Grade 1 • Social Studies How to Support Your Child

Grade 1 Social Studies

How To Support Your Child

According to the U.S. Department of Education, families can spark enthusiasm in children and lead them to a very important understanding- that learning can be enjoyable as well as rewarding and well worth the effort required. 

This page contains extension activities related to working together, our world of cultures, communities at work, and our changing world.   

Family Field Trips

• Star-Spangled Banner Flag House ( Baltimore Maryland)  844 East Pratt Street http://www.flaghouse.org
• B&O Railroad museum (Baltimore Md.)    http://www.borail.org
• Baltimore Streetcar Museum (Baltimore Md.) http://www.baltimorestreetcar.org
• U.S.S. Constellation (Baltimore Md. ) http://www.historicships.org
• College Park Aviation Museum http://www.collegeparkaviationmuseum.com/Visit/For_Families.htm Links to an external site.  
• Clark's Elioak Farm (Howard County Md.)  410 730-4049 
• Larriland Farms  www.pickyourown.com Links to an external site. 
• C&O Canal Historical Park/ (Great Falls Va.https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/great-falls-canal-boat-rides.htm Links to an external site.    
• Historic Medley District (Poolesville Md Montgomery County) http://www.historicmedley.org/visit/seneca-schoolhouse Links to an external site.
• The Mexican Cultural Institute http://www.instituteofmexicodc.org/ Links to an external site.
• Visit the local post office to see how mail travels
• Visit the local grocery store to see where food comes from.

Content and Skills to Reinforce at Home

Historical Thinking Skills

• Discuss how life today is similar or different from life long ago.
• Talk to their elders about what life was like when they were a child.
• Examine photographs from the past and discuss what they notice about them.
• Practice the skill of corroborating evidence by having your child compare and contrast two ideas, concepts or sources.  This is often done using a venn diagram or asking, "How is this book similar to or different from the other book?"
  
  

Economics and Financial Literacy Skills 

• Take a trip to a store and compare prices.  
• Discuss where food comes from.
• Take a trip to the bank and talk about money.
• Visit a local farm to see animals or go fruit and vegetable picking.
  
  

Geography and Map Skills

• Discuss where you are with your children. 
• Encourage your child to read maps when you are out.
• Follow map directions and identify items from the key when you are at the grocery store, amusement park,  or other location where maps are available.   
• Make a map of a favorite playground.
• Try food from different countries and cultures around the world
• Mark it on a map and challenge your family to eat from every continent then try for as many countries.

• When you try foods from different cultures or countries, read a story about that culture or country. 

• The 50 States Song Links to an external site.  Map song about the 50 states on Kidtube
• Seven 7 Continents Interesting Facts for Kids Links to an external site.  video about the continents
• Geography Explorer: Continents - Interesting and Educational Videos for Kids Links to an external site.    video about the continents 

Political Science

• Be a model citizen.
• Celebrate the diversity of cultures/nationalities in your community.
• Take your child to the voting booth with you.
• Take your child to community meetings or political events.
• Consider volunteering or participating in community service with your child.