In kindergarten, “primary studies…begin with the child’s immediate present and/or prior knowledge and then move spatially outward to develop important linkages” with larger concepts, including history (A Look at Kindergarten, 2011, p. 29). As students progress in their study of history, they will learn about the significance of important national symbols and historic documents as primary sources, as well as the important cultural contributions various groups have made. Further along, students will study notable people and events which have made a difference and delve further into the concept of change over time by learning to use timelines. Other topics and themes that will eventually be examined will be exploration and settlement, immigration, and technological innovations and how these have shaped social, cultural, economic, and political developments.
History ideally should be taught “as a way of knowing rather than a list of things to know” (Fillpot, 2009, par. 10) and a “unique form of inquiry” (Heyking, 2004, par. 2) with an emphasis on analysis and evidence. According to a 1988 report from the National Council for the Social Studies, social studies are important for gaining the “knowledge and understanding of the past necessary for coping with the present and planning for the future” (Social, 1988, par. 8). If this idea was so in 1988, it is even more relevant now given today’s accelerated pace and increasing globalization. The analytical skills taught in history and a grasp of history’s vast scope are crucial to giving students a foundation for finding their place in the world and in their communities.
Additional resources for further exploration
Click the link below to read about Bringing History Home, a K-5 program based on rigorous history explorations, and explore BHH’s innovative lesson plans and teacher resources.
http://www.bringinghistoryhome.org/
The following article focuses on how to improve teaching history in the elementary grades.
Is history being taught less in elementary schools? This article examines some reasons why that may be so.
