriculum. Skill Sharpeners: Geography for grades PreK–6 engages students in the world around them by providing different geographical activities and lessons. Students learn:
- Map skills
- Regions
- Continents
- Oceans
- Habitats and biomes
The colorful and fun activities included in Skill Sharpeners provide children with an in-depth understanding of geography.
Interactive Social Study Activities
Animating your lessons as much as possible with activities is a great way to get children excited about history. Whether it’s costumes, props, or art projects, finding a way to entertain your students with the material will benefit their involvement. Here are some fun ideas and projects for your classroom:
- Dress up: When my class went over Ancient Greece and Rome, we were required to make a toga out of bedsheets and wear it to class each day. It was a lot of fun for everyone, and added an interactive element to our unit. Add a costume project to your class to liven up the unit!
- Roleplay: In addition to togas, my teacher would often act out parts of history or include elements of the unit in our classroom. For example: Group students together under different Greek gods when learning about mythology or do a field-day mini Olympics when teaching the Olympics of Ancient Greece.
- Interactive projects: Assign projects that are fun to complete, like building a model monument from the historical period you’re studying. It could be a pyramid, a temple, the liberty bell, anything!
- Clothesline timeline: Hang a clothesline across the classroom and have students work together to accurately place historic events, whether cumulative or just from your current unit. Clip a picture or label to the clothesline with the dates.
- Wax museum: Have students pick a historic figure they’d like to do a report on. Instead of a traditional report, have them dress up in costume, with any props they’d like, and pose as a “wax museum.” Invite students, teachers, and parents to tour the museum, where your students will provide facts and information about their historic figure.
- Assign a curiosity project: Tap into children’s curiosity with an historical curiosity project. Check out this blog post that describes a form of student-led and inquiry-based learning called a “Curiosity Project.” Click here to read the blog and learn how to engage your child in researching what he or she is interested in.
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Christine Wooler has experience working with children as a youth soccer coach and summer camp counselor. She is currently studying English Literature and journalism in college. She enjoys exploring educational topics that help students have fun while learning.