Social Studies Read Alouds for the Primary Classroom

I love including read alouds in my instruction in all subjects. I love to do read alouds during social
studies very much. If you are looking
for some great read alouds to teach social studies…you are in the right place! I have compiled a list of 15 read alouds that
are perfect to accompany your social studies lessons this year.

Why should
I read social studies books to my class?

Read alouds bring student learning to life. Students are able to see real world pictures
and gain new knowledge through visuals and text. It is very beneficial for students to be able
to see places and things that they haven’t seen before. For example, if you are teaching about
landforms, you may have a student that has never seen a mountain. By reading a book about landforms and showing
real world pictures, the student is able to place a visual image with this
vocabulary word.

What are
some teaching strategies that are good for me to use with social studies?

1. Use photographs

This helps student to see visual images that can help deepen
their understanding of social studies content that may not be familiar to them.

Examples-pictures of famous people, rivers, families

2. Use real world objects

This strategy allows your lessons to be hands on even during
social studies. You can bring in items
to help students get a better understanding of social studies academic
vocabulary.

Examples- globes, artifacts

3. Integrating literacy in social studies

You can read a variety of different books that give students
the opportunity to use their reading comprehension skills in social
studies. You can include writing
activities with your lessons to encourage your students to write about the
social studies ideas you have taught.

Examples-responding to a social studies read aloud with writing

4. Building Background Knowledge

This allows you to gain knowledge about your students already
know about different social studies topics.

Examples- What do you already know about citizenship?

5. Class Discussions and Accountable Talk

Encourages students to talk about their social studies
learning. They can hold conversations
with partners and groups.

Examples- You
can get them started by giving them an accountable talk stem such as Rosa parks
is important because ______.

6. Reflection Activity

You should close out all lessons with reflection time. This allows students time to process their
new learning. You can have them turn and
talk with a partner and share what they learned. You can pick a few students to share with the
class.

Examples- What did I learn today
anchor chart, exit tickets, journal

What are some great read alouds for social studies?

Below you will find 15 read alouds that are perfect for social studies in the primary classroom. For each book, I will list the title, author, an activity
idea, and my social studies unit that matches well with 1 of my 15 units from my Social Studies Bundle.

1. Looking
at Maps and Globes by Rebecca Olien

Activity: Compare maps
and globes for similarities and differences, labeling
a map and globe freebie (you will need to download the preview)

You can view the Geography Unit here!

2. What to
Wear Dressing up Around the World by Maya Ajmera, Elise Derstine, and Cynthia
Pon

Activity: pebblego research and view different cultures of
the world, give a presentation to the class with the information

You can view the World Culture Unit here!

3.
Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks by Margaret Sutherland

Activity: I am thankful for ____ writing activity

You can view the Holidays Unit here!

4. School
Long Ago and Today by Sally Lee
(The other titles in this set include Food, Communication, and
Transportation Long Ago and Today)

Activity: venn diagram comparing school in the past and
school now

You can view the Long Ago and Today Unit here!

5. Living
in Urban Communities by Kristin Sterling

(The other
titles in this set include Living in Rural and Suburban Communities)

Activity: foldable with headings urban, suburban, and rural
and write facts for each

You can view the Living Environments Unit here!

6. I am a
Good Citizen by Sharon Coan

Activity: Make a t-chart with the headers school, community,
and home and have students list ways they can be a good citizen in each of
these locations

You can view the Good Citizenship Unit here!