Category Archives: Social Studies Enrichment

#72: The 50 States Research Challenge

Social Studies Enrichment

Have you ever asked what gives each state its own character? Each state holds its own past, landscape, emblems, notable places, and well-known people. In this Mini Spark, you’ll act as an investigator and discover the United States state by state through brief videos packed with fun facts.

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #72: The 50 States Research Challenge

2. Choose one state that interests you from the video playlist. Before watching, record:

  • The name of the state
  • Its location in the United States
  • Three things you already know about it

Then make one prediction:

What do you think makes this state unique?

3. Watch the video for your chosen state.

As you watch, record:

  • State capital
  • State nickname
  • State bird
  • State flower
  • Population (if given)
  • Largest city
  • One famous landmark
  • One interesting fact

4.

 

5.

 

Check out the badge, The 50 States Research Challenge, at the EY Website.

You can use this mini spark for the first task.

 

#70: The Underground Railroad

Social Studies Enrichment

How far would you go to help someone gain their freedom? During the 1800s, brave people risked their safety to help enslaved people escape to freedom through a network known as the Underground Railroad. Historians recently discovered evidence of a hidden room in a New York City home that may have been used to shelter freedom seekers. Learn about this remarkable chapter of American history in this Social Studies Mini Spark.

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #70: The Underground Railroad

2. Watch this video and record 5 important facts about the Underground Railroad.

3. Watch the video about the hidden room discovered in a New York City house connected to the Underground Railroad. As you watch, record:

  • 3 details about the hidden room.
  • 2 risks faced by people helping freedom seekers.
  • 1 question you still have after watching.

4. Set your timer for 5 minutes. Read a post at National Geographic for Kids. Study the map on the page as well. Explain what the different colors on the map represent.

5. Do you think ordinary people can make a difference during difficult times in history? Use examples from the videos and National Geographic Kids to support your answer.

6. Share your Social Studies mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

Check out Social Studies Mini Spark #44 to learn more!

 

#68: The Lost Colony of Roanoke

Social Studies Enrichment

What if an entire town disappeared without leaving a trace? More than 400 years ago, over 100 English settlers arrived on Roanoke Island hoping to build a new life in North America. When help finally arrived three years later, the colony was empty—and the mystery has never been fully solved. Discover one of America’s greatest historical mysteries in this Social Studies Mini Spark!

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #68: The Lost Colony of Roanoke

2. Watch this video about the lost colony.  Why do historians think Croatoan Island may be connected to the disappearance of the colonists?

3. Sketch simple map on your recording page.

Add these labels

  • Roanoke Island
  • Croatoan (Hatteras) Island
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Virginia
  • North Carolina
  • Jamestown

4. Watch the PBS video, Discovering New Clues About the Fate of the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island. As you watch, record:

  • 5 important facts about the Lost Colony.
  • 2 clues archaeologists have discovered.
  • 1 theory about what may have happened to the colonists.

5.  Read this article. Many historians believe the colonists may have joined nearby Native American communities, while others suggest different explanations. Recent archaeological discoveries have provided new clues, but no final answer has been proven.

Answer in 3-4 complete sentences:

Do you think the Lost Colony mystery will ever be completely solved? Why or why not? Support your answer with evidence from the article and videos.

6. Share your Social Studies mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

 

 

 

#67: Discover the Stock Market!

Social Studies Enrichment, Uncategorized

Imagine you want to open a giant lemonade stand business, but you need $100 to buy lemons, sugar, and cups. You only have $10. What do you do?

You could ask 90 of your friends to give you $1 each. In return, you give each friend a tiny piece of your business. If your lemonade stand makes a big profit, your friends get a share of that money. If it fails, they lose their dollar.

That is exactly how the stock market works, just on a much bigger scale!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page #67: Discover the Stock Market!

2. Read the information and answer the question, “What is a stock”, on your recording page. Use 2 sentences.

What is a Stock?

A stock (also called a share) is a piece of ownership in a company. When you buy a stock, you become a shareholder. If you buy a share of a famous company like Apple, Disney, or Nike, you actually own a tiny, microscopic piece of that company.

Companies sell stock because they need money to grow. They use the cash from investors to build new factories, invent new products, or hire more workers.

3.  Read the information and answer the question, “How did the stock market start”, on your recording page. Use 3 sentences.

 How Did the Stock Market Start?

The stock market wasn’t invented overnight. It started hundreds of years ago because of sea voyages.

The First Stock: Sea Monsters and Spices

In the 1600s, Dutch explorers wanted to sail across the ocean to bring back valuable spices like cinnamon and pepper from Asia. These trips were incredibly expensive and risky. Ships could sink, get lost, or be attacked by pirates.

No single person wanted to risk all their money on one ship. So, in 1602, the Dutch East India Company decided to try something new. They asked regular citizens to fund the trips. In exchange, citizens got a paper certificate showing they owned a “share” of the voyage’s profits. This was the world’s very first official stock market.

Under the Buttonwood Tree

In America, the stock market started out on the streets of New York City. In 1792, a group

of 24 businessmen met outside on Wall Street under a large buttonwood tree. They signed an agreement to trade stocks with each other. This outdoor meeting spot e

ventually grew into the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), which is now the biggest stock market in the world.

 

 

 

4. Read the information and answer the question, “How does the stock market work today:, on your recording page. Use 2 sentences.

How Does the Stock Market Work Today?

Today, people don’t meet under trees to trade stocks. It is almost entirely done on computers. The stock market acts like a giant, digital supermarket where buyers and sellers trade shares.

The prices of stocks go up and down every second based on a rule called supply and demand:

  • High Demand: If a company invents an awesome new video game console, a lot of people will want to buy that company’s stock. Because the stock is popular, the price goes up.

  • Low Demand: If a company makes a bad product or loses money, people will want to sell their stock. Because everyone is selling and nobody is buying, the price goes down.

People invest in the stock market hoping to buy a stock at a low price and sell it later at a higher price, making a profit.

5. There is always a risk involved! The stock market involves risk. There are NO guarantees. If a company goes out of business, the value of its stock can drop to zero and investors can lose ALL of the money they put in. Summarize this information using 5 words.

6. Share your Social Studies mini spark recording page with your teacher or EY coordinator.

Want to try it out for yourself? Learn more about the stock market by completing the Stock Market Badge at the EY website.

#66: Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride

Social Studies Enrichment,

What would you do if you had to deliver an important message that could change history? In 1775, a silversmith named Paul Revere rode through the night to warn American colonists that British soldiers were coming. Learn about his famous ride and why it became an important part of American history in this Social Studies Mini Spark.

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #66: Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride

2. Before you begin, imagine there are no phones, text messages, or computers. How would you quickly warn people about an emergency? Record at least 3 ways you might spread important news in the 1700s.

3. Watch the video about Paul Revere.

As you watch, record:

  • 5 important facts about Paul Revere.
  • 3 details about his famous midnight ride.
  • 1 question you still have after watching the video.

4. Read the Britannica Kids article about Paul Revere. Create a web diagram with Paul Revere in the center. Add at least 6 facts you learned about his life, career, and contributions to the American Revolution.

5. Choose A or B

A. Imagine you are Paul Revere on the night of April 18, 1775. Write a diary entry describing:

  • What you see and hear during your ride.
  • How you feel as you travel through the countryside.
  • Why your mission is important.
  • What you hope will happen when people receive your warning.

Include at least 5-8 sentences with details that make the reader feel like they are there with you.

B. Many people know Paul Revere’s name, but other riders also helped spread the warning. Answer this question in 3–5 complete sentences:

Why do you think some people become famous in history while others who helped are less remembered? Use evidence from the video and article to support your thinking.

6. Share your Social Studies mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

#65: The New Deal

Social Studies Enrichment

What should a government do when millions of people lose their jobs and struggle to afford food and housing? During the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced a series of programs called the New Deal to help Americans recover. Learn how these programs changed lives and decide whether you think they were successful in this Social Studies Mini Spark.

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #65: The New Deal

2. During the Great Depression, many Americans lost their jobs, homes, and savings. President Roosevelt’s New Deal created programs to provide jobs, support families, and help the economy recover. Before you begin, predict: What kinds of programs would you create to help people during a national crisis? Record 2+ ideas on your recording page.

3. Watch the video about the New Deal.

As you watch, record:

  • 5 important facts about the New Deal.
  • 3 programs or projects created during the New Deal.
  • 1 fact that surprised you.

4. Read the Khan Academy lesson about the New Deal and then choose A or B or C to complete.

A: Thinking Like a Historian. On your recording page, create a T-chart labeled:

Benefits of the New Deal Criticisms of the New Deal

Record at least 3 ideas in each column.

B: Creative Writing Challenge
Imagine you are a newspaper reporter living in 1935.

Write a short newspaper article (one paragraph) describing a New Deal program that has just arrived in your town. Include:

  • A headline
  • What the program does
  • Who it helps
  • How people in your town are reacting to it

Part C: Critical Thinking
Answer this question in 3–5 complete sentences:

Do you think the New Deal was a good way to help Americans during the Great Depression? Why or why not? Use evidence from both the video and the reading to support your answer.

5. Share your Social Studies mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

Check out these Social Studies mini sparks about other events during the Great Depression

#64: The History of March Madness

Social Studies Enrichment

Get caught up to speed on everything you need to know about the NCAA Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournament history, better known as March Madness in this mini spark.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies recording page: #64: March Madness History

2. Read this article that outlines the history of the men’s NCAA tournament.  There are five charts in the article. Record the titles/topics of each of the charts. Create a timeline on your recording page with 5-10 of the items that you find most impressive. If you prefer you can use a digital timeline creator.

3. Look over these two infographics and read the write up about the most watched championship March Madness game in history.  Record 10 number facts on your recording page.

4.  Watch this video that give you some tips on how to pick the perfect bracket. Write the tips given at the end on your record page.

5. To wrap up this mini spark, watch a video about the early history of the men’s tournament through 2013.  Make a history fact sheet. Ideas of what to include-important dates, tournament highlights, facts about players, locations of games, changes to the brackets and so on.

6.  Share your Social Studies mini spark recording page and your timeline with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#63: Falkland Isands

Social Studies Enrichment

The Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) are a remote South Atlantic archipelago. With rugged terrain and cliff-lined coasts, its hundreds of islands and islets are home to sheep farms and abundant birdlife. The capital, Stanley, sits on East Falkland, the largest island.  With only around 3,000 residents, the Falkland Islands are one of the most remote and least populous territories on Earth.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies recording page: #63: Falkland Islands

2. Study this map from the World Atlas website. On your recording page add

  • 5 island names
  • the ocean where they are located
  • the approximate latitude and longitude 
  • the capital 
  • the nearest continent and country (research required) 

2.   

3. Read this information page. Choose one detail to record for each section.

4. Divide your recording page into five sections. Read this article about 5 penguins found on the Falkland Islands. For each penguin, record 3 details.

5. Do further research about one of the penguin species. Create colorful fact page with 5+  facts that you found during your research. Include your sources on your fact page.

6.  Share your Social Studies mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#61: Dia de los Muertos

Social Studies Enrichment

Source: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/celebrations/article/day-of-the-dead

Many of you are VERY excited that Halloween is coming up? But, did you know that Halloween (or All Hallow’s Eve) is the night before Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)? The celebrations for each culture are woven together in interesting ways!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies spark recording page: #61: Dia de los Muertos

2. Read the following information and record 8-10 pieces of information on your recording page.

Day of the Dead combines the ancient Aztec custom of celebrating ancestors with All Souls’ Day, a holiday that Spanish invaders brought to Mexico starting in the early 1500s. The holiday, which is celebrated mostly in Mexico on November 1st and 2nd, is like a family reunion—except dead ancestors are the guests of honor. Day of the Dead is a joyful time that helps people remember the deceased and celebrate their memory.

First, people set up a candlelit altar in their homes so spirits can find their way back to their relatives. The altar also offers some of the favorite foods of the deceased—just in case they get hungry. Items that were important to the ancestors when they were alive, such as a favorite book or musical instrument, are placed on the altar as well.

Then it’s off to the graveyard for a big party. Families bring a huge feast to eat while they clean tombstones, sing songs, and talk to their ancestors. Parents might even introduce a baby to a grandparent who died before the baby was born.

And don’t forget the skeletons. During Day of the Dead, life-size papier-mâché skeletons and miniature plastic or clay skeletons are everywhere. Why? Mexicans honor their ancestors on Day of the Dead, but they’re also reminding themselves that death is just a part of life. Hanging out with skeletons reminds people that one day they will be skeletons—but not for a very long time!

The skeletons are posed doing all sorts of wacky things, such as playing guitar, taking a bath, or making tortillas. Apparently people aren’t the only ones who get to have fun on Day of the Dead!

3. Look over the pictures at National Geographic Kids. Choose one of the pictures and describe it in detail using 3-5 sentences.

4. Some of you may have seen the Disney movie, Coco! Click on the video below to see how Coco honors Dia de los Muertos. Watch the clip carefully. Write down 3 things you liked about the clip. Explain why you liked each thing. Write 2 suggestions for how the clip could be improved.

5. Share your social studies mini spark recording page and visual with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#60: Hidden Figures

Social Studies Enrichment, Uncategorized

“Hidden Figures” is a biographical book about four African American women who worked as mathematicians at NASA during the Space Race and played pivotal roles in the Apollo program. Their contributions were essential in advancing America’s space exploration efforts, particularly during the historic Apollo missions to the Moon

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #60: Hidden Figures

2. Record the names of the mathematicians you will learn about in this mini spark on your recording page: Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden.

3. Listen to Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race.  For each of these dates you hear in the story, pause the story and write a phrase about that date.

1943, 1945, 1951, 1953, (1950s), 1957, 1961, 1962, 1967, 1969

 

4. In 3+ sentences explain how Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden participated in some of NASA’s greatest successes. Use details from the story. Add your response to your recording page.

5. Read more about Katherine Johnson at this Wonderopolis page. Make a mini timeline on your recording sheet. Add 5 dates with information.

6. Share your social studies mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Check out the Mission to Mars badge and Space traveler badge at the EY Website.