Social Studies

We did two fun things in Social Studies in the last couple of weeks with foldables...the Indian Removal Act and The War of 1812.  The kids had a good time putting them together.  First we read about the War of 1812 and had our cause and effect discussion.  Those always seem to go well.  I had a friend send pictures of his flag (retired Air Force) being flown at Fort McHenry so I shared those.  I made "matchbook" covers for Chief Tecumseh, James Madison, Andrew Jackson, and Francis Scott Key.  We did a little 3-tab book for the Fort, and a fan book to summarize.  I also printed out the entire poem/song of "The Star-Spangled Banner" that always shocks the kids.  They had no idea it was so long!

The following week we spent two weeks on The Trail of Tears, the Seminole Wars, and the Indian Removal Act.  The students were outraged at the behavior of the President which led me to an activity I hadn't considered: a letter to the editor.  I had them pretend to be citizens in the 1830s and send a letter to the editor of a newspaper outlining their concerns that the President did not heed the ruling of the Supreme Court.  Coming off the American Revolution and the Constitution units, the students were very well aware of the importance of checks and balances.  I was glad to see that message remained with them!  We did a shutter fold main folder and a timeline, letter to the editor, and map on the inside.  Also on the inside, under the letter, the students worked on some math problems in trying to figure out percentages of departures and arrivals, births, deaths, and comings and goings in the various parties on the Trail of Tears.  Math!  In Social Studies!  OMG!  It was a great review on percentages.

I need to give credit where it is due.  Thank you to www.homeschoolshare.com for the lapbook templates/foldables!!