Social Studies: People, Places and Environments

Pre-K-12: Standard 3

• Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of people, places and environments. The study of people, places and human-environment interactions assists learners as they create their spatial views and geographic perspectives of the world. Geographic concepts become central to learners' comprehension of global connections as they expand their knowledge of diverse cultures, both historical and contemporary.

National Council for the Social Studies, Expectations of Excellence: Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (Washington, D.C.: NCSS, 1994). This book may be purchased by calling 800-683-0812. Electronic copies of it are not available.

Source:Curriculum Standards for Social Studies

This interactive booklet about the Taj Mahal (or any landmark of choice) reveals a hidden page showing its location in the world. Using this creative tool, students can fold and unfold the pages to discover any concept in any given subject area.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

Figure F

Figure G

Supplies Used: Cardstock or Construction Paper, Colored Pencils or Pens, Glue, Scissors

The teacher will die-cut the materials for student use prior to the lesson.

1. Die-cut Woven Booklet Dies A and B from material of your choice (Figure A).
2. Lay the Booklet page lengthwise so the slits are running horizontally and the perforated lines run vertically. Weave one of the strips so it goes OVER the first piece of the Booklet, UNDER the center section and OVER the third section. Push this to one side (Figure B).
   
3. Weave the second strip so it goes UNDER the first piece of the Booklet page, OVER the center and UNDER the third section, filling in the remaining side.
   
4. Accordion-fold the Woven Booklet, creating a front and back cover with the woven pages in the center (Figure C).
   
5. Pull the cover and the back in opposite directions to create a full page with areas for writing down both sides of the Booklet and use the woven center for the first illustration (Figure D).
   
6. Accordion-fold the Booklet again. Reach inside and separate the two woven strips and open to reveal the hidden second illustration area (Figure E).
7. Die-cut the Taj Mahal #2 from two colors of construction paper. Place to create the first illustration (Figure D). Carefully cut to fit Taj Mahal within sections of each woven strip. Adhere pieces to create the first illustration. Adhere windows and door in contrasting color. The door will need to be cut in half to fit each side of center fold. (Figure F).
   
8. Die-cut the XL Asia from two colors of construction paper. Cut away India from one color and layer onto the subcontinent region of the second Asia. Adhere the pieces to embellish and highlight India. Place the embellished Continent to create the hidden second illustration (Figure E). Carefully cut to fit Asia within sections of each woven strip. Adhere pieces to create the hidden illustration (Figure G).