momma2three Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 I was wondering if anyone has a recommendation for a decent spine for a kindergarten social studies. By social studies I mean geography, world cultures/religions (we are secular personally), and a little bit of history. I've been finding lots of age appropriate books about teaching science to 4-5 year olds, but very little about these subjects. The main spine I'm using is Science is Simple, and I'm supplementing that with a few other experiment books (such as Mudpies to Magnets). I can find nice picture books about historical figures and different cultures and holidays, but I would like something that provides a bit more structure, and offers ideas for activities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theYoungerMrsWarde Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 http://www.worldbook.com/typical-course-of-study-kindergarten-curriculum-guide.html * Meanings of holidays, traditions, and customs * Understanding and appreciating other cultures * Individual's role in family, home, school, and community * Relationship of the individual to the group * Work and jobs * Safety rules and symbols * Basic human needs * Self-respect and self-awareness * Awareness of others * Location of home and school * Diagram of home and school I am using this as a guide with no actual curriculum, so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annlaura Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 I have the Usborne Peoples of the World. I was just looking at it again tonight, actually, and trying to decide if we'll use it right away or hold off a bit. There is also a DK book, Children Just Like Me. I don't own it, but have looked through it, and it might be a nice way to introduce the subject. I also have a book of holidays celebrated around the world. It has the story of each holiday and an accompanying activity. We will add read alouds as we touch on the different cultures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanceXToo Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 n/m posted to wrong thread, sorry!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelia Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know is a good source. They don't have a lot of activities, but it might make a good spine and I think there are a few threads that list the Core Knowledge sequence with a schedule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracyR Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Expedition Earth...... Lots of activities, art projects and food recipes too :>) I've followed the blog of the lady that created it and it looks great! I plan on getting it this week for my Ker :>) http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/world-geography Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momma2three Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 Thanks everyone! These look like great ideas. I did find one older book called "Kids Around the World" that has an activity every day about a different culture or place. Starting now, though, it's all about going to school and asking questions comparing your classroom to other classrooms around the world, so I don't know how much that's going to resonate with her. These ideas all seem like a great place to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondeviolin Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 (edited) We are doing FIAR. Also, Beginning Geography from Evan Moor is good. We also have Disney's Small World Library that my kids like a ton...and 80 Tales Around the World. Edited August 30, 2011 by blondeviolin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 For K, we got a ton of Social Studies out of FIAR, especially lots of geography. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LillyMama Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 We're actually using some SOTW and the Core Knowledge (everything your K'er needs to know.) We just do the readings and the projects from SOTW and got the student activity book from Core Knowledge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepyl Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know is a good source. They don't have a lot of activities, but it might make a good spine and I think there are a few threads that list the Core Knowledge sequence with a schedule. We did this, I went to the library and pulled books from the beginning reader section for him to read to me. We managed to fill nearly 3 months with the geography. We did an introduction to maps and globes over a couple of weeks, a week on each continent, and a week on the oceans, and then a week of review and a mini-quiz. I was able to find two or three books to go with each section of the book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitterpatter Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 I just discovered this book that I'm really excited about. (I've been searching for something decent and age-appropriate for awhile.) I'm not really into the first half of it, but I think the second half will be perfect for my DD. We're going to start as soon as I can get some of the recommended books rounded up. Nonfiction Literacy-Building Booklets & Activities Grades K–1 $21.99 You can view the entire contents at the link above. The TOC is descriptive enough that you don't have to scroll through the entire book to get a good idea of what's included. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kubiac Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 (edited) A "human geography" approach could include Peter Spier's People (so lovely!), DK-Unicef's Children Just Like Me, Peter Menzel's Material World: A Global Family Portrait and Hungry Planet: What the World Eats, and James Mollison's Where Children Sleep. There's an out-of-print (but inexpensive!) Little Golden Book called First Golden Geography by Jane Werner Watson that I quite like. What about Audio Memory's Geography Songs? And for the low, low price of at least $140, you can order Tim Seldin's out-of-print Geography and History for the Young Child for further guidance. :lol: And I'll bet that National Geographic has some ideas somewhere? Maybe browse their site and/or online store? Oooh, and check out Koa Koala Goes Around the World, which I think is just delightful. Edited January 5, 2012 by kubiac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitterpatter Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Thanks for posting this. I'm bookmarking it...maybe for next year. :001_smile: Knowledge Quest has a great unit study called Around the World they have a free sample download. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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