Introduction to Hands-On Social Studies, Grade 2 1

• Program Introduction 2
• What Is Social Studies? 2
• The Goals of Social Studies 2
• The Inquiry Approach to Social Studies 2
• Hands-On Social Studies Concepts and Expectations 3
  • Overall Expectations 3
  • Concepts of Social Studies Thinking 3
  • Big Ideas 3
  • Specific Expectations 3
• Hands-On Social Studies Program Principles 3
• Program Implementation 4
  • Program Resources 4
  • Introduction to the Unit 4
• Lessons 5
• Accommodating Diverse Learners 6
• Classroom Environment 6
• Planning Units (Time Lines) 7
• Classroom Management 7
• Social Studies Skills: Guidelines for Teachers 7
  • Communication 7
  • Research 11

Hands-On Social Studies Assessment Plan 12

• The Hands-On Social Studies Assessment Plan 12
  • Assessment for Learning 13
  • Assessment as Learning 13
  • Assessment of Learning 14
• Performance Assessment 14
• Portfolios 15
• Summative Achievement Levels 15
• Important Note for Teachers 15
• References 15
• Social Studies Achievement Chart 16
• Assessment Blackline Masters 18

Strand A: Heritage and Identity Unit 2A: Changing Family and Community Traditions 29

• Unit Overview 30
• Curricular Expectations 31
• Concepts of Social Studies Thinking: Success Criteria 33
• Cross-Curricular Connections 34
• Books for Students 35
• Websites and Videos 38
• Introduction to the Unit 39
  • 1 Launching the Unit: What’s in a Name? 41
  • 2 Investigating Countries of Origin 49
  • 3 What Is Culture? 54
  • 4 Family Time Lines 58
  • 5 Family Diversity 66
  • 6 Family Traditions 71
  • 7 Changing Times 75
  • 8 Community Diversity 80
  • 9 Changes in My Community 84
  • 10 Community Traditions and Celebrations 91
  • 11 Celebrations Over Time 95
  • 12 Culminating Activity: A Class Celebration 107
• References for Teachers 115

Strand B: People and Environments Unit 2B: Global Communities 117

• Unit Overview 118
• Curricular Expectations 119
• Concepts of Social Studies Thinking: Success Criteria 121
• Cross-Curricular Connections 122
• Books for Students 123
• Websites and Videos 125
• Introduction to the Unit 126
  • 1 Launching the Unit: Our World 129
  • 2 Getting Around the World with Atlases, Maps, and Globes 136
  • 3 Exploring Cold and Hot Regions of the World 143
  • 4 Living in Different Climates 152
  • 5 Meeting Our Needs: Clothing 157
  • 6 Meeting Our Needs: Shelter 160
  • 7 Meeting Our Needs: Food 164
  • 8 Meeting Our Needs: Water 167
  • 9 Natural Environments and Ways of Life 173
  • 10 Plants and Animals Around the World 180
  • 11 Daily Life Around the World 190
  • 12 Inquiry Through Interview 195
  • 13 Culminating Activity: Our World’s Fair 200
• References for Teachers 209

Appendix: Image Banks 211

About the Contributors 216