There is a vast array of resources on the site for teaching and learning. The resources are designed to support the key elements of the 2013 Revised Social Studies Geography and History curriculum: disciplinary thinking, inquiry, spatial skills and citizenship.
If you are just getting started we recommend the following:
- Explore the success Criteria for Disciplinary Thinking
The document shows how students can do “social studies” rather than learn about about. The “doing” refers to the use of thinking concepts that professionals in the field use. The support is arranged for each grade and strand.
- Watch some of the videos relating to inquiry. This series explores the benefits of the inquiry process for students and teachers. We are just sharing some approaches you can use. Use the guiding questions to reflect on the video and decide on your own next steps. Remember that you can land on any part of the inquiry process at any time and teachers are not required to go through the whole process all the time.
It is important that you deliberately select an aspect of inquiry that you will teach to your class. Consider the skills you need to model and reinforce. Also reflect on the importance of success criteria. Developing this success criteria helps your students and yourself to know what the target is and whether you have reached it.
- Another way to take advantage of the site is to use the supports for math, spatial skills or language arts. These documents are more prescribed and offer ideas and resources that reflect the revised curriculum.