Kindergarteners’ (n=41) concept of peace, a foundational social studies concept, was investigated via pre- and post-assessments that first, asked them to physically demonstrate how they looked or felt when they were at peace, second, asked them to draw a scene showing peace, and third, to caption the drawing. In pre-assessments all but three children demonstrated aggression and drew aggressive stances accompanied by captions indicating aggression. After opportunities to read about, discuss, and explore the concept of peace over five weeks, post-assessment occurred. In the post-assessments none of the data indicated aggression. Categories coded showed peace described as enjoyable activities, pro-social behaviors, and quietness/calmness/privacy. The study suggests hypotheses for further research investigating the concept of peace among very young children and possible factors influencing their concept and implications for social studies curriculum.
Gene Barretta’s books Neo Leo: The ageless ideas of Leonardo da Vinci, Now & Ben: The modern inventions of Benjamin Franklin, and timeless Thomas: How Thomas Edison changed our lives give us a glimpse into the famous inventors’ lives and introduce us to their incredible inventions. Neo Leo immerses readers in Leonardo da Vinci’s world as an artist, inventor, engineer, and scientist. Leonardo da Vinci wrote and drew detailed pictures of innumerable inventions, but never had the chance to build many of them. Now & Ben chronicles the life of Benjamin Franklin who used his common sense and innovative thinking to design inventions that changed society and our culture. Timeless Thomas provides readers with the opportunity to examine Thomas Edison’s inventions and how they have changed over time. The following lessons were designed to introduce the young child to the world of inventors and challenge them to invent.
"All the stuff that happened before you were born is your own kind of Show Way." This Newberry Award winning book can be used for many different types of activities. In this lesson, Show Way is used to teach map symbols.
In the wordless picture book Home by Jeannie Baker, we watch baby Tracy grow as her family and neighbors work together to gradually turn a cold unfriendly city street into a beautiful friendly place to call home. In this lesson designed for ages 4-8, students explore change over time in the book Home and later in themselves by interviewing their parents and constructing a timeline book of their lives.
Everybody Works in many ways, indoors, outdoors, at home, at an office, by traveling from place to place, to earn income, or as a hobby. This book is a photographic essay looking at the many ways in which people work and sometimes use animals in work. The learning cycle lesson helps young children construct a deeper understanding of work as varied and an important part of each person’s life.
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