Introducing students to various areas of social studies such as history, current events, communities, civic education, and geography to name a few, is very important. Although students may question the importance of learning about the past, learning about their world and their country gives them perspective about other groups, cultures, places, and other areas relevant to the world around them. Engage students in learning about history and how the world as they know it came to be. Bringing history to life with storyboards and activities can help answer those questions, and using Storyboard That can harness student passions in an engaging way. These resources are here to help!
Geography
Example from the Midwest region of the U.S.
- Arizona State Guide
- California State Guide
- Canadian Province Project
- Colorado State Guide
- Florida State Guide
- Geography of Canada
- Georgia State Guide
- Illinois State Guide
- Indiana State Guide
- Iowa State Guide
- Landforms and Bodies of Water
- Massachusetts State Guide
- Nevada State Guide
- New York State Guide
- Oregon State Guide
- Pennsylvania State Guide
- State Projects
- Tennessee State Guide
- Texas State Guide
- US Regions: Midwest
- US Regions: Northeast
- US Regions: Southeast
- US Regions: Southwest
- US Regions: West
- Utah State Guide
- Vermont State Guide
- Virginia State Guide
- Washington State Guide
- World Geography Projects
Civics
Example from How to Become President
- Bill of Rights
- Canadian Government
- Executive Branch
- How to Become President
- Introduction to Democratic Principles
- Introduction to Government
- Judicial Branch
- Legislative Branch
- Political Parties
- US Elections
- Voting Rights
US History
Example from the Declaration of Independence
- 13 Colonies
- 1850s America
- Age of Exploration in America
- American Revolution
- Atlantic Slave Trade
- Civil Rights Movement
- Cold War: 1945-1962
- Common Sense
- Constitutional Convention
- COVID 19 Pandemic
- Declaration of Independence
- Election of 1800: Jefferson vs. Adams
- Emancipation Proclamation
- Events Leading Up to the American Revolution
- Federalism
- French and Indian War
- Great Depression
- History of the US Civil War
- Indigenous Peoples
- Jacksonian Democracy
- Japanese American Incarceration in WWII
- Massachusetts Bay Colony Teacher Guide
- Missouri Compromise of 1820
- New Deal
- Pilgrims and Plymouth Colony
- Presidency of Abraham Lincoln
- Presidency of Harry Truman
- Presidency of Richard Nixon
- Presidency of Ronald Reagan
- Reconstruction Era
- Revolutionary War
- Tinker vs. Des Moines
- Transcontinental Railroad
- U.S. Territorial Expansion 1783-1959
- Voting Rights
- War of 1812
- World War II: (1939-1941)
- World War II: (1942-1945)
- World War II: An Introduction
World History
Introduction to World War 2
- Ancient China
- Ancient Civilizations
- Ancient Egypt
- Ancient Greece
- Ancient India
- Ancient Mesopotamia
- Ancient Rome
- Buddhism
- Canadian History
- Canadian History 1784-1896
- Christianity
- Communism and the Russian Revolution
- COVID 19 Pandemic
- Early Humans
- French Revolution
- Geography of Canada
- Hinduism
- History of Imperialism
- History of the Holocaust
- Indigenous Peoples
- Industrial Revolution
- Islam
- Judaism
- Primary and Secondary Sources
- Sikhism
- Vietnam War
- World Geography Projects
- World War I (1914-1918)
- World War II: (1939-1941)
- World War II: (1942-1945)
- World War II: An Introduction
Other Teaching and Project Ideas for Social Studies Classes
- Social Justice Content
- Timeline Posters
- How to Make a Digital Timeline
- 5 Ws of Historical Events
- Teaching World Religions
- Geography and its impact
- Geography Infographics
- Development of Ancient Cultures
- Biography Posters
- Travel Posters
- PSA Infographic
- Using Infographics in the Classroom
- Political Cartoons & Propaganda
- Compare and Contrast with T-Charts
- Developing Critical Thinking Skills
- Debate
- Integrating students love of minecraft into history class
- Project Based Learning
- Teaching Fact vs. Opinion
- Effectiveness of Visual Vocabulary Storyboards
- Social and Emotional Learning Activities
- Timeline Graphic Organizer
Above there are all kinds of social studies lessons, education articles and history project ideas behind each topic. These lesson plans are completely customizable. Each unit contains between 3 and 12 different standards-aligned lessons on a given topic that help bring history and social studies to life and to keep students informed with the knowledge they need for a successful school year. While these free lessons are designed to be an opportunity for teachers to copy into their account, edit and adapt for the needs of their students, these tools can also be used "as is". They are a complete lesson plan that include research information and resources for teachers, instructions for students, templates, finished examples to inspire students, and, often, a rubric to assist with grading. We know how busy classroom teachers are. Storyboard That has done the research and the prep work to help teachers save time so that they can put their energies towards what is most important: their social studies instruction and their students.
A meaningful social studies curriculum that is equitable, just, has diversity, examines history from all perspectives, and amplifies voices that have historically been silenced is more important than ever in the social studies classroom. We believe that social studies content and all subjects should be taught in a way that is culturally responsive and teaches young people multiple perspectives. At Storyboard That we believe that all children should see themselves represented and we strive to create content to help teachers foster an inclusive learning environment, and a community where all educators and every student belongs.
Major Branches of Social Studies
Social studies, also referred to as social sciences, is how people interact with one another and the study of human society. In the elementary grades, the curriculum focuses more on community, social emotional learning, citizens, geography, and history. However, as students advance their education, they will learn even more about the different social studies subjects. Below is a list and brief description of some of the social studies subjects that students will come across during the course of their education:
- Anthropology: The study of human societies, culture, and how they have evolved.
- Archaeology: The study of the history of humans through artifacts and physical remains.
- Civics: The study of the rights and responsibilities of humans in a society.
- Economics: The study of production, resources, goods, and consumption.
- Geography: The study of the physical features of the earth, and how where people live effects their life, resources, use of land, and industry.
- Government: The study of how how a community or society runs, controlled, and regulated.
- Law: The study of the system of rules, procedures, and behaviors that a society must follow, and the actions that are taken when citizens are penalized.
- Psychology: The study of behavior and the mind.
- Sociology: The study of human social relationships such as religion, culture, communication, and crime.
Frequently Asked Questions about Storyboarding for Social Studies
How to Teach Students Social Studies Lessons using Storyboard That
Using storyboards to teach social studies is an effective way for students to demonstrate their understanding of a myriad of abstract concepts and theories, historical events and places and people that are unfamiliar to them.
Engage students with a variety of historical figure project ideas such as biography posters and biography graphic organizer worksheets.
Students can explore different cultures and places around the world using storyboards as well as customizable map posters, map worksheets and Geography Infographics.
Teach students using dynamic visual aids such as our social studies graphic organizer worksheets.
Help students retain new concepts and terms with social studies vocabulary worksheets and word walls.
Students will learn to visualize how important events unfold and connect with timeline worksheets and timeline posters.
Teach students with our dozens of storyboard templates for social studies that include cause and effect charts, social pyramids, timelines, compare and contrast t-charts, 5 Ws spider maps, GRAPES acronym charts, and a variety of other spider maps, charts, grids and graphic organizers.
How to Teach Students to Love Social Studies with Storyboard That
Storyboard That lessons, activities and templates focus on fostering students' understanding of social studies concepts, critical thinking and problem solving skills all while tapping into their creativity and imagination. History can be a very abstract subject for students that is often dry and boring. With Storyboard That, students are able to engage with the material and with each other in a new and exciting way! Give students voice and choice by including storyboarding into your social studies lesson plans!
