Social studies lessons provide a golden opportunity for homeschool parents to explore the deep tapestry of cultures and perspectives that make up our world.
Beyond the rote facts and events of typical social studies curricula, parents can foster a deep sense of inclusion and respect in the next generation for all of humanity.
Let’s dig into the details of how to fill in the missing “human experience” aspects of your student’s social studies education.
Elementary School Social Studies
For all elementary school grade levels, the central subjects in a social studies curriculum should include the fundamentals of geography, history, economics, and civics.
It should also focus on historical civilizations and consider the ways that other societies have influenced our politics, institutions, social mores, and cultural practices.
The purpose of these elementary school basics is to lay the foundation for more in-depth social studies later on in middle and high school.
How to Weave Inclusion into Social Studies Subjects
Now, let’s get into some “how to” ideas and examples. We used sample elementary social studies curricula from Time4Learning for this article, but the same principles can most likely be applied to any homeschool brand.
General Tips
As social studies curricula can cover multiple topics, it’s important to keep the following “big picture” suggestions in mind as you unravel varied lesson plan details:
Stress Common Human Experiences
- Talk about diverse cultures while emphasizing common skills.
- Prioritize universal human values like community, friendship, family, and love.
- Explain how people from various cultures have faced similar experiences.
- Emphasize the efforts made by individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Choose Diverse Educational Resources
- Pick books and other materials that showcase a range of cultures and viewpoints.
- Look into the lives and biographies of individuals with diverse backgrounds.
- Make use of documentaries and internet resources that provide a range of perspectives.
Set an Example of Inclusive Behavior
- Be aware of the words and deeds you use.
- Respect different viewpoints in your household.
- Have frank and open discussions on social issues and current events.
Promote Questioning and Critical Thinking
- Ask open-ended questions that stimulate thinking critically about societal concerns.
- Motivate kids to confront prejudices and stereotypes.
- Have empathetic, inclusive conversations about current affairs.
Encourage and Motivate Practical Activities
- Create teamwork-based projects.
- Plan culinary tastings or cultural events.
- Participate in community service to encourage inclusivity.
Specific Examples
Take a look at some specific suggestions for weaving the inclusion of morals into social studies subjects.
History
- When discussing a certain period in history, consider the contributions made by women, people of color, and underrepresented groups.
- Talk about the difficulties and contributions Native Americans made to society as you study them.
- As you study immigration, investigate the causes of immigration as well as how it affects various communities.
- Include people from a variety of backgrounds in your lessons about well-known people and talk about their accomplishments.
Geography
- Cultural Geography: Examine how various cultures influence societies and their environments.
- Economic Geography: Talk about how access to opportunities and resources might be impacted by economic disparities.
- Political Geography: Analyze the effects that various groups may have from political boundaries and power arrangements.
- Environmental Geography: Discuss how marginalized populations are disproportionately impacted by environmental deterioration and climate change.
- Historical Geography: Study how historical events have shaped the distribution of people and resources.
Economics
- Scarcity: Talk about the disparate effects that scarce resources can have on diverse populations.
- Supply and Demand: Describe how advertising might impact customer decisions by focusing on particular groups.
- Money and Banking: Discuss how a person’s background can affect their ability to access certain financial services.
- Global Economy: Talk about the potential effects of trade on workers in diverse countries.
- Economic Systems: Examine the ways in which various economic systems handle inequality.
Civics
- Government: Talk about how various groups can be affected differently by laws.
- Citizenship: Stress the value of civic engagement for every member of the community.
- Voting: Describe the background of voting rights and the significance of every vote.
- Community: Talk about how diversity is important for creating strong communities.
- Rights and obligations: Explore how different rights and obligations can vary based on individual situations.
Let’s sum it up.
By integrating these suggestions, you can give your child a rich and inclusive social studies education. Remember that the goal is to foster a feeling of respect and belonging for everyone.
About the Author
Trish Allison is a career writer, mom, and the founder of DEI for Parents. The goal of DEI for Parents is to help parents raise open-minded kids by integrating diversity and inclusion morals into homeschool lessons and household routines.
