My Top Interdisciplinary Social Studies Lesson Plans

When I started thinking about where I could find some of the best ideas for teaching elementary social studies topics, the answer was simple; I asked some great teachers and their students. In this article I'm going to share some of my favorite ideas, and the best that these elementary school experts shared.

Many of these suggestions involve interdisciplinary activities. Social studies topics are naturally dependent upon other disciplines, which is why interdisciplinary activities are generally effective, especially when students don’t realize that they’re expanding their knowledge of social studies concepts. Two of my favorite activities work with physical education to build mind, body and spirit.

1. Walk Across Texas is a program in which students and their families commit to doing certain amounts of exercise, each type given a mileage equivalent, with the goal of doing enough work to equal a walk across Texas. Participants can walk, run, garden or participate in a large variety of activities collecting mileage as they go. The competition can be invigorating as families get involved, and  classes compete with each other. Teachers can take the daily collected mileage and follow through a state map, studying the towns that they pass, learning about the geography as students traverse the highways throughout the state. Students can elect team leaders and discuss the local news going on in the communities that they pass through. Walk Across Texas is an eight week program which can be adapted for other states and regions.

2. Jump Rope for Heart is a program in which students jump rope and collect donations to benefit the American Heart Association. Here, students learn the value of becoming good citizens and giving back to their community. Teachers can have students add up the amount of money they raised, and study the economics of running a charitable organization by exploring with students what can be done with the earnings of their class and their school. The classes can discuss other ways that children can contribute to society. 

3. Linda Dyke of Shady Grove Elementary in Burnet, Texas exudes enthusiasm about teaching. Linda knows a quick way to her children's hearts and brains; through their imagination and love of travel. Linda takes full advantage of the many free resources available through both the Chamber of Commerce and the Texas Park System, providing her students with up to date references and maps which expand their knowledge of their Texas locale. Each student has use of a Texas Travel Guide and each receives their own map that they can write on and use to plan trips. The travel literature provides details about communities and allows them to explore places they've been and would like to go. Students write about the city of their choice and ask things such as “Who is the mayor?" without even knowing that they're satisfying a TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills requirement). This activity can be adapted to teachers living in any place.

4. Linda also enjoys teaching students about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. She decorates her room with their silhouettes as they discuss their stories. Next, she makes silhouettes of her students and has them interview a partner and write each others' biographies. The biographies are displayed (with the silhouettes) for all the school to view. This activity can be used to learn about any president or leader, and can lead to discussions about government.

5. Janna Herzer of Salado Intermediate School in Salado, Texas enjoys reading “postcards” from around the world while her students find the countries on the map. This can be a way for students to start learning about the world around them. With world events, like the FIFA World Cup, happening on a regular basis students might want to be able to visualize where a country, like Ivory Coast, is located. 

6. Life skills teacher Melinda Stolson of Costa Mesa, California finds her inspiration for teaching social studies in world travel. She can utilize her life experience to make the world outside of Southern California real to her students. This can be a fun way for students to discuss the Duomo in Florence, or any other part of history in a relaxed, interesting manner.

7. Students also have many opinions about what makes a great social studies lesson. Third grader Ben Sunshine and fifth grader Nathaniel Sunshine have favorite social studies topics. Ben said that he likes to study the presidents (so he can prepare for his eventual run at the job.) He loves the book, “So You Want to Be President" by Judith St. George and David Small. This can lead to discussions about the recent office holders and other follow up activities. Nathaniel also enjoys studying about former presidents and wars. Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War are two of his favorite topics.

6. Students also enjoy social studies activities in which they become a historical character. This year, Nathaniel was inspired by an activity in which his class designed costumes out of newspapers in order to dress as famous people in history. Nathaniel created a costume to represent Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce.

By finding out what their students are interested in, teachers and parents can help students learn important curriculum without difficulty. Students might not even be aware of all the important information they can pick up while having fun.