Social Studies Activities | Teachable Moments

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Grades: PreK-K, Grades 1-3, Grades 4-5, Grown-Ups and Educators

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Become a Volunteer

City Mission in Washington, PA is a homeless shelter that serves nearly 175 residents including men, women, children and veterans. Leah and Beckett Dietrich explain how volunteering can help you learn new skills and become connected to a community while making a difference.

Dumplings Around the World

Cultural food traditions are preserved by handing them down from one generation to the next. Rachel Sew of the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) – Pittsburgh shares a quick recipe of her family’s tradition of making dumplings.

Your Voice, Your Vote

It’s all about choices: Joe Harmon, a civics teacher at Redbank Valley High School, teaches us how to prepare to vote by using the game “Cast Your Vote.” The more you learn, the better informed you are!

History and Street Names

Joe Welch, North Hills Middle School American History and Social Studies teacher, shows how a neighborhood walk observing street name signs can lead to a history lesson.

A Thyme-ly Lesson

Our association with herbs goes back thousands of years. Gardener Boaz Frankel shows us common herbs found in our gardens and explains some more unusual uses. It’s a “history meets herbs” kind of Teachable Moment.

Support Materials

Voting – Extension Resource
Thyme Lesson – Extension Resource
History and Street Names – Extension Resource
Dumplings Around the World – Extension Resource
Become a Volunteer – Extension Resource

About

This media gallery of Teachable Moments videos focuses on social studies activities. Try out these activities on your own and check out the resources for more ways to extend the learning.

iQ: smartparent Teachable Moments are short vignettes that “extend the learning” at home or in the classroom with additional information, resources, and ideas in the form of PDFs

iQ: smartparent is an Emmy Award-winning program about parenting in the digital age. WQED-TV created a television series and social network for parents to empower them with new knowledge, tools, and abilities to successfully guide their children in the use of digital media and technology. Our show is developed in partnership with WQED’s award-winning education, production, and interactive teams.

Credits: WQED

Standards

Civics & Government (5.1–5.3)

5.1 Principles & Documents of Government

5.1.K.A / 5.1.1.A / 5.1.2.A / 5.1.3.A / 5.1.4.A / 5.1.5.A — Identify symbols and ideas of American democracy
5.1.K.C–5.1.5.C — Identify and explain rules, fairness, and responsibility

5.2 Rights & Responsibilities of Citizenship

5.2.K.A–5.2.5.A — Identify and practice responsible citizenship
5.2.K.C–5.2.5.C — Identify conflict‑resolution strategies

5.3 How Government Works

5.3.K.A–5.3.5.A — Identify roles of community helpers and leaders

Geography (7.1–7.4)

7.1 Basic Geographic Literacy

7.1.K.A–7.1.5.A — Identify and describe places and spaces

7.2 Physical Characteristics of Places

7.2.K.A–7.2.5.A — Identify physical characteristics of places

7.3 Human Characteristics of Places

7.3.K.A–7.3.5.A — Identify human characteristics of places

7.4 Human–Environment Interaction

7.4.K.A–7.4.5.A — Describe how people use and adapt to their environment

History (8.1–8.4)

8.1 Historical Analysis & Skills

8.1.K.A–8.1.5.A — Identify chronological events and sequence
8.1.K.B–8.1.5.B — Use primary/secondary sources

8.2 Pennsylvania History / 8.3 U.S. History / 8.4 World History

8.2.K.A–8.2.5.A — Identify individuals and groups who shaped communities
8.3.K.A–8.3.5.A — Identify important people and events in U.S. history

Economics (6.1–6.5)

6.1 Scarcity & Choice

6.1.K.A–6.1.5.A — Identify wants, needs, and choices

6.2 Markets & Economic Systems

6.2.K.A–6.2.5.A — Identify goods, services, and community roles

6.3 Functions of Government

6.3.K.A–6.3.5.A — Identify government-provided goods and services

6.5 Work & Earnings

6.5.K.A–6.5.5.A — Identify different jobs and skills