Check out this printable graphic organizer/blank timeline I added on my Teachers Pay Teachers store. Yes, it’s still FREE! Perfect for history lessons, summarizing stories, or describing science observations!
I like using projects year after year. It makes my life easier. This is especially true with holiday projects. There are so many other things to do and update each year, that it’s impossible to keep up. My friend, who teaches kindergarten, recently shared this idea:
In the spirit of working smarter (not harder), I created this graphic organizer to be used year after year, no matter what animal is the animal of the year for Chinese New Year! After talking about what Chinese New Year is, have the kids draw a picture of that year’s animal, and then write ideas about what that animal can do, has and is (see my friend’s example above). 
Click here to download the free PDF: Chinese New Year – Animal of the Year
I recently saw another variation on this same note-taking organizer and decided to make one with my own Squarehead spin! So, I present to you (drum roll please…) my 3-2-1 notes graphic organizer! Students will write 3 things they learned, 2 questions they still have and 1 picture illustrating understanding (teacher can specify what they should draw if needed).
Click here to download the free PDF: 321 Notes – graphic organizer
Arizona Social Studies Strand 3 (Civics/Government) includes a study of the state. For example, in first grade, concept 1/PO 6 says “Recognize state symbols of Arizona (e.g., bird, flower, tree, flag).” Here’s my state profile page (called “My State Rocks!”) that can be used to learn about any state. There’s a space to color in your state on the map and draw pictures of state symbols (tree, flower, etc.).
World War 2 confuses me. There are so many players, and so many battles and strategic moves, that it’s easy to get them all jumbled up. I’m trying new things to help keep all the facts straight. Have your kids fill out this social studies graphic organizer and draw each country’s flag in the box. This might help them visualize the “teams” involved.
Click here for the free printable PDF: Countries Involved in World War 2 graphic organizer
It’s official. I love using graphic organizers for teaching social studies. This time, I’m having my students teach each other about the causes of World War 2. Each kid will teach 3 other students. They can use their entire sheet for the first person they teach. When they teach the second person, they have to fold the paper so they can’t see the words, but they can use their drawings. For the final person, they can’t use their paper at all.
Click here for the free printable PDF: Causes of World War 2 graphic organizer
Yay for graphic organizers! I’m getting good at them. I’m finding that the key is to make them simple so that the format doesn’t distract kids. Anyway, here’s my newest social studies graphic organizer. It’s about the causes of World War 1. It’s similar to the other social studies graphic organizers I’ve made.
Click here for the free printable PDF: Causes of World War 1 graphic organizer
I’ve had the most success teaching social studies when I let my students take notes and draw pictures of the event we’re learning about. I’ve made a simple graphic organizer to teach/summarize causes of the War of 1812 (just like I made a graphic organizer of the causes of the American Revolutionary War). This time I’m going to have my students find the answers from the textbook in groups.
Click here for the free printable PDF: Causes of the War of 1812 graphic organizer
Be sure to check out my first giveaway!
Squarehead Teachers 