Skip to main content
Social Sci LibreTexts

7.3: Experiences from social studies, art, movement, and music

  • Page ID
    231300
  • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

    \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

    ( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)

    \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)

    \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)

    \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)

    \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)

    \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}}      % arrow\)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}}      % arrow\)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

    \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)

    \(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)

    Integrate SSAMM learning experiences into an interdisciplinary unit

    Incorporating All SSAMM Content Areas

    To create a comprehensive and engaging unit plan, it's essential to include activities from all SSAMM content areas: Art, Music, Language, and Social Studies. Integrating multiple domains and content areas into your activities helps children learn better by making connections across different subjects. Below are detailed examples of how to achieve this.  

    Separate, Unconnected Learning Experiences for Spring

    Separate Learning Experiences

    Theme: Spring

    Story: Spring is Here: A Bear and Mole Story by Will Hillenbrand

    Science: Plant Flowers, then take them home once they start to grow

    Music: Sing Five Little Speckled Frogs

    Art: Paint Pictures of a Duck Holding an Umbrella with Raindrops

    Math: Counting Eggs in Nests

    While all these activities connect to the theme of Spring, they don't necessarily connect to one another. This approach doesn't allow children to explore the subject in depth and from multiple perspectives.

    Interdisciplinary Connected Learning Experiences
    Theme: Hands Are Not for Hitting

    Story:

    • Fiction: Hands Are Not for Hitting by Martine Agassi
    Social Studies:
    • Discuss the importance of using hands for helping, hugging, and being gentle with others.
    • Role-play scenarios where children practice gentle touches and kind actions.
    • Create a classroom agreement on using hands for positive purposes and display it prominently.
    Music:
    • Sing songs about gentle hands and kind actions. Use soft instruments like maracas, tambourines, or scarves to create gentle music.
    • Encourage children to follow movements with their hands, emphasizing gentleness.
    Art:
    • Children use various art materials to create handprint art, emphasizing positive expressions with their hands.
    • Create a collaborative mural where each child adds their handprint and a drawing of a kind action.
    • Movement:
    • Engage in activities that emphasize gentle movements, such as clapping, waving, and touching softly.
    • Incorporate simple songs or rhymes that involve gentle hand movements.
    • They must show how hands can be used for positive purposes.

    This unit incorporates all SSAMM disciplines, allowing children to learn in multiple domains. The activities are interconnected, providing a deeper and more holistic understanding of the theme.

    Additional Details for Effective Integration

    Planning and Coordination

    Ensure that each activity is designed to complement the others. For example, the art project can be displayed during the music session, and the social studies discussion can be referenced during movement activities.

    Assessment and Reflection

    Include opportunities for children to reflect on their learning experiences. This can be done through group discussions, individual reflections, or creative expressions like drawing or storytelling.

    Flexibility and Adaptation

    Be prepared to adapt activities based on the children's interests and responses. Flexibility allows for a more personalized and engaging learning experience.

    Parental Involvement

    Encourage parents to participate in some activities, such as creating handprints. This fosters a connection between home and school learning environments.

    Resource Utilization:​​​​​​

    Utilize a variety of resources, including books, music recordings, art supplies, and movement props, to enrich the learning experience.

    By integrating SSAMM learning experiences into an interdisciplinary unit, you create a cohesive and engaging educational environment that supports children's holistic development.

    Conclusion

    To conclude, integrating all SSAMM content areas—Art, Music, Language, and Social Studies—into a unit plan creates a rich, interdisciplinary learning experience for children. This approach helps children make connections across different subjects, enhancing their understanding and retention.  By integrating SSAMM learning experiences, you create a cohesive and engaging educational environment that supports children's holistic development.

     


    7.3: Experiences from social studies, art, movement, and music is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Vicki Tanck (Northeast Wisconsin Technical College).