Social Studies and Me!: Using Children's Books to Learn about Our World

Young children are naturally interested in their world. They are learning to understand who they are, who their family members are, and what it means to have friends. They are curious about their communities, who lives and works there, how things are made, and what they cost. They are beginning to ask questions about their environment and the greater world.
With Social Studies and Me! teachers can support children's curiosity by using storybooks to engage them in social studies and literacy learning and deepen their understanding of skills and concepts. Themes include: I Am a Person; Families, Friends, Communities; and The Big World.
Each storybook exploration includes:

• Social studies standards and learning objectives
• Ways to link the book to children's experiences
• Ways to foster standards-based discussion about the book
• Ideas for extending, observing, and assessing the learning
• Ways to connect with families

A few of the eighteen books featured in Social Studies and Me!:

• I'm Growing by Aliki
• Cleversticks by Bernard Ashley
• Sometimes I'm Bombaloo by Rachel Vail
• The Little Red Hen (Makes a Pizza) by Philemon Sturges
• Where Are You Going, Manyoni? by Catherine Stock

Stories are a creative and powerful introduction to social studies for children, and Social Studies and Me! brings learning to life in a whole new way!