It's time to take the "ugh" out of Social Studies. Students love learning about history when it is told as a story. They love connecting to the past, but fourth graders are not going to connect to history through a lecture or just reading informational text. Students need to connect to the topic, talk about it, read about it, and write about it. Connect to Visuals
Provide maps and images for students to relate to. Ask students to brainstorm what they see. This is a great way to start discussion. Here is the Native American Galleries of Florida website.
Use Maps Maps help students gather information in a fun, organized, visual way. When teaching Floria history, I start with a map of Florida depicting where the Native Americans lived, then add the travels of the explorers. Using the maps, my students are able to connect Juan Ponce de Leon to the Calusa and Pedro Menendez to the Timucua. This one map integrates the two units of study.
Informational Text
Integrate your Social Studies curriculum into your reading block. Once your students are connected to the topic, they will be able to visualize and connect to the text. Use comprehension questions, charts, and graphic organizers to hold students accountable.
Graphic Organizers and Posters
Graphic organizers are the best way for students to organize their thinking and integrate what they've learned. I like using graphic organizers as a formative assessment, but I also love using "posters" to give students artistic freedom to show what they've learned. Let's face it by fourth grade, they rarely get the chance to draw or color so they absolutely LOVE it when the opportunity arises.
Hopefully, some of these ideas can help bring life to your Florida Social Studies curriculum. Looking for more Florida Native Americans? CLICK HERE
