Archive for the ‘social sciences’ category

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Bill of Rights Games!

May 17th, 2012

Hi!  It’s Thursday, May 17, 2012 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
Bill of Rights Institute: Games

Age Range:  11 and up (approximately, with parental supervision)

This website provides free, interactive games to boost students’ knowledge of their constitutional rights and America’s founding principles. When you get to the site you’ll see a menu of three games that includes:

*Life Without the Bill of Rights – Click on images in an illustration to find out how life would change without the First, Third, and Fourth Amendments.

*Madison’s Notes are Missing - Travel back in time to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and ask the Founders for their thoughts on the Executive Branch of government, how members of Congress should be elected, the basis for taxation and representation, slavery, and find out why some refused to sign the Constitution.  Listen to audio dramatizations as they explain their positions.

*Constitution Duel Quiz - Find out how much you know about the Constitution, Bill of Rights, landmark Supreme Court Cases, and historic Americans!  (Tip: Explore the resources at this site before you take the quiz!)

When you are through playing the games, explore the rest of the site. You’ll find free e- lessons to help educate young people about the words and ideas of America’s Founders, the liberties guaranteed in the Founding documents, and how those principles continue to affect and shape a free society.

 

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History in the Movies!

May 10th, 2012

Hi!  It’s Thursday, May 10, 2012 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
History in the Movies

Age Range: 10 and up (parents should preview and supervise)

Do you supplement history studies by watching historical films like epics, biopics, period pieces, and true-life stories? Films set in the past can help students visualize a particular era or period in time – but are they historically accurate? At this website, university history professor, Cathy Schultz, Ph.D., comments on the accuracy of over 50 historical films.

This site is an archive of Ms. Schultz’s syndicated newspaper column in which she explains if history really happened the way it is depicted in films. It’s a terrific resource that can enhance the use of films to further learning.  

When you get to the site you’ll see an introduction and some featured news items and headlines. Use the vertical menu “Film List” on the left side of the page to locate a film of interest. NOTE: The movies include a variety ratings from PG through R. Some of the film titles include:

  • 300
  • The Alamo
  • The Aviator
  • Cinderella Man
  • DaVinci Code
  • Dreamgirls
  • Elizabeth: the Golden Age
  • Flags of our Fathers
  • The King’s Speech
  • Last Samurai
  • The Men Who Stare at Goats
  • National Treasure
  • Oliver Twist
  • Pride and Prejudice
  • Pirates of the Caribbean 2
  • Walk the Line
  • We Are Marshall

Click on any film title and a new page opens to the article that exposes the truth and the fiction depicted in the movie.

Don’t miss “Resources for teaching with historical films” that is directly above the “Film List” on the menu. You’ll find links to more sites that list and discuss historical films. In fact, one of the links leads to content by Paul Halsall of the University of North Florida who provides questions to ask as you watch and review a film including:

  • What seems to be accurate in the film? What sources are you using to assess accuracy?
  • What liberties does the film take with the past? Why?
  • What, if any, modern point is the film trying make?

By the way, ClickScholar Cie recommended “HistoryAndMovies.com” an ad-supported entertainment and reference website that provides a free directory of historical movies indexed according to “Time Periods” including:

  • Ancient Egypt
  • Ancient Greece
  • Ancient Rome
  • Middle Ages
  • Viking Age
  • British Empire/Europe
  • American History

Just click on a time period and a new page opens with a menu of movie titles. Each listing includes information about the film along with a video clip or trailer. Movies on this list are rated from G to R.

Again, this is a helpful resource for finding movies to supplement history studies. Parents, as always, should preview the site and supervise Internet access.

 

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Free Current Events Videos & Study Materials

May 3rd, 2012

Hi!  It’s Thursday, May 3, 2012 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
CNN: Student News

Age Range: 11-18 (Middle School and High School, with parental supervision)

A Maryland ClickScholar suggested this website, sponsored by CNN, that provides free, daily, 10-minute current events newscasts along with materials such as downloadable maps and discussion questions to help students develop critical thinking skills and better understand the stories covered in the news.

When you get to the site you’ll see the day’s featured news video – just click to play.  You’ll also see an icon menu that includes:

*What is CNN Student News? – Get a full description of this service along with suggestions on how to optimize its use.

*Shows & Transcripts – Access the archive of previous shows including the written transcripts of the shows.

*Daily Discussion & News Quiz – Find questions to spark discussion about the daily news stories or test your knowledge of the news.

You can also sign up to receive the free “Daily Education Alert” by email with information on the major stories covered that day. You’ll also find downloadable maps (pdf) and links to other educational resources offered by CNN.

IMPORTANT:  On the Student News page there are ads for other CNN shows and a menu with links to news stories on politics, entertainment, health, money, sports, travel, etc., that are NOT part of the “CNN Student News.”  Therefore, as always, parents must preview and supervise Internet access.

 

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Social Studies – Africa!

April 26th, 2012

Hi!  It’s Thursday, April 26, 2012 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History: African Voices

Age Range: 9 and up (approximately, with parental supervision)

The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History sponsors this website as a companion to a permanent exhibit on the influence of Africa’s countries and people on global history and culture. In this multi-media virtual exhibit you can explore Africa’s history and culture though art objects and textiles and enjoy video and sound clips that include interviews, folk tales, songs, and oral epics that are part of Africa’s rich cultural heritage.

When you get to the  site you’ll see a scrolling menu on the right side of your screen that includes:

*History – Follow an interactive timeline that explores Africa’s history from ancient to modern times including the Nile Valley, Slave Trade, Colonialism, South Africa, and the continent’s tragedies and triumphs.

*Themes – Explore Africa’s diversity, its environment, and people through museum collections that tell evocative stories. Watch and hear African’s comment on their history and culture including literature, proverbs, and music. Themes include:

  • Wealth in Africa
  • Market Crossroads
  • Working In Africa
  • Living in Africa
  • Kongo Crossroads
  • Global Africa

You’ll also find a photo-exhibit that explores African religions and carvings of various deities. Don’t miss the “Learning Center” where you’ll find links to further learning materials about Africa on the Web. 

 

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Free Middle Ages Interactives!

April 19th, 2012

Hi!  It’s Thursday, April 19, 2012 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
Learner.org: Middle Ages
 
Age Range: 14-18 (Grades 9-12)

This multi-media, interactive presentation on the Middle Ages was developed for High School students. It’s designed in such a way, that you can briefly touch on the topics or explore them in-depth.

When you get to the site you’ll see a welcome message. Click “Enter” and a new page opens with a menu that includes:

*Feudal Life - Learn about the feudal system, nobility, serfs, and The Magna Carta.

*Religion – Explore Catholic cathedrals including Amiens and Notre Dame, learn about monastic life and pilgrimages.

*Homes – Take a virtual tour of a medieval village and compare the living quarters of noblemen and peasants.

*Clothing – Find out what kind of clothing was worn by peasants and nobles. Get information on the textiles of the medieval period.

*Health – Get information on hygiene, disease (including the Black Death), and medieval medicine and remedies.

*Arts & Entertainment – Find out how art and music developed from religious liturgy. View some hunting-themed tapestries.

*Town Life – Read about trade and the marketplace in medieval Europe, as well as town governments.

In each section you’ll find links to further learning resources as well.

 

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Learn with Leonardo da Vinci!

April 12th, 2012

Hi!  It’s Thursday, April 12, 2012 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
Museum of Science: Exploring Leonardo

Age Range: 9-14 (approximately, and easily adapted to younger and older students with parental supervision)

The Museum of Science in Boston offers this online, interactive exhibit that explores the life, work, and inventions of Leonardo da Vinci.

When you get to the site you’ll see a brief introduction and a menu that includes:

*Inventor’s Workshop – Discover Leonardo’s futuristic inventions and design your own! Test your knowledge of machines with “Gadget Anatomy”.

*Leonardo’s Perspective – Learn Leonardo’s artistic techniques for representing the 3D world on 2D surfaces. Play around with linear perspective, size and distance, and investigate aerial perspective as well.

*Leonardo: Right to Left – Explore Leonardo’s curious habit of writing in reverse. Try “mirror writing” yourself!

*What, Where, When? – Read a brief biography of Leonardo da Vinci by clicking on a map of Italy to see what he did in the cities of Milan, Florence, and Rome.

Throughout the exhibit you’ll find a total of 5 lesson plans for hands-on classroom activities to extend learning. They can be tweaked for the homeschool environment or used as a homeschool support group activity.

 

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