A collection of fun programming projects that demonstrate the application of coding to topics in elementary history, geography, and civics.

  • Grades 3-5
  • Beginner
  • Web iPad

Description

Once your students have completed at least five lessons of Programming 101 or equivalent coding experience, you can assign these NCSS-aligned projects to complement your teaching on topics in history, geography, civics, ethics, and digital citizenship. For example, if you’re teaching a lesson on how the continents have moved throughout history, you can assign the Pangea project. Your students will use coding to animate Pangea breaking up into present-day continents and do their own outside research to provide additional information about how continental drift has influenced modern geography and ecosystems.

With this collection of Social Studies projects, you can easily integrate coding and project-based learning into your curriculum. Each STEM lesson walks students through how to make a project about something they’re learning in school with step-by-step instructions. At each step, it encourages them to make their project unique and interesting, emphasizing that coding is a creative medium much like writing or drawing.

We’re constantly updating our STEM courses with new projects, so if there’s something you’d like us to add, send us a message at support@tynker.com.

What Students Learn

  • Use programming for Social Studies projects
  • Build a slide show on a topic
  • Build a quiz game
  • Make an interactive chart
  • Use animation to illustrate
  • Narrate using your own voice
  • Troubleshoot and debug programs

Technical Requirements

* Online courses require a modern desktop computer, laptop computer, Chromebook, or Netbook with Internet access and a Chrome (29+), Firefox (30+), Safari (7+), or Edge (20+) browser. No downloads required.
* Tablet courses require an iPad (iOS 10+) with Tynker or Tynker Junior app installed and Internet access


Lesson 1 : My Map
Social Studies 101

Time: 45+ minutes

Introduction

Tynker Blocks Introduced

Vocabulary

Objectives

Materials

Warm-Up (15 minutes)

Activities (30 minutes)

Facilitate as students complete all My Map modules on their own:

1. Introduction (Introduction)
2. My Map Example (Example)
3. My Map (DIY)
4. Quiz (Multiple-choice)

Extended Activities (10 minutes)

U.S. Standards

  • CCSS-Math: MP.1
  • CCSS-ELA: L.RF.3.4.A, SL.3.1, RF.4.4.A, SL.4.1, RF.5.4.A, SL.5.1
  • CSTA: 1B-AP-11, 1B-AP-12, 1B-AP-15
  • CS CA: 3-5.AP.10, 3-5.AP.13, 3-5.AP.14, 3-5.AP.17
  • ISTE: 1.c, 1.d, 4.d, 5.c, 5.d, 6.b

U.K. Standards

Key stage 1
Pupils should be taught to:
  • understand what algorithms are, how they are implemented as programs on digital devices, and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions
  • create and debug simple programs
  • use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs
  • use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content
  • use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies
Key stage 2
Pupils should be taught to:
  • design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts
  • use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output
  • use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs
  • understand computer networks, including the internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the World Wide Web, and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration
  • use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact

Class Presentations

These student-facing slide presentations help educators seamlessly run Tynker lessons in a virtual or physical classroom setting. Each lesson has its own set of slides that introduce the big ideas, suggest unplugged activities, and include a section for each activity module. While running lesson slides, you can switch back and forth between the activity, the slides, answer keys and other lesson materials.
A sample slide presentation is available for your review. Please log in to view all the class presentations available with your plan..
Lesson 1
My Map
20 Slides
PREVIEW
Lesson 2
Cardinal Directions
26 Slides
Lesson 3
The Equator
23 Slides
Lesson 4
Continents
15 Slides
Lesson 5
Physical and Human Geography
22 Slides
Lesson 6
Internet Safety
18 Slides
Lesson 7
Honesty
19 Slides
Lesson 8
Government Systems
20 Slides
Lesson 9
Hunter-Gatherers and Farmers
21 Slides
Lesson 10
Historical People
18 Slides
Lesson 11
Trading for Goods
19 Slides
Lesson 12
World Map
20 Slides
I just had my first group of 6th graders coding - Instant engagement! Love it (plus now I am a teacher hero). Paula Pletcher Teacher from St. Simon School, IN
It has been so great for me to see my students really shine in this, especially some of those who struggle in other areas.. These students are so proud of their success and it is so encouraging to see how much it boosts their confidence. Anna Cross Teacher from Rockwood School District, MO
Tynker is an absolute success in our school!.. Teachers across Kentucky need to know about Tynker. Jeanine Kearbey Teacher from Craven Elementary School, KY