Social studies is a popular subject to have students show their learning with Book Creator. In this book. Dr. Monica Burns shares 15 ideas that you can take away and implement with your students.

15 Social Studies Projects for Book Creator Classrooms

Social Studies Projects for the Book Creator Classroom

<a href="bookcreator://page/wax0IuXMSVeFU1eblfN2SQ/left">Interactive Textbooks</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/wjANQ21yRdGlwEUI9wBMuw/left">Content Area Books</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/pUIHGL5XT4GrNEHQgqAH5w/left">Create a Timeline</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/QoToaD34TGSoNtl3HbZG_g/left">Retell History with Comics</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/Hu68aVmVRwq2T1UEufPsUQ/left">Maps Tell Stories</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/SJyeu5L3TSqfA_DYc3YDHA/left">Imaginary Country Project</a>

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<a href="bookcreator://page/qrAw3iMqS0qo788-XCVDrw/left">Collaborative Class Capsule</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/x-HCrtJDTjqMD5E4EWlkjg/left">Social Change Poetry</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/-oMT0wSzTg-T44a7f3coZA/left">Then and Now Community Profiles</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/2wPkijSGRkS3Uvrp7vUw7w/left">Historical Journal Entries&nbsp;</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/soBcsvwKR_KHGEAFn1CYoA/left">Researching Your Town</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/UvJk3LwmTqqpZHuqBOsWoQ/left">Mock Interviews</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/NHK48O7AT6mzE_S2kaRjFQ/left">Guidebooks</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/Wp1Z7U3wTYmnKktzPos-Nw/left">Compare and Contrast</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/Pm6rIYWqQUyAOBZ2NAstAg/left">Historical Fiction</a>

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<a href="bookcreator://page/-23ozgNUSX6l08QfU81PEA/left">&#60; Back to contents</a>

With Book Creator students can make side-by-side profiles of their community.

Whether your town is full of historical markers or your before and after pictures are only a few decades apart, students can examine what their community looked like in the past. Younger students learning about the passage of time and older students studying a specific time period can both dive into this project. You might ask students to include:

This type of community profile can be paired with a community walk or field trip to a notable space. Students can snap pictures of specific locations as if they are on a scavenger hunt. If you know that there are great images from 100, 50 or 10 years ago of particular locations in your community, steer students towards that location during your field trip. If you are not studying your local history with students, who not try out this project idea with another area of the world? Museums and historical societies often have photographs and paintings that show off a particular spot.

A photograph they have taken of a current space A photograph from a local historical society of that same space A description of changes that have taken place A timeline to show what events happened between the two moments A prediction for how the current space might look in the future A description of the impact this space had then and now

In this screenshot, you can see a template you might give to students to help them set up this type of project.

Historical Journal Entries

Students can create journal entries that reflect the perspective of a historical time period.

Journal writing comes into play in many periods of history. Although we often read excerpts from notable historical figures, everyday people have experiences that were unique to that time period. After learning about a period in history, ask students to write a journal entry from the perspective of a person living during that time.

Students can write from the perspective of someone with a specific role in a community, such as a doctor, mayor, midwife, or roles that fit the historical period and location you are studying with students. When thinking about the different roles within a historical time period, you may want to have a conversation on the impact of gender, race and class on these roles.&#160; Pairing journal entries with a specific historical period or moment in history can help students think about what life was like during that time. You can focus in on one event and have students write journal entries from the perspective of someone both before, during and after the notable moment in history.

Students can create an interactive book that includes journal entries written from a historical perspective. You might ask students to include:

A series of entries with a start and end date An audio recording for each journal entry A standard format for including the date/location of the entry Connection to their own research on the time period&#160; A link to resources about that time period A mention of historical figures they may have interacted with

In this screenshot, you can see an example of a journal entry page that includes space for the date as well as an audio recording.

Embed maps on a page to connect to the story of a place.

How does the geography of a region impact events that have taken place there? Do geographic features influence the way people live in a certain place of the world? You can tackle these questions with students in your classroom as they view maps and embed maps on the interactive pages of a Book Creator book.

In this type of activity, you might ask students to pick a place in the world they would like to learn more about. Alternatively, you might set some parameters such as a focus area (e.g. a country) or focus type of region (e.g. desert). Then students can make one page for a collaborative ebook that captures their observations and summarizes how geography impacts the way people live. This type of project can require students to apply domain-specific vocabulary to an authentic task. Students can use words connected to your learning that describe the geography of a region. Once students have finished creating their page, they can share their books with other students in your school or connect with a different part of the world through video conferencing.

Students can create a book to show how maps tell stories and help us learn about a place. You might ask students to include:

An embedded map A satellite view of a map Sentences that explain how geography influences how people live An audio recording explaining their observations A video reflection including a summary of their research Colors that complement the geography of a region

In this screenshot, you can see how Book Creator lets students search for and embed a map of any place in the world using Google Maps.&#160;

Abbey Thomas encourages students to become the tour guide for their community.

Anyone who has planned a trip to a new place knows the power of a guidebook. It provides information on a place to help new visitors see all the sites. This type of book can spotlight the special experiences a visitor can have and every wonderful thing about that place. Abbey Thomas shared this idea in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/bookcreator/">Book Creator Facebook group</a>.

Students can use their research on a place to create a tour of their community or another spot in the world. To help gather information they can conduct interviews. Students can interview someone local if they are creating a guidebook of their community. Alternatively they might use a video conferencing tool like Skype to interview someone who lives in another part of the world they are spotlighting. Encourage students to look at guidebooks for ideas on formatting and layout. Guidebooks often have special tips peppered across different pages. You may ask students to include a textbook with a tip on each page of their guidebook, similar to a &#8220;fun fact&#8221; about the place they are profiling.

Students can create a guidebook to help a reader prepare a visit to a new place. You might ask students to include:

A map of a walking tour Food they should try during their visit A list of historical places Links to tourism sites or websites with community information&#160; Tips for traveling from another place to this destination Strategies for visiting during different seasons

In this screenshot, you can see an example of a cover of a guidebook that includes a map of the spotlight place.

Narrative writing can help students bring different moments of history to life.

A vignette is a short piece of writing that looks at a small moment in time. Students can each write a piece of historical fiction about a small moment in history. They can use what they have learned through research about a time period, to write a narrative that tells an imagined story based on facts. Students can each include their short writing piece in a collaborative book.

Before students start writing their vignette provide plenty of examples for them to explore. You might look at a book by Eve Bunting for inspiration. Students can use what they know about narrative writing and historical fiction to identify the elements they want to include in their piece. Provide time for students to give feedback to their peers on their writing. A collaborative class book can include a combination of pages contributed by each student. You might want to set up a clear structure for this type of activity or encourage students to choose a mentor text to help inspire their writing. Students can also include links within their story to learn more about the places or events they reference.

Students can write a vignette to include in a class book of historical fiction stories. You might ask students to include:

A setting based on historical accounts Characters based on people who lived during that time A picture that helps bring their story to life A clear beginning, middle and end Elements of historical fiction An audio recording with a narration of the story

In this screenshot, you can see an example cover for a book that collects a series of vignettes on one period in history.

Retell History with Comics

Students can use the Comics feature in Book Creator to retell a moment in history.

Comic books tell stories in sequence, spotlight dialogue, emphasize the importance of setting, and helps students bring characters to life. Students can create comics using Book Creator that retell small moments in history. This type of writing activity will require students to research, brainstorm, draft and publish a comic book on a specific topic.

This type of activity requires students to have an understanding of narrative writing concepts. In an early elementary classroom, this could be as simple as identifying the beginning, middle and end of a story. In a middle or high school classroom, you may want students to write a paragraph that corresponds with each page with research that supports their decisions as writers. Before students create their comic book retells, you may want to share examples of comic books so they can review the techniques writers use. Once students have a chance to dive into these exemplars, ask them to create a list of the features comic book writers use to tell stories. This list could transfer into a checklist for your students&#8217; books.

Students can create a comic book that tells a story of a special moment in history. You might ask students to include:

Cells that show off different settings Captions that explain actions taking place Talk bubbles to show imagined dialogue Bold text that shows off action words&#160; A color palette connected to that period in history Illustrations or photographs

In this example of a comic book page template, the layout is set up to include a variety of comic features that can help students retell a moment in history.

Imaginary Country Project

Debbie Blackwell&#8217;s students created their own country to feature in Book Creator.

When students learn about new countries they can better understand that each country is unique. Students can also explore how every country has a flag, symbols, and other things in common. In the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/bookcreator/">Book Creator Facebook group</a>, Debbie Blackwell shared a successful project she introduced to her students. You can tailor this idea to your own class!&#160;

As you design this activity for your students, consider the features or characteristics of countries you have studied so far this school year. Ask students to include the same features in their book about their own imaginary country. You might ask students to create a mock interview with someone who lives there. In addition to having students each create their own book, you might ask students to create their own page that can be part of a class book. This page could follow a template that you have designed. Alternatively, you might create a checklist for students so they know exactly what information to include in their book.

Students can create a book to show off a &#8220;new&#8221; country they have dreamed up. You might ask students to include:

A drawing of their country A history or list of holidays they celebrate An origin story or myth A drawing of a flag A recording of music from the imaginary place A description of geographic landforms

In this screenshot, you can see how a template can be used to help students create their imaginary country.

Extend a biography study by asking students to create a mock interview with a historical figure.

When students read biographies or memoirs they learn about the life of a notable person in history. Not all questions are addressed or answered in an autobiography, primary source document, or in other research students might conduct. 

In addition to forming questions related to this person&#8217;s accomplishments, ask students to make connections to contemporaries. They might ask about their historical figure&#8217;s friendship with another notable person of their time. This strategy helps students make connections within and across different periods of history. If your students aren&#8217;t reading multiple biographies of a historical figure, you may want to direct them to short texts instead. Another option is to explore short videos that profile different historical figures. <a href="https://classtechtips.com/2018/12/06/ted-ed-videos/">TED-Ed</a> is one example of a free resource with explainer videos that introduce students to concepts related to social studies and events in history.

Students can create a mock interview with questions and answers to show what they have learned about someone&#8230;or what they wish they could find out! You might ask students to include:

A summary of a biography they have read Links to learn more about the person A Q&#38;A format with a question on one page and answer on the other page A research connection to support the answers they wrote for their interview&#160; An audio recording that goes along with their Q&#38;A Mentions of contemporaries in their questions and answers

In this screenshot, you can see an example of Q&#38;A pages that include space for students to add an image and audio recording too.

Take what students know about two places to compare and contrast them both.

Venn diagrams are a popular type of graphic organizer. They are used to compare and contrast different things. When students learn about two events in history, notable places, or people of interest, they can compare and contrast both. Using the Shape tool in Book Creator, students can make overlapping circles to create a Venn Diagram.&#160;

When students compare two events in history, you might ask them to look at the same time period in different parts of the world. Although an event took place in different locations, there might be similarities for students to observe. If your students are creating pages for a collaborative project you might have them work in partnerships. If students create Venn Diagrams to compare and contrast two different locations, you might want them to include a particular set of domain-specific vocabulary in their response. Share this list of words early on so students can ask clarifying questions or review the terms before filling in their Venn Diagrams.

Students can compare or contrast two things by looking for similarities and differences. You might ask students to include:

Circles with colors connected to each item Clear labels for their topics Audio recordings to expand on their graphic organizer A paragraph that provides more information on the topic Links to resources for further reading Images that bring their information to life

In this screenshot, you can see a template with interlocking circles that uses the Shape tool in Book Creator.

Join me as we explore social studies projects for students using Book Creator!

How do your students share their learning in your social studies classroom? Whether you’re working with elementary, middle, or high school students, digital books are a fantastic way for kids to show what they know. This book contains 15 projects you can tailor to your learning goals and student needs this school year. You’ll find stories from Book Creator Ambassadors and lesson ideas perfect for Chromebook and iPad classrooms! A few tips:

Hello there. I am very passionate about the power of Social Studies education. Whether you're focusing on History, Economics,

Communities or any topic. As a former New York City public school teacher, I tried my best to include cross-curricular connections wherever I

could. From read aloud books that included historical fiction topics to writing from the perspective of historical figures, you can make Social Studies

come to life with digital tools. This book includes references to Book Creator ambassador stories with links to examples, blog posts

and extra information. I can't wait to see what you create with your students this year.

Here is a list of a few blog posts with more social studies resources:

Make your own version of a student project so your class understands what you&#8217;d like them to include in their final project. Work together with students to create a checklist for what should be included in their book so students have ownership of their work. Take a moment to review your speaking and listening standards and incorporate those expectations into your task development.

<a href="https://classtechtips.com/2017/11/28/ipad-apps-for-social-studies/">20 iPad Apps for Social Studies Classrooms</a> <a href="https://classtechtips.com/2017/01/15/social-studies-reading-passages-websites-apps/">11 Websites and Apps for Social Studies Reading Passages</a>

Share your ideas for using Book Creator in the classroom using the hashtag <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BookCreator?src=hash">#BookCreator</a> or tagging <a href="https://twitter.com/BookCreatorApp">@BookCreatorApp</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/ClassTechTips">@ClassTechTips</a> on social media!

Use the Shape tool in Book Creator to design timelines of historical events.

Placing events in sequence and determining which events are important enough for a timeline, are two essential critical thinking skills. The Shapes tool in Book Creator lets students combine a variety of shapes together. This is a great way to have students create their own timeline of a special event in history, or the life of a notable historical figure.

With this type of project, you might ask students to choose one large moment in history that spans a set amount of time. Having a clear start and end can help students identify the important moments in between. For example, you might have students create a timeline for an event like a political campaign and start with a candidate&#8217;s announcement and end with Election Day.&#160; A timeline can also be part of a spotlight of a historical figure. You might ask students to research about the life of someone like Sojourner Truth or Susan B. Anthony. Then they can identify five to ten significant moments in their life and add them to their timeline. This type of activity might span multiple pages or be part of a collaborative book your class creates.

Students can create a timeline by combining Shapes on their page. You might ask students to include:

Start and end date Clearly labeled intervals of time Colors that connect to the time period or person Images next to key moments Audio recordings to accompany each detail Links to learn more about each event

In this example of a timeline, the Shapes tool is used to create the line and dashes, as well as the circles and rectangles with other information on this page.

Collaborative Class Capsule

Students can choose one item for a class capsule to profile in a page in a class book.

A time capsule serves many purposes, including connecting the present to the past. In order for students to create a time capsule that demonstrates what life was like during the time they are living in, they need to reflect on the past. Ask students to choose one item for a class time capsule. 

This type of activity requires students to compare what life is like now to how people lived before this time and how they might live afterwards. Review news articles with students that discuss the opening up of a time capsule in different communities. Ask them to think about the reaction people had when diving into the time capsule and seeing each item. To extend this activity into your community, you may want to partner with a senior citizen group. Students can ask them about items from their childhood that could have gone in a time capsule. In addition to asking questions about the past, they might ask them what items they think are significant enough to go into a time capsule today.

Students can create a page for a book to profile the one item they think should be included in a class time capsule. You might ask students to include:

Picture of the item Video recording where they discuss its significance Comparison to what might have been in a time capsule in the past Paragraph that describes how we use the item today Prediction on how someone might react when they see this in the future A guess at what life will be like when the time capsule is opened up

In this screenshot, you can see an example of a template for a page of a collaborative class time capsule book.

Using Deb Sala&#8217;s book as inspiration, students can create a book with the history of their town.

Although you can easily find textbooks that cover big events in world history, locating reading materials on small places or specific towns might be a challenge. Deb Sala shared in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/bookcreator/">Book Creator Facebook group</a> how she created a digital book with Book Creator that showcased the history of her town. You can create a book for (or with!) your students too.

Before diving into this project, ask students to examine the features of textbooks they typically use. They might make a list of typical features in a standard textbook, then create a list of ways to use the interactive features in Book Creator to better connect with their readers. Students can develop a template for each section of their book. When students create for a specific audience they know that someone will read their work. If your students make a book that showcases your town, reach out to a variety of people who can celebrate their work. This could include a group of council people or local representatives who can share their enthusiasm for this project.

Students can create a book with the history of their town. You might ask students to include:

List of the important events in the town history Overview of special events that take place each year Photographs or illustrations to depict what life was like there at different times in history Information on the climate of the area&#160; Map that shows the town border or special geographic features List &#8220;sister towns&#8221; from different parts of the world

In this screenshot, you can see a picture from <a href="https://read.bookcreator.com/FI1jKsDURCdlFqjcModc0FUoN8U2/drg6xASSSKywJbwD2QGRpA">Deb Sala&#8217;s book</a> where she created pages to tell the history of her town.

Michael Cohen&#8217;s students bring their textbooks to life with Book Creator!

Fellow Book Creator Ambassador Michael Cohen (<a href="https://twitter.com/TheTechRabbi">@TheTechRabbi</a>) shared a fantastic social studies project. His students worked together to create their own textbooks using Book Creator. For this project students researched a topic and wrote their own interactive pages. He also shares this project in his new book <a href="https://thetechrabbi.com/thebook">Educated By Design</a>.

Students creating textbooks can benefit from ongoing feedback. As they create each page of their book, provide time for them to share with a partner or another group of students. By giving time for feedback and providing moments for students to share throughout the process, they can develop a strong final product with lots of topical information. Do your students use a traditional textbook to learn about social studies topics? Use this textbook as an exemplar and have students model their interactive textbook off of this traditional creation. They can brainstorm ways to make the content in these hardcover books pop off the page using the interactive features in Book Creator.

An interactive textbook can transform a traditional research project. You might ask students to include:

A table of contents A glossary with key terms Photographs that include captions and citations A bibliography connected to their research A curated list of resources for further investigation Interactive maps

In this image captured for a <a href="https://bookcreator.com/2015/02/students-teaching-students-totally-awesome/">Book Creator blog post</a>, you can see Michael Cohen&#8217;s students in action as they create pages for an interactive textbook.

Inspired by the books created by Kristi Meeuwse, create content area books with students.

You may be familiar with the work of Book Creator Ambassador Dr. Kristi Meeuwse. She has created books for her kindergarten students to provide &#8220;just right&#8221; and high-interest resources for students. You can create books for students on social studies topics to fill in missing pieces of your classroom library, or students can take on the role of creators to spotlight social studies stories.

Kristi created fantastic books for her young students. If you are working with older students, you might have them create content area books to tell the story of an event in history. Then they can share their creations with a group of younger students. This instant audience is fantastic for building connections across a school or district. If students work in partners or small groups to write their content area book, set up a Teacher Library in Book Creator and turn on the collaboration features. This way students can work together on their book whether they are sitting side-by-side or working on different devices at different times.

Students can create a book that spotlights a moment in history. You might ask students to include:

Notable historical figures present for the event Description of the place an event took place Key details from their research Illustrations or annotation of an image Audio recording of the text on the page Colors and font that connect to the mood or tone

In the photo above, taken from a <a href="https://bookcreator.com/2013/09/kids-teaching-kids-book-creator/">Book Creator blog post</a>, you can see Kristi Meeuwse's students reading pages from &#8220;just right,&#8221; high interest books.

Inspired by Susan Golden&#8217;s book of poetry on social change, your students might do the same!

Anyone who has read or written poetry knows that it is often inspired by current or historical events. Susan Golden has used Book Creator to make an interactive book of poetry on social change. As your students read and research about current or historical events, they can create poetry that calls for action and social change.

If you decide to have students write poetry inspired by a current event, encourage them to read about the event from multiple sources. You might pull in articles from <a href="https://newsela.com/">Newsela</a> where students can change the Lexile levels to meet their reading comfort zone. <a href="https://scholasticnews.scholastic.com/">Scholastic News</a> and <a href="https://www.timeforkids.com/">Time for Kids</a> also have online resources for current events articles. Connecting poetry writing to historical events is a great way for students to place themselves in the shoes of someone from that time period. They can reflect on what it might have felt like during that time along with that person’s particular struggles. You might ask students to include links to or images of primary source documents in their final piece.

Students can create a page for a collaborative book or their own book full of poems. You might ask students to include:

A core topic or issue to focus on A series of poems connected to the same topic Poems that are written in a specific format (like a haiku) Images that connect to the theme or mood Links for readers to view information on the topic Colors / fonts that connect to the theme or mood

In this screenshot, you can see an example of a poetry book cover where an image and recording are also included.

Book Creator Ambassador Monica Burns

Dr. Monica Burns is a former classroom teacher, EdTech &#38; Curriculum Consultant and founder of the blog ClassTechTips.com. She is the author and co-author&#160;of numerous books including Tasks Before Apps, #FormativeTech, and Taming the Wild Text. Monica is a big fan of Book Creator and has introduced it to teachers and students across the world!&#160;

You can find Monica at one of her upcoming <a href="http://classtechtips.com/events">events</a> or using the links below:

<a href="http://facebook.com/classtechtips">Facebook</a>

<a href="http://classtechtips.com/signup">Newsletter</a>

<a href="http://instagram.com/classtechtips">Instagram</a>

Some of the books that Monica has written

<a href="http://twitter.com/classtechtips">Twitter</a>

<a href="http://pinterest.com/classtechtips">Pinterest</a>

Email: <a href="http://monica@classtechtips.com">monica@classtechtips.com</a>

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