Every book is a social studies book : how to meet standards with picture books, K-6 / Andrea S. Libresco, Jeannette Balantic, and Jonie C. Kipling.

"A Teacher Ideas Press book."

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Chapter 1: Introduction. Social studies is all around us -- Integrating social studies and literacy -- Nurturing citizens -- Organization of book -- From our classroom to yours -- Recommended books -- References -- Chapter 2: Culture. Piggybook by Anthony Browne -- The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss -- Apple Pie 4th of July by Janet S. Wong -- Recommended books -- References -- Chapter 3: Time, continuity, and change. When everybody wore a hat by William Steig -- A street through time by Anne Millard -- Someday by Alison McGhee and Peter Reynolds -- Recommended books -- References -- Chapter 4: People, places, and environments. The Wartville wizard by Don Madden -- My New York by Kathy Jakobsen -- What you know first by Patricia MacLachlan -- Recommended books -- Reference -- Chapter 5: Individual development and identity. Seven blind mice by Ed Young -- The Araboolies of Liberty Street by Sam Swope -- I've seen the Promised Land: The life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Walter Dean Myers -- Recommended books -- References -- Chapter 6: Individuals, groups, and institutions. The Librarian of Basra: The true story from Iraq by Jeannette Winter -- Freedom on the menu: The Greensboro Sit-ins by C. B. Weatherford -- Something beautiful by Sharon Dennis Wyeth -- Recommended books -- References -- Chapter 7: Power, authority, and governance. ¡Si, se pude! Yes we can! Janitor strike in L.A. by Diana Cohn -- Bloomers by Rhoda Blumberg -- We the kids by David Catrow -- Recommended books -- References -- Chapter 8: Production, distribution, and consumption. Chicken Sunday by Patricia Polacco -- Uncle Jed's barbershop by Margaree King Mitchell -- Fly away home by Eve Bunting -- Recommended books -- References -- Chapter 9: Science, technology, and society. Starry messenger: Galileo Galitei by Peter Sis -- Dotty inventions: And some real ones too by Roger McGough -- Letting swift river go by Jane Yolen -- Recommended books -- Reference -- Chapter 10: Global connections. Encounter by Jane Yolen -- If the world were a village: A book about the world's people by David J. Smith -- Silent music: A story of Baghdad by James Rumford -- Recommended books -- References -- Chapter 11: Civic ideals and practices. Yertle the turtle by Dr. Seuss -- The day Gogo went to vote by Elinor Batezat Sisulu -- Planting the trees of Kenya: The story of Wangari Maathai by Claire A. Nivola -- Recommended books -- References -- Chapter 12: Conclusions. Developing a social studies state of mind in ourselves and our students -- Next steps -- References -- Appendix A: Templates for creating a book -- Appendix B: Cartoons -- Appendix C: Social studies concepts and discussion questions chart -- Appendix D: Documents and artifacts -- Appendix E: Unit planning template -- Index.

After the No Child Left Behind Act went into effect, many school districts cut class time for social studies in favor of tested subjects like math and language arts. Some elementary teachers spend only 12 minutes per week teaching social studies. The good news is that social studies lessons can be incorporated into nearly any subject.

In order for today's children to succeed as adults, they need a solid foundation of life skills inculcated at a young age. Social studies is key to building this critical knowledge, yet less attention is being paid to social studies in elementary schools, even as this subject becomes more essential. The authors of this text have a solution: use picture books as dual-purpose texts that fulfill more than just language arts needs, and take the time dedicated to those lessons to simultaneously teach social studies.

Each chapter of this text is organized around one of the National Council for the Social Studies' Ten Thematic Strands, covering diverse and engaging topics ranging from community and individuality to science and technology. This book serves as a vital resource for classroom teachers, methods professors, staff developers, and curriculum writers who prioritize keeping social studies a part of the elementary school curriculum. --Book Jacket.