Social Studies
Early childhood classrooms are crucial for young children's learning and development, as they provide them with the basic knowledge, skills, and attributes needed to live in a complex society. Preschoolers participate in a classroom community, learning about others, places, times, and environments. This knowledge affects their sense of personal responsibility and their capacity to work for the wider social good. They develop awareness of social norms, custom strategies for interacting with others, and observe diversity and roles among people. They also participate in decision-making processes, become aware of their lives at specific times and places, and find satisfaction in caring for the environment. Adults build meaningful experiences in this content area, helping children understand their actions have an impact on others and the wider world.
5 materials that you can use: celebrating diversity book set, calming corner bundle, Social-Emotional competence support kit, instruments from around the world collection, and Multicultural storytelling kits.
KDI's List:
53. Diversity: Children understand that people have diverse characteristics, interests, and abilities.
54. Community roles: Children recognize that people have different roles and functions in the community.
55. Decision making: Children participate in making classroom decisions.
56. Geography: Children recognize and interpret features and locations in their environment.
57. History: Children understand past, present, and future.
58. Ecology: Children understand the importance of taking care of their environment.
1
Planning Form
Name of Activity
Starbucks Dramatic Play
Originating Idea
During work time yesterday while sitting in the house area, Aimara decided she was a barista and handed me a cup and said, “here, you need more coffee. Mom likes Starbucks better and I get a pup cup!”
Curriculum Area
Highlight 1:
Approaches to learning
Social and emotional development
Physical development and health
Language, literacy, and communication
Mathematics
Creative arts
Science and technology
Social studies
KDIs
54. Community roles: Children recognize that people have different roles and functions in the community.
Materials
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Morgan Grassi The Beach Classroom® Starbucks Coffee Dramatic Play ($5 on Teachers Pay Teachers)
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Menu items
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Real-Working Cash Register Lakeshore®
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Best-Buy Play Food Assortment Lakeshore®
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Kid-Safe Appliances Complete Set Lakeshore®
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Indestructible Kitchen Playset Lakeshore®
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SINLAND Kids Apron with Pocket 2 Pack Children Chef Apron for Cooking Baking Painting in Green (found for $11.99 on Amazon)
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Empty plastic Starbucks Coffee Jugs and bottles
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Optional- donated items from your local Starbucks like small free trial cups, bags, napkins, green stirring sticks, etc.
Appropriate Age group
GSRP – ages 3 to 5
Beginning of Activity
Discuss what a coffee shop is. Show pictures of a Starbucks coffee shop and talk about the different items sold.
Middle of Activity
Introduce relevant vocabulary words (coffee, tea, pastry, menu, customer, barista) and explain their meanings with simple definitions and gestures.
Early:
Children may talk about or play family roles and engage in simple pretend play that imitates others exchanging goods and services.
Middle:
Children may talk about or play community roles they come in direct contact with and pretend to give out goods or services in exchange for money or its equivalent.
Later:
Children may talk about or play less familiar roles and recognize their importance to the community and show or describe in their play or conversation where money comes from and how people get it.
End of Activity
Discuss what they enjoyed about the coffee shop activity. Ask questions: “What did you like to order?” “What was your favorite part of being a barista/customer?”
Follow-up Ideas (2)
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Classroom Map
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Pinecone Bird Feeder
2
Planning Form
Name of Activity
Classroom Map
Originating Idea
At the beginning of the year, the students will work collaboratively together to create a classroom map to help themselves and others get around the classroom.
Curriculum Area
Highlight 1:
Approaches to learning
Social and emotional development
Physical development and health
Language, literacy, and communication
Mathematics
Creative arts
Science and technology
Social studies
KDIs
56. Geography: Children recognize and interpret features and locations in their environment.
Materials
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“Pete the Cat and the Treasure Map” by James Dean.
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Large sheet of white butcher paper
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Glue
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Printed High Scope area signs and photos of each area within the classroom
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Block Area
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House Area
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Book Area
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Art Area
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Toy Area
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Sand/Water Table
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Cubby Area
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Bathroom
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Teachers Office
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Various writing materials
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Crayons
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Markers
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Colored pencils
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Appropriate Age group
GSRP – ages 3 to 5
​
Beginning of Activity
Begin by talking about maps. Ask students if they know what a map is and where they might have seen one (e.g., in books, on the road, treasure maps). Read the book “Pete the Cat and the Treasure Map” by James Dean.
Middle of Activity
Show the students different examples of what some maps might look like.
Early:
Children may match or locate specific objects and events in their immediate environment and identify labels and area signs in the classroom.
Middle:
Children may identify characteristics and landmarks in their neighborhood and read a simple or familiar map.
Later:
Children may identify characteristics and landmarks in their community and read a simple yet unfamiliar map.
End of Activity
Have the children share their classroom map with the class, describing what each area is and what they like to do there. Ask questions like "Why do we need a map?" and "How does our map help us find things in our classroom?"
Follow-up Ideas (2)
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Starbucks Dramatic Play
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Pinecone Bird Feeder
3
Planning Form
Name of Activity
Pinecone Bird Feeders
Originating Idea
Since everyone worked so hard collecting the pinecones on our nature walk, we are now going to make a bird feeder.
Curriculum Area
Highlight 1:
Approaches to learning
Social and emotional development
Physical development and health
Language, literacy, and communication
Mathematics
Creative arts
Science and technology
Social studies
KDIs
58. Ecology: Children understand the importance of taking care of their environment.
Materials
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20+ Pre-cut strings by adult to use to hang the pinecones
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20+ plates one for each child/teacher
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20+ sporks one for each child/teacher
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20+ individual WOW Soy Butter one for each child/teacher *This is to ensure that the product used is allergy friendly and everyone is able to participate*
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20+ Pinecones one for each child/teacher
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Easy Clean Craft Trays (used for the bird seed)
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Audubon Park Migration Blend Wild Bird Seed, Dry, 2 lb. Bag (Walmart about $5)
Appropriate Age group
GSRP – ages 3 to 5
Beginning of Activity
Gather the children in a circle and introduce the topic. Discuss what birds eat and how they find food in the wild. Show pictures of different types of birds and their habitats. Explain to the children that they will be making a treat for the birds using pinecones.
Middle of Activity
Engage the children in conversation about where they might hang their bird feeders (trees, outdoor areas, etc.) and what birds they hope to attract. Discuss the importance of taking care of nature and wildlife.
Early:
Children may care for the indoor or outdoor environment when asked or reminded to.
Middle:
Children may take care of things in the environment that they are personally interested in.
Later:
Children may take responsibility for the care of things in the environment; recognizing their actions have an effect on the environment.
End of Activity
Using the teachers pinecone bird feeders and any extra’s if there are take the children outside to a designated area where they can hang their pinecone feeders from trees or bushes. Talk about observing the birds that may visit and encourage them to watch for the next few days.
Follow-up Ideas (2)
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Starbucks Dramatic Play
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Classroom Map