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Social Studies Lessons

The social studies portion of the PULSE curriculum provides important context for the understanding of science and making the science applicable to all students. These lessons appreciation for American history, geography, culture, government and world history. These learning cycles and lessons can also stand alone to teach important concepts to high school students. These language arts lessons provide the students with tools or skills that will aide them in these environmental health based major projects. The education standards prepared by the National Council for the Social Studies were used to allign the lessons.

The National Standards for Social Studies Teachers education standards can be viewed at: http://www.socialstudies.org/standards/

The lessons address many of the NCSS standards and specifically emphasized the following areas:

• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking
• Technology
• Research skills
• Presentations
• Persuasion

Lessons in Alphabetical order: A-H, I-S, T-Y.
Mini-Unit/lesson
Description of Mini-Unit/Lesson
Tanning Teens Students explore the potential role of government in monitoring tanning devices used by teens.
The 2 sides of America
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The Black Death Epidemic of the 14th Century --
As weather has captivated headlines, more people are becoming aware of the fragile nature of our ecosystem and how man can upset the balance of nature. This lesson will engage students in the climate change debate and instill an awareness of the interdependence of our physical environment.
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The Earth as an Orange Maps provide an essential tool to learn about the world. Students will compare two types of world maps: two-dimensional and cylindrical.
Students will participate in an inquiry lesson where they explore the Department of Health and Human Services as an example of how the government supports health in America.
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The Human and Animal Connection! --
The M & M Study Students will participate in an imaginary clinical trial using M&M’s. They will also participate in a survey on needs for new treatments for patients
The Middle Ages In Europe --
The Mystery Epidemic Students try to identify a mystery illness that is afflicting the country as they listen to clues. Once they have identified the disease they identify the role of government in ending the epidemic.
The Parts Make up the Whole --
The Power Grab What are the major concerns of the Executive Branch regarding energy policy and its impact on the environment?
The Reality of War --
The Secret is Out Students will participate in an inquiry lesson using the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and the timeline, “History of U.S. Secret Human Experimentation”
The Supremes Students will explore the role of the Supreme Court in the justice system by looking at actual cases that have been ruled on by the Supreme Court. They will also look at the route that cases take in order to reach the Supreme Court and then appreciate the impact that Supreme Court decisions have on their rights and the laws passed by congress.
The UFW & Pesticides --
This Land is My Land , That Land is Your Land --
Timeline of Medical Innovations and Breakthroughs --
Today --
Toxic Torts Introduce the concept of toxic torts and the role courts play in the enforcement of environmental laws.
Two World Wars --
Unity and the United Nations --
Us and Them --
Voluntary International Migration --
WAR Child Canada's : GENOCIDE --
Warring Philosophies: The Cold War --
Water: The Indispensable Resource This lesson will make students aware of how precious water is and build an understanding of the impact it has on the development of societies.
What a Disaster! Students will research one of the disasters identified by the class in the previous engage lesson in order to explore the question: How does where you live influence your quality of life and the ability to cope with natural and human induced disasters?
What are the components of War? --
What are Your Human Rights? : Post World War II and Human Rights --
What is an Iron Triangle? Students will discuss and understand how interest groups, congress and the executive branch play a role in policy making to make up the Iron Triangle
What is Migration --
What is War? --
What makes the nation go round? --
What’s in the Water? Students will apply the Clean Water Act as an example of Federalism to understand how the Federal and State Governments enforce and implement laws.
What’s In Your City’s Future? --
When Diseases become Epidemic! --
Where do you Live? --
Where in the world did this come from? --
Who Am I? This lesson will allow students to explore the major countries that have been affected by arsenic contamination in order to gain an understanding of their physical and cultural traits. This background information will allow students to develop an understanding of how each society must deal with the issue of contaminated drinking water and its impact on their survival.
Who has the Biggest Voice What interest groups represent the environment and how do they conflict with the coal and nuclear Industry
Who has the Greatest Voice? Students will take on the role of a senate committee member, a scientist, or member of a special interest group.
Each student will prepare to participate in a mock senate hearing by researching their point of view and preparing a persuasive presentation to the committee about a clinical trial.
Why Explore? --
Why study War? --
Why Trade? The Positive and Negative Effects of Trade --
Working 9-5 --
Your Favorite Hobbies --
Your World: Cleaning Up the Mess --
Youth Voices : Fair Access to Resource and Quality of Life --

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-- A-H, I-S --


PULSE is a project of the Community Outreach and Education Program of the Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center and is funded by:


an NIH/NCRR award #16260-01A1
The Community Outreach and Education Program is part of the Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center: an NIEHS Award

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Supported by NIEHS grant # ES06694

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Last update: March 7, 2007 		  Page Content: Rachel Hughes
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