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Recommended Social Studies Resources

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Social studies includes history and geography and anthropology and folklife and genealogy and civics and political science and world faiths. It is the study of our world and how people and countries relate to each other. Learning about your block, about your neighborhood, about your city, about your heritage, is all social studies. If history only comes from books, even from exciting historical fiction, then your child will never understand that history and social studies are things that are alive and happening every day. Let your interests guide you to the cultures and period of history for study (you can never learn everything about all of them, so pick and choose), and let your child’s curiosity provoke questions that will result in research and field trips.

NYC is filled with historical sites well worth visiting. Search the census on the Place Matters website for the hidden historical treasures in your own neighborhood, or create your own walking tour in any of the five boroughs. Check the website resources for historical reenactments that turn history into living theater.

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See also:


Laurie's class Create your own Board Game is a course in social studies and research.
Read Laurie's article on Seven Things to do with Maps.

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General Social Studies Resources


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History Resources:

History is the study of the past. Until the 20th century, teaching history usually involved learning a great many dates (of kings and queens, famous battles, etc.). See Ten Tips for Teaching History for some ideas to make history more exciting. "Social history" is concerned with the doings of everyday people.

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For kids:

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For parents and educators:

Field trips ideas:

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History Games

American History websites updated


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World history websites:

Websites on ancient history for kids:

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Geography Resources:

Tip: You can get a lot of free information, including maps, from State Tourism Agencies and from the departments of tourism for other countries.

Read Laurie's article on Seven Things to do with Maps

See also Other Countries, Languages and Cultures and Armchair Travel.

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Geography Games and Quizzes

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Anthropology Resources

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Folklife Resources

Folklife is the everyday and intimate creativity that all of us share and pass on to the next generation:

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Genealogy Resources

Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their history. Parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, way back into the past. Dig into YOUR family - where did they come from? where are they now? What are their stories?

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Civics

Civics is the study of citizenship and government with particular attention given to the role of citizens, as opposed to external factors, in the operation and oversight of government.

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Political Science Resources

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World Faiths

See also Recommended Field Trip: Honoring All Faiths

Suggested Reading – ages 4 and up Suggested Reading – ages 9 and up Suggested Reading for Adults
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