Little Bears Family Homeschool Study Notes

Social Studies

Introduction

Social Studies doesn't seem to appear on the UK National Curriculum as such, (although History and Geography are), although it is offered in most secondary schools as an option.

My view of Social Studies is closely related to citizenship; i.e., it's too important to be left until it's too late! I view Social studies as covering the study of culture and cultures worldwide, so when we study a country, we try to include some knowledge of their music, art, food, dress and 'national character', rather than just history and geography.

We also make a regular study of classical music and fine art, in line with the Charlotte Mason philosophy of education.

Themes

There is some overlap here with what we would include in 'Citizenship', but here are some topics to get your own ideas flowing:

* Occupations/ unemployment * The family * Men * Women * Children * Youth culture *Childcare * School * Adoption * "Care" * Single Families * Marriage * Divorce * The Welfare State * Housing * Churches * Charities *
* Public Services * Birth and death * Government * County Councils * * Town Councils * Parish Councils *
Other authorities * Hospitals * Crime and punishment * Racism and culture * The money-system * Media *
* Rural/ urban communities * land ownership * rich and poor * Alternative lifestyles * Old age/ retirement *
* Disability * Health care * Multi-cultural Britain *

* Country Study * Composer Study * Artist Study * National Dress * World Cuisines *

Recommendations for Literature & Textbooks

As I wrote on the Citizenship page, "Still looking for this one! I sometimes think there's plenty of room for me to start writing my own books... Actually, when I was in Sweden, I was required to study what they called "Sociology" which in fact was more a study of Swedish Society, but the main textbook, "Samhällsboken" (The book of society) was such a good book! I haven't found anything its equal here in England - or indeed in English, so if nobody else does, I'll be writing my own! Watch this space!"