SOCIAL
STUDIES
Today’s students have grown up with technology at their fingertips and they often use technology and games to solve problems, interact socially, and to be entertained.
Video games provide students with a digital world to explore various abstract ideas and concepts that are relevant to the Social Studies curriculum.
GAMIFICATION RESOURCES TO ENHANCE SOCIAL STUDIES LEARNING...
1. Recycle
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Grade Levels: 1-4
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Recycle is a game that shows students how easy it is to recycle. Students have three minutes to recycle as many items as possible into the plastic, metal, and paper containers.
Curriculum Connections:
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Grade 1-4
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create a plan that outlines some specific ways in which they can responsibly interact with the built and/or natural environment in the local community
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identify some of the services in the com- munity for which the government is responsible
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describe some key actions taken by both industries and citizens to address the need for more sustainable use of land and resources
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Meaningful Implementation:
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Recycling can be a big problem in an elementary school where things get tossed into the wrong bin without much thought or care.
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If a teacher or school administrator noticed this to be a problem, this game would allow students to learn how to properly sort and dispose of garbage, plastics, and paper.
2. International Pizza Delivery
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Grade Levels: 7-8
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In this game, players must delivery pizzas to all corners of the world using their latitude and longitude skills. The challenge is to deliver as many pizzas as possible in three minutes.
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https://mrnussbaum.com/international-pizza-delivery-online-game
Curriculum Connections:
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Grade 7 & 8
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identify the location and describe the physical characteristics of various landforms
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demonstrate the ability to extract information from and analyze topographical maps
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Meaningful Implementation:
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This game would be a great way for students to practice how to read coordinates on a map so that specific locations can be found.
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This game would be a great “filler” game for a Social Studies classroom, meaning if a student finished their work, or needed practice with spelling or typing, they could play it.
3. Totem Pole Maker
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Grade Levels: 1-3
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Students make their own totem poles while learning about the meanings associated with each piece of the totem pole, they pick. Students can then print out their totem pole along with a description of their symbolism.
Curriculum Connections:
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It is essential that learning activities and materials used to support Indigenous education are authentic and accurate and do not perpetuate culturally and historically inaccurate ideas and understandings.
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It is important for educators and schools to select resources that portray the uniqueness of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit histories, perspectives, and world views authentically and respectfully.
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Raises awareness about First Nation, Métis, and Inuit cultures, histories, perspectives, and contributions among all students in Ontario schools
Meaningful Implementation:
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As you can print the Totem Poles off, having students create these and then have them up on a bulletin board would be an eye-catcher for all that see it. This would be a great class activity to do during Social Studies.
4. Country Toad
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Grade Levels: 6-8
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Practice learning countries and their capital cities.
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https://www.mathplayground.com/learning_arcade_toad_hop.html
Curriculum Connections:
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Although students are not required to learn the capitals of countries around the world at any point in their elementary or secondary education, this game is a great way to learn new knowledge in a fun way.
Meaningful Implementation:
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An opportunity to play this game could come when there is time to fill after a student has completed their seatword or a quiz/test.
5. Map of Canada
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Grade Levels: 1-4
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Have fun piecing together the Can Geo Kids Map of Canada Puzzle and then match each of the provinces and territories flag to its correct location.
Curriculum Connections:
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Identify Canada’s provinces and territories and their capital cities, and describe them with reference to their location
Meaningful Implementation:
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An opportunity to play this game could come when there is time to fill after a student has completed their seatwork or a quiz/test.
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Literacy Centres in both the primary and junior grade levels is an effective way for students to learn different literacy skills both individually and in small groups. Centres, regardless of subject area, also allow for differentiated learning as the skills levels in any grade may vary. This game could be played, along with other language/literacy games, at the Tech Literacy Centre where students could access the game on iPads, computers or Chromebooks.
6. WordSearch
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Grade Levels: 3-6
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Various different Canadian Themed WordSearches for various levels of learning.
Curriculum Connections:
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Identify provinces, territories, and capital cities of each
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Identify various aspects of maps including cardinal directions, legend, etc.
Meaningful Implementation:
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This game would be a great “filler” game for a Social Studies classroom, meaning if a student finished their work, or needed practice with spelling or typing, they could play it.
FURTHER SUBJECT-SPECIFIC RESEARCH...
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Gamification In The Social Studies Classroom
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Gamifying Your Social Studies Classroom
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Gamified Social Studies Takes Off in Fantasy Geopolitics
