Social Sciences:
Where Did We Come From & Where Are We Going?

Archaeology, history, geography, & cultural anthropology

 

Over the years human beings have discovered one simple fact:  it's very difficult to understand the consequences that may come from the choices you make right now...if you don't know anything about history.  Whether you are learning about the history of your country, of civilization, the human species -- or just your own family -- understanding the past can help you understand what's going on right now with much more clarity.

But making good choices also requires us to know what our options are!  How will you know what job to train for, what laws to vote for, or what part of the country to live in if you know nothing about the world around you?

The social sciences, or "social studies" as they are sometimes called, is aimed at teaching us just these things.  Find out about your community, your Constitution, and your place on planet Earth -- so you can take good care of yourself as an adult, and help take good care of the Earth.

 

Click here for worksheets!

 

Printable Worksheets & Coloring Pages

 

American Symbols

 

The City I Live In

 

Coloring Pages -- U.S. History & Geography

This site features hundreds of beautiful coloring sheets with pictures of American presidents, government symbols, important women in U.S. history, and even geography.   (Note that many images do not have name headings explaining who they depict.  But if you click on the image the name will show up as part of the url in the web address field.)

 

Countries of Africa Word Search

 

Geography Crossword Puzzle

 

48 Contiguous States worksheet

 

Map Skills 2

 

Map Skills

 

State Capitals Word Search - three puzzles

 

States, Capitals, and Abbreviations - 3 review sheets

 

U.S. Rivers - word search puzzle

 

What State Am I? - #1

series of state worksheets

What State Am I? - #2

 

 

 

 

 

Just For Educators
 

From the American Anthropological Association.  Great links to useful information for teachers and home school families.  Includes such areas as African-American Studies, Latin American Studies, Primate Research, Human Evolution, Ancient History, Geology and more.

 

History isn't always pretty.  For help teaching your students about some of the uglier moments in human history, check out these top notch lesson plans and resources.   Facing Ourselves is a premier educational organization that aims to teach young people about the evils of prejudice, so that tomorrows leaders and citizens can make better choices.

 

 

 

Useful Links:

 

NEW

U.S. Mint for Kids 

This is where the U.S. government creates new coins and paper bills. Features games, cartoons, lesson plans.  Taken an animated Journey through the Time Machine to learn about U.S. history and the coins that commemorate it!

 

The White House for Kids

Learn about life in the White House, presidential pets, White House traditions, and more.  Features biographies and coloring pages about the U.S. Presidents as well as lesson plan information for teachers.

 

Social Studies for Kids  

This is a big, juicy site full of all kinds of information for kids!  Whether you're studying  geography, economics, cultures, ancient civilizations, or more than half a dozen other social studies topics, chances are... this site will have what you need.

 

Becoming Human 

This website offers an online macromedia interactive documentary about the origins of humankind.  Also features related news stories an interactive learning center and lesson plans.

 

The Legacy of Louis Leakey

The discoveries of Mary and Louis Leakey provide the classic introduction to the study of archaeology.  And this page from NPR, National Public Radio, features an excellent overview of their work and that of their famous son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter.   The fascinating text is also available in audio format, and is supplemented by additional audio clips of interviews with the Leakeys.  Best of all, it's all free and online!

 

The Leakey Foundation

In 1959 archaeologist Mary Leakey found the fossilized remains of  Zinjanthropus (now called Australopithecus boisei),  giving credit to the theory that humankind had originated in Africa.  Mary and Louis Leakey, and son Richard, went on to become very famous archaeologists whose discoveries rocked the foundations of anthropology.  The Leakey Foundation continues their legacy by providing news, information, grants, and other resources.

Surf this site to find out about the latest news and discoveries in archaeology and physical anthropology and to view a timeline of important archaeological discoveries.  Other resources available on the site include biographies of the Leakeys, and  audio presentations from Mary Leakey, Margaret Mead, and other important figures in anthropology.  

Lots of great links lead to a wealth of educational material on related topics.
 

 

Education Place

Features online mini biographies, fun eWord Games to test your social studies vocabulary, interactive maps, and more.   Sponsored by Houghton Mifflin.

 

Play GeoNet

Test your knowledge of geography (or fill in gaps in your knowledge) the fun way!  Animated and interactive.
 

 

OLD FAVORITES

Ancient Egypt

Put together by Kid Info, this impressive site features a comprehensive listing of resources about ancient Egypt, including art, architecture, mummies, games, daily life and more. 

 Even More About Egypt

 

America's Story

Meet amazing Americans, jump back in time, explore the states,  and explore America's pastimes and entertainment.  Presented by the Library of Congress, this site has a wealth of information presented in concise snippets with additional stories and links to fill out the idea.  Makes it easier to grasp and remember the idea.  Today In History

 

The Biographical Dictionary

Here's the place to look up that famous person you've always wondered about -- or to find out who the movers and shakers were in a particular year or profession.  Great for school reports!

 

CIA World Fact Book

Flags of the world.  World History fact book. Maps.

 

Countries of The World

A great reference page, with links to information about a vast variety of countries.  Includes such information as country profiles, flags of different nations, holidays, maps, famous landmarks, plus virtual field trips.

 

History & Culture with National Geographic

Online resources from the name that's been teaching us about the world for over 100 years.  Indexes of people, cultures, and history.  Cultural and historical photos and more.  Don't miss Maps & Geography, their extra fun section for kids, plus homework help, parents guide, and teachers pages.

 

The History Net

Useful links and plenty of online information (mixed in with magazine promotions).

 

HyperHistory Online

over 2,000 files covering 3,000 years of world history.  Includes important people, events, and maps.

 

Discovering Archaeology

Discover new insights into the history of life on Earth -- including the latest findings about the development of human kind.

Maps & Map Skills

A very helpful site for the study of Geography and map skills. 

 

Native Americans

 

Social Studies School Service

Much more exciting than the title indicates! A wealth of texts, videos, and maps are available for online purchase. Also contains links to sites with information about ancient history, art history, and the history of various ethnic, racial, and gender groupings.

 

The Smithsonian Institution

The home page of the National Museum of
Natural History
-- dedicated to understanding the natural world and our place in it.  Be sure to surf their What's New page for great listings to articles and websites with information on history, geology, nature, and more.  Truly top notch.

Useless Facts

Weird and random facts culled from the pages of history.  A fun way to whet your curiosity about different times and cultures.

World History

A useful listing of sites about world history -- everything from the Ice Age to the Renaissance to the modern history of such nations as the U.S., China, England, Japan, South Africa, and more.  Includes information on the plague, the wonders of the world, and various historical leaders.

From Suite101.Com:

History Links

And More History Links

 

 

E-Texts

 

Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

" Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal..."  Read more

Declaration of Independence

"We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness..." Read more

 

 

 

E.K. Pages With Related Information...

 

Holiday Fun & Learning -- Social Studies

Browse our Holiday Fun & Learning pages for project ideas plus links to great online texts, games, and activities.  Each page has a special section for social studies.   Related holiday arts and crafts projects and more.

Greek Links

Learn about the myths, fables, plays, epics, and even pottery of ancient Greece. A link to the
Perseus Project's history page is also included.

Soul Links (kid's)

Links to online spiritual texts, most adapted for children, representing most of the major world religions. Texts include the Bible, the Life of Buddha, The Koran, The Torah, and the Ramayana.

Spiritual Links

Links to sites representing a variety of spiritual traditions and outlooks (with more to be added soon).

Earth Kids Science

 

 

 

06/15/2007

 

 

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