Best Strategies for Teaching in Long Social Studies Blocks

By Kirsten Hammond

If you’re lucky enough to have extended time to teach in a long social studies block, you’re in for a treat!

More time means more opportunities to dive deeper into topics, engage students with diverse activities, and make learning even more dynamic.

Whether you have a 60-minute or 90-minute block, having a structured approach allows you to maximize instructional time while keeping students engaged. Below are some schedule ideas and activities to help you make the most of your long social studies block.

Long Social Studies Block

45-60-Minute Block Schedule

A 45-60 minute block allows for a balanced combination of instruction, interaction, and student work time. Here’s a breakdown of how to organize this long social studies block effectively:

1. Warm-Up (5-10 minutes)

Start with a quick, engaging activity to get students thinking about social studies. You could use a daily passage related to the current topic or a brief quiz on recent content. This helps activate prior knowledge and sets the stage for the lesson.

  • Example:
    • Daily Passage: A short passage about a historical event with a couple of comprehension questions.
    • Quick Quiz: A few review questions about the previous day’s lesson to refresh students’ memory.

2. Mini-Lesson (10-15 minutes)

Present the core content of the day’s lesson. Use a mix of direct instruction, multimedia, and interactive elements to keep students engaged. Short videos, slides, or a class discussion can enrich this part of the block.

  • Example: Topic – The American Revolution
    • Activity: Show a brief video clip explaining the causes and key figures of the revolution, followed by a class discussion about what students learned.

3. Independent Activity (10-15 minutes)

After the mini-lesson, provide students with an opportunity to work independently on a task that reinforces the content.

  • Example:
    • Activity: Students fill out a graphic organizer listing key events of the American Revolution and their impacts.

4. Stations (10-15 minutes)

Setting up stations gives students the chance to engage with the material in a hands-on way. Rotate students through various stations where they can work on different aspects of the topic.

  • Example:
    • Station 1: Map activity where students identify key locations of the American Revolution.
    • Station 2: Role-playing station where students act out scenes from the revolution.
    • Station 3: Craft station where students create a timeline of key events.

5. Review/Extend/Project (3-5 minutes)

Wrap up the lesson with a brief review of the day’s content. You can also preview what’s coming next or assign a small project for deeper exploration.

  • Example:
    • Review: Recap key points from the mini-lesson and answer any lingering questions.
    • Extension: Preview the next lesson on the Articles of Confederation, and assign a homework task where students write a journal entry about how they think the new government would have impacted their daily lives.
passages 2

90-Minute Block Schedule

With a longer 90-minute block, you have the flexibility to explore topics in even greater depth and engage students in more interactive activities. Here’s how to structure this extended time:

1. Warm-Up (10 minutes)

Similar to the 60-minute block, start with a warm-up activity that activates prior knowledge and sets the stage for learning. You could also use this time to introduce current events that connect to the day’s topic.

  • Example:
    • Daily Passage: A detailed passage or a brief current events article related to the U.S. Constitution.

2. Mini-Lesson (20 minutes)

With the extra time, you can delve deeper into the content. Use this portion of the block to incorporate more detailed instruction, class discussions, or multimedia presentations.

  • Example:
    • Activity: Introduce the key principles of the Constitution using a mix of lecture, video clips, and a class discussion about how the Constitution impacts our lives today.

3. Independent Activity (20 minutes)

Allow students to work individually or in pairs on a more comprehensive task. This could be a detailed worksheet, a research assignment, or a creative writing task.

  • Example:
    • Activity: Have students write a short essay about how one of the Constitution’s amendments affects their daily lives or society at large.

4. Stations (25 minutes)

With a longer time block, you can extend the stations activity to include more diverse and interactive tasks. This promotes student engagement and allows them to explore the topic from different angles.

  • Example:
    • Station 1: Interactive scavenger hunt focused on the Constitution.
    • Station 2: Debate station where students discuss the significance of different amendments.
    • Station 3: Design a poster illustrating one of the Constitution’s amendments.

5. Review/Extend/Project (15 minutes)

End the lesson with a comprehensive review of what was covered, followed by a project or extension activity that encourages students to synthesize their learning.

  • Example:
    • Review: Group discussion on the key takeaways from the lesson.
    • Extension/Project: Start a group project where students plan a mock “Constitution Day” event. Each group could create presentations, displays, and activities that demonstrate their understanding of the Constitution and its amendments.
Boy Looking On A Tidied Desk

Additional Tips for a Long Social Studies Block

  • Interactive Games: Use educational games like Jeopardy-style quizzes or digital platforms such as Nearpod or Kahoot to make learning fun and interactive. These can be great for reviewing content or assessing student understanding.
  • Current Events: Integrate current events into your social studies lessons to help students connect historical knowledge with what’s happening today. Resources like KidNuz or The Big Fib can be valuable tools for this.
  • Hands-On Activities: Incorporate crafts, role-plays, or simulations to create a more dynamic and engaging learning environment. These activities can help students internalize abstract concepts and make learning more memorable.

Whether you have a 45-minute block or a 90-minute block, maximizing your time with structured lessons and engaging activities will make social studies more dynamic and enjoyable for your students.

By following these schedules and incorporating a mix of instruction, independent work, and interactive stations, you can ensure that your long social studies block is filled with meaningful learning opportunities!

kirsten hammond

Kirsten is a former 3rd and 5th grade teacher who loves helping upper elementary teachers by creating resources and sharing ideas that are engaging, research-based, and TEKS-aligned. She is a work-from-home mama of 3 rambunctious little ones and loves running, true crime, and lots of coffee.

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