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Comprehension: Social Studies is a subject where despite the names, dates, and terms to learn we still want our students to think about what they are learning. We want them to think critically and generalize, evaluate, and apply this knowledge. 

1. KWL - Social Studies is a subject where pooling classroom knowledge can be helpful. When most students know a little and few students know a lot, a KWL is a way to peek everyones interest and prior knowledge.

2. ABC Brainstorm - Before having your students talk about a major topic, it is essential to activate their background knowledge about it. One way to do this is the ABC Brainstorm. The idea is meant to be fairly simple. Students try to think of a word or phrase associated with the topic, matched to each letter of the alphabet.

3. Time Lines-Time lines are easy graphic organizers to help students understand fact and information. They are easy to construct and interactive timelines are also available.

4. Other Graphic Organizers - Cause and Effect, Problem-Solution, and Compare and Contrast are also helpful for understanding and organizing text structure in Social Studies.

Vocabulary: Studying Morphemes, understanding word connotations, and Acronyms are all important in vocabulary in Social Studies. 

1. Word Study - Teaching students meaning of prefixes, suffixes, and base words will help them in Social Studies as well as other classes.      

     -Word Detective Activity: Students find connections to new social studies terms. Identify if they think any of these words might be related.

2. Connotations of Words - Studying word choice and point of view as shown by this word choice can help students be more critical readers. 

     -Fighting Words Activity: Give students list of words and have them indicated if they are negative, positive, or neutral. Students can discuss decisions with small groups and evaluate thinking.

3. Teaching Acronyms - An Acronym Board similar to a Word Wall works well for units with acronyms in it (CORE, ERA, HUD, etc.)

Other Vocabulary Strategies for Social Studies:

Read Write Think - Vocabulary

Writing: To help students to make connections, writing in Social Studies can be beneficial. It can help students self-assess understanding and synthesize what was learned. 

1. Quick Writes-Short quick writes can be formative assessment for both students and teachers. 

2. Journals - Journals are longer entries and can be used daily. Historical figure diaries and letters are good ways to help students relate to events. Blogs and emails can bring technology into the classroom in this format as well.

Journal Writing in Social Studies

Quick Writes for Social Studies

African Savannah Anticipation Guide

References:

Moore, D., Moore, S., Cunningham, P., & Cunningham, J.   Developing Readers and Writers in the Content Areas K-12 (4th ed.). Boston: Pearson.