Cooperative Problem-Solving Activities for Social Studies, Grades 6-12
Second Edition
September 2008 | 200 pages | Corwin
Give your students the opportunity to think, to discover, and to learn together! The second edition of Catch Them Thinking in Social Studies demonstrates how teachers can use cooperative learning strategies to fully engage students in the social studies curriculum. The authors offer engaging activities and a variety of problem-solving lessons in five areas of social studies instruction: geography, politics, economics, culture, and history.
This updated edition includes new activities and helps teachers prepare students to:
- Rely on themselves and their peers for information
- Work closely with others Make suggestions
- Use trial-and-error strategies Have fun learning about social studies
Foreword by Tim Erickson
Preface
About the Authors
Introduction
1. Geography: Time Zones, Maps, and Population Counts
Activity 1: The IBA: Globe Trotting
Activity 2: The IBA: Time Zones
Activity 3: The IBA: Playoff Schedule
Activity 4: The IBA: Satellite TV
Activity 5: Maps of the United States and Canada
Activity 6: Demographics: "Population Shifts"
Activity 7: World Rankings
Activity 8: US Population Clock Projections
Activity 9: World Population Clock Projections
2. Politics: US Political Processes
Activity 10: The President's Cabinet
Activity 11: Apportionment
Activity 12: Apportionment: The Equal Proportions Method
Activity 13: Gerrymandering a State
Activity 14: Gerrymandering a County
Activity 15: The Electoral College and the Election of 1824
Activity 16: "Capitol" Murder: How to Kill a Bill
Activity 17: Coming to America
3. Economics: My Money, Our Money
Activity 18: Interest(ing) Times
Activity 19: The IRS and the Single Taxpayer
Activity 20: The Power of Diversification
Activity 21: Family Matters
Activity 22: Social Security Retirement Benefits
Activity 23: Watch Your Money Grow
Activity 24: Watch Your Money Go!
Activity 25: Mortgage Smorgasbord
Activity 26: To Buy or Not to Buy
Activity 27: Real and Personal Property Taxes
4. Cultures: Mystery From History
Activity 28: Succession to the British Throne (Part 1)
Activity 29: Succession to the British Throne (Part 2)
Activity 30: Royal Surfing (Part 1)
Activity 31: Royal Surfing (Part 2)
Activity 32: Roman Numerals
Activity 33: Mayan Math (Part 1)
Activity 34: Mayan Math (Part 2)
Activity 35: Search for the Zytar (Part 1)
Activity 36: Search for the Zytar (Part 2)
Activity 37: Search for the Zytar (Part 3)
5. History: Perspectives on Past Events
Activity 38: The American Revolution
Activity 39: The Election of 1824
Activity 40: The 1850's
Activity 41: The Roaring Twenties
Activity 42: What's in a Name?
Activity 43: Five Great Presidents
Activity 44: The Headright System
Activity 45: US Population Growth 1790-1860
Index
“Cooperative group learning is a powerful approach, and this book provides explicit ideas and guidelines.”
University of Virginia
“These activities will foster participation and critical thinking in the classroom.”
Aberdeen Central High School, SD