Social Studies — Kindergarten

Resources on the web

Introduction to the Grand Canyon

Students look at photographs of three canyons and then focus on the Grand Canyon, discussing how the Colorado River carved it into its present form. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Science and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Into the ocean

Students learn about the special adaptations of familiar ocean animals. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Immigrating to America

Students learn about what it was like for new immigrants to come through Ellis Island at the turn of the century. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–4 Social Studies)

Provided by: The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

How's the weather today?

Students examine maps, record temperatures, and draw pictures showing different weather conditions as an introduction to weather and temperature trends in different latitudes of the United States. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K and 2 Science and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Handy Map

The teacher draws an outline of his or her hands and begins mapping them using words the students suggest. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

The great migration

Students learn about the migration of African Americans to Harlem, beginning with the original migration of blacks to North America. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–3 Social Studies)

Provided by: The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Getting lost

Students practice their knowledge of the cardinal directions by describing the directions in their classroom. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Information Skills and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

El Niño: More Than Just Hot Air?

Students are introduced to the El Niño phenomenon by doing a brief experiment and looking at pictures of El Niño. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Science and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Big island pool: Igneous rocks and the anatomy of a volcano

Students will learn about the rocks that are formed when a volcano erupts: igneous rocks. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Science and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Beautiful Blue Nile

Students learn about the Blue Nile and compare it to a river in the United States. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic