Social studies helps students better understand their world and the people, events, and ideas that have helped shape it. Through meaningful exploration of history, civics, and related topics, students can build knowledge while developing skills for thinking critically about the past and present. Explore this collection of social studies articles and resources for teaching strategies, classroom ideas and activities.
Social Studies Resources for Teachers
Try these 10 Declaration of Independence activity and lesson plan ideas to explore key ideas and the historical significance of this foundational historical document.
What skills can we give students that AI can’t replace? Explore how oral communication skills are one way students can set themselves apart in an AI world.
Download these fun Black History Month activities for elementary and middle school students to teach your class about African American history.
Explore our Bill of Rights activity and lesson plan idea to engage students in civic learning through persuasive writing.
Celebrate Juneteenth in the classroom. Explore Juneteenth activities and lesson plans for elementary, middle school, and high school students.
Looking for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month ideas? We've got you covered with activities spanning Grades Pre-K–12.
Use these Women’s History Month books for elementary students and activities to teach about women’s contributions to history.
Use these 9 Presidents’ Day lesson plans and activities for middle and high school classrooms to foster engaged and informed citizens.
Download this absolute monarchy lesson plan to teach your students about rulers including Frederick the Great and Louis XIV.
Download these Code of Hammurabi activity and lesson plan resources to teach students the context surrounding the creation of the code of laws.
Known for its architecture, democratic system of government, and impact on science and the arts, ancient Greece is an important topic often covered in middle and high school social studies.
Use these downloadable resources to teach students about Charlemagne and the Early Middle Ages.
Why is public speaking important for students? Teaching oral communication can improve your classroom activities and equip students with lifelong skills.
Download our Protestant Reformation lesson plan to teach your students about this period of upheaval in Europe. Then, use the Protestant Reformation activities for middle school and high school to encourage critical thinking through writing and primary source analysis.
Use these Cold War lesson plans and activities for middle school and high school to teach students about the decades-long period of geopolitical tensions between the United States and Soviet Union.
Explore flag day activities for elementary students to teach your class about the symbolism behind flags and the various themes they may represent.
Use these Memorial Day classroom activities for elementary and middle school students to honor those who sacrificed for their country.
Bring the experiences of U.S. military service members to life for your students with our high school Veterans Day activities and lesson plan ideas.
Use our Renaissance lesson plan and activities for middle school and high school to teach your students about this era of cultural “rebirth” in the 14th to 17th centuries.
Use this Age of Imperialism lesson plan to teach students about the actions taken by Europe and the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to acquire new territories.
Teach students about a key figure in the civil rights movement with this Rosa Parks lesson plan. Teach them about the legacy she left behind with these Rosa Parks activities.
Explore 8 Martin Luther King Jr. project ideas and activities to honor MLK and his contributions to the civil rights movement.
These 10 Women’s History Month activities for elementary students showcase women who are making a difference. Find free downloadables and easy ideas.
Inauguration Day is January 20. These presidential inauguration activities for students can be integrated into social studies or language arts lessons and used in remote or in-person classrooms.
Use these National Hispanic Heritage Month activities and lesson ideas to honor Hispanic American contributions and influences in our society.
Use this history of political parties lesson plan and activity to teach your students about how the U.S. political system in time for the 2020 presidential election.
Use this Navajo Code Talkers lesson plan to explore history and how we can take action to preserve Native American languages today.
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Learn more about HMH Social Studies for Grades 6–12, which presents the rich, endlessly inventive story of our world, challenging students to dig deep into the past.
Boost engagement with these proven and practical tips from real classroom coaches.
