Content+Area+Resources

=High School Social Studies Resources=

__Concerns__
1. One of my biggest concerns is grade appropriate content. Many educational games and electronic resources are fun but for a high school classroom they would not keep students engaged for very long. Any online resource I used I would be required to supplement it with more in-depth content, possibly even creating an entire lesson to "beef-up" online content. 2. Just because it is online doesn't mean it is better. So many "free" resources are kinda cluttered, outdated, and just not as good as something taken from a textbook publisher. Honestly I have found that Social Studies resources seem to be the worst. 3. I feel that a concern that will haunt me until I actually get into a classroom is just about how much technology I will have access to. Some of these resources are great but I would need every student to sit at a computer to fully take advantage of it. Other lessons I would need an expensive projector in my classroom to display the site for all the students participate.

__Suggestions__
1. Learn how to use RSS feeds well. They can easily deliver pertinent news to you without you having to search for it. 2. Always be on the lookout for new websites for in-class resources. Every teacher you talk to has a few favorites they like using. Ask them, write them down somewhere and try them out. 3. Keep an eye out for local programing. History channel, CBS specials, dateline, 60 minutes...etc. They are excellent resources but you have to keep an eye out for episodes that apply to your class.

a. Focus/purpose:
A video game dedicated to simulate the hardships American settlers faced while crossing the United States to reach the Organ Territory.

b. Relevance:
Organ Tail is a fun way to educate students about the westward expansion of American settlers in the 1800s. This game opens up many opportunities to contrast life today with the life of 1800s America and get students excited about history. For many students with disabilities this can be an excellent task in which they can fully participate.

a. Focus/purpose:
An entire site devoted to self-discovery. The Smithsonian student site includes games and interactive lessons that take students through all types of history from ancient to modern.

b. Relevance:
For students who have difficulty learning in a classroom format this is a fun resource for students to explore and learn things on their own.

a. Focus/purpose:
Involve students in learning the Bill of Rights though an interactive game in an environment they are familiar with.

b. Relevance:
This is a simple game but its simplicity enables it to be quick and fun while going over the bill of rights. The simplicity also allows students with intellectual disabilities to fully participate without falling behind.

a. Focus/purpose:
This FAQ gives students a close-up and personal view of one of their founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin. This site answers very simple questions that many students might wonder but never have the courage to ask.

b. Relevance:
Getting to know and understand the daily lives of the US founding fathers helps students not only understand the US Constitution but also gives increase understanding for the entire time of history that surrounds it. This resource also gives links to students to explore further into each answer opening opportunities for the gifted and talented students to continue exploring while the rest of the class completes the activity.

a. Focus/purpose:
To assist educators with excellent multimedia resources and lesson plans list state standards. The lessons created by the Discovery Channel are full of exciting multimedia presentations and many have activities included for students to participate in the learning process.

b. Relevance:
Most lessons list content standards in Social Studies. This quickly allows me as an educator filter through what is important to my classroom and what is not. For students with special needs the multimedia assists students understanding by varying the means of delivering the information. media type="custom" key="10147499"