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Showing posts with label Defending a Choice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Defending a Choice. Show all posts

Elf Laws: A Social Studies Activity

I had my students do this "Elf Laws" activity, and I'm not sure who had more fun, the kids or me!

Elf Laws: A Social Studies Civics Activity- Here's a fun activity to help get your children engaged in the process of law-making and thinking about what is really important!
 
The first part of the activity asks the children to put the Elf Laws in order with the most important law being #1 and the least important law being #10.
 
Elf Laws: A Social Studies Civics Activity- Here's a fun activity to help get your children engaged in the process of law-making and thinking about what is really important!

Once I convinced them that any answer was correct as long as they could defend their answer, the fun started. The children worked in pairs making their decisions and defending their decisions. I enjoyed some delightful conversations! 
Elf Laws: A Social Studies Civics Activity- Here's a fun activity to help get your children engaged in the process of law-making and thinking about what is really important!

I've developed the skill of pretending I'm working on something else while they work in order to hear those true conversations!
 
 I'm sure you've done it...pretend you're organizing books for tomorrow and walk by slowly. These are precious moments!
Elf Laws: A Social Studies Civics Activity- Here's a fun activity to help get your children engaged in the process of law-making and thinking about what is really important!

Well, once they got their laws in order, the real fun started: writing about why they put the laws in the order they did. Some children had a little trouble starting, but I prompted them with some questions like, "Why do you think cleaning up the workshop is so important?" Or "why is tooth brushing more important than singing carols?" Or "why don't you think wearing hats is an important rule?" 
Elf Laws: A Social Studies Civics Activity- Here's a fun activity to help get your children engaged in the process of law-making and thinking about what is really important!
 

Their answers were priceless! 
 
Elf Laws: A Social Studies Civics Activity- Here's a fun activity to help get your children engaged in the process of law-making and thinking about what is really important!

Here are some examples of how they defended their Elf Rules:
  • Elves need to show respect to other elves, just like we do. 
  • It's not important to brush teeth, that's what dentists are for!
  • Elves don't need to wear hats. They work indoors. 
  • They need to clean up the workshop. What if Santa tripped over something? We want Santa safe.
  • Of course they need to care for the reindeer. Who else is going to do it?
  • Elves work very hard making all those toys. It's important for them to get a break after Christmas. Just like us!

Aren't kids precious?

Elf Laws: A Social Studies Civics Activity- Here's a fun activity to help get your children engaged in the process of law-making and thinking about what is really important!

This is the perfect activity for this time of year. It keeps them engaged, and it's a valuable learning experience. For more activities like this, please see Science and Social Studies Printables for December. These will get you through those last few days.
Elf Laws: A Social Studies Civics Activity- Here's a fun activity to help get your children engaged in the process of law-making and thinking about what is really important!

Elf Laws: A Social Studies Civics Activity- Here's a fun activity to help get your children engaged in the process of law-making and thinking about what is really important!

  What activities are helping you get through the last few days before the break?


Elf Laws: A Social Studies Civics Activity- Here's a fun activity to help get your children engaged in the process of law-making and thinking about what is really important!








Martin Luther King Jr. Books, Videos, and Resources

I love teaching my students about Martin Luther King Jr.  

He was an incredible man, and stood for peace!

Martin Luther King Jr. Resources: This great man represented solving conflicts in a peaceful manner. Here are several books and video suggestions to help your students learn about Dr. King.


Although I'm giving away my age, I remember when he was shot. I was a little too young to understand the impact at the time. (I was far more interested in the boys than the politics of the day.) Today I can't watch his speech without tears rushing down my face.  It disturbs me to think that a peaceful man who worked so hard for non-violence was killed in such a violent way.

Literature is a valuable part of my teaching. I've read many books about Dr. King, and they always keep the children engaged.  He was clearly a powerful man. Here are some good ones: (Each is a link to Amazon.)
                                    
Explore each link to Amazon to learn more about that book!  A video also grabs the attention of the children. Check out this one from Brain Pop.




Or this one from YouTube (Who doesn't love Kid President?):




Although his speech is kind of long for the little ones, this is the last part of that famous speech, and it's worth showing at least part of it to the children. I think the children will understand Dr. King's passion:



Dr.  King taught the world about peace.  Here are some children's books that help with the concept of peace. 


I also recommend this video:

It certainly tells the story of peace that I want children to learn, and I suspect it's the peaceful world Dr. King dreamed of. Plus, the lyrics are right on the screen for the kids to sing along... over and over!

Here's one more video, a song that warms my heart! It goes right along with the teachings of Dr. King, and is something children will understand:

Finally, here's one of my own resources - it's a sorting activity that's sure to get the kids talking! And their conversations defending their opinions are amazing! Plus, there are related writing papers to follow up on those rich conversations! See the image for the activity Just or Unjust?

Martin Luther King Jr. Resources: This great man represented solving conflicts in a peaceful manner. Here are several books and video suggestions to help your students learn about Dr. King.


You can also get this resource for free by signing up for my emails HERE.

Speaking of activities, I have a couple of MLK activities in this resource: Science and Social Studies Activities for January

Martin Luther King Jr. Resources: This great man represented solving conflicts in a peaceful manner. Here are several books and video suggestions to help your students learn about Dr. King.


It includes a close read about Dr. King.
Martin Luther King Jr. Resources: This great man represented solving conflicts in a peaceful manner. Here are several books and video suggestions to help your students learn about Dr. King.

A mapping activity, based on important places in Dr. King's life.

Martin Luther King Jr. Resources: This great man represented solving conflicts in a peaceful manner. Here are several books and video suggestions to help your students learn about Dr. King.

And making timelines based on Dr. King's life.
Martin Luther King Jr. Resources: This great man represented solving conflicts in a peaceful manner. Here are several books and video suggestions to help your students learn about Dr. King.

See any of the images above to see Science and Social Studies Printables for January! (There is other fun stuff in there, too!)

I'd love to see your ideas for MLK too!

Martin Luther King Jr. Resources: This great man represented solving conflicts in a peaceful manner. Here are several books and video suggestions to help your students learn about Dr. King.
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