Social Studies Overview
Social Studies Curriculum
Willowwind School uses a project-based learning approach. Project-based learning is a systematic teaching method that engages students in learning essential knowledge and life-engaging skills through an inquiry process structured around authentic questions and carefully designed projects. Project-based learning requires the integration of different subject areas to complete the projects and that is how the curriculum at Willowwind is organized. The basic knowledge of social studies is integrated with science and language arts to create meaningful curriculum units.
2016-2017 School Year
Students will compare and contrast the history, geography, government, and economy of Iowa with other states in the Midwest Region of the United States. Students will learn about the major geographic features of Iowa and how the geography has influenced the history and economy of Iowa. Students will be introduced to the major eras and historical events in Iowa history and issues of social justice related to those events, such as the displacement of Native Americans as a result of European settlement across the United States. We will take a number of relevant field trips as we learn first hand about the state of Iowa. This is possible, because much of the early history of Iowa began in the Iowa City area. We will integrate a study of maps as we learn about the state. Students will learn about the major economic activities of Iowa and how the natural resources of Iowa relate to its economic activities. We have our own one-time money making project to cover the cost of a class trip. This Burrowing Owl Café has become a tradition that everyone enjoys. Students will be introduced to the primary features of the government for the state of Iowa and how an idea becomes a law in Iowa. A special emphasis during this election year will be a study of the election process used in the United States. Later in the year the study of Iowa will be compared and contrasted with the history, geography, government, and economy of the other Regions of the United States.
2017-2018 School Year
We will learn about the history, geography, government, and economy of Iowa City as a way to personalize the concepts related to communities and then will generalize those concepts to all communities. We will take a number of relevant field trips as we learn first hand about our community. We will bring the history of Iowa City alive by visiting the sites where this history took place. We will compare maps to learn about the geography of Iowa City. We will bring the economics of Iowa City alive, by visiting area businesses and inviting parents into our classroom to share their work. In addition we will have our own one-time money making project to cover the cost of a class trip. This Burrowing Owl Café has become a tradition that everyone enjoys. Finally, we will also learn how the government of Iowa City is organized.
Willowwind School uses a project-based learning approach. Project-based learning is a systematic teaching method that engages students in learning essential knowledge and life-engaging skills through an inquiry process structured around authentic questions and carefully designed projects. Project-based learning requires the integration of different subject areas to complete the projects and that is how the curriculum at Willowwind is organized. The basic knowledge of social studies is integrated with science and language arts to create meaningful curriculum units.
2016-2017 School Year
Students will compare and contrast the history, geography, government, and economy of Iowa with other states in the Midwest Region of the United States. Students will learn about the major geographic features of Iowa and how the geography has influenced the history and economy of Iowa. Students will be introduced to the major eras and historical events in Iowa history and issues of social justice related to those events, such as the displacement of Native Americans as a result of European settlement across the United States. We will take a number of relevant field trips as we learn first hand about the state of Iowa. This is possible, because much of the early history of Iowa began in the Iowa City area. We will integrate a study of maps as we learn about the state. Students will learn about the major economic activities of Iowa and how the natural resources of Iowa relate to its economic activities. We have our own one-time money making project to cover the cost of a class trip. This Burrowing Owl Café has become a tradition that everyone enjoys. Students will be introduced to the primary features of the government for the state of Iowa and how an idea becomes a law in Iowa. A special emphasis during this election year will be a study of the election process used in the United States. Later in the year the study of Iowa will be compared and contrasted with the history, geography, government, and economy of the other Regions of the United States.
2017-2018 School Year
We will learn about the history, geography, government, and economy of Iowa City as a way to personalize the concepts related to communities and then will generalize those concepts to all communities. We will take a number of relevant field trips as we learn first hand about our community. We will bring the history of Iowa City alive by visiting the sites where this history took place. We will compare maps to learn about the geography of Iowa City. We will bring the economics of Iowa City alive, by visiting area businesses and inviting parents into our classroom to share their work. In addition we will have our own one-time money making project to cover the cost of a class trip. This Burrowing Owl Café has become a tradition that everyone enjoys. Finally, we will also learn how the government of Iowa City is organized.