Social Studies Resource List

Foundations for Critical Thinking

https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/our-conception-of- critical-thinking/411

This is a US organization that is led by Dr. Linda Elder. The website provides some good introductory free tools and descriptors for what is Critical thinking as well as how to approach Critical Thinking in a lesson or topic. It is a large website so it will require time to navigate. There is a paid membership portion granting access to much of the literature (workbooks, research, and so on) not necessary initially.

The Critical Thinking Consortium

https://tc2.ca/

This organization is out of UBC in Vancouver. The entire project and materials presented are built to support the British Columbia curriculum. The lessons can be used to support Alberta curriculum and any other topic or content you are engaged with. The site provides material for all ages but for the full program for each course or grade the materials need to be purchased.

Ted Ed

https://ed.ted.com/lessons?category=critical-thinking

Short videos, each a lesson incorporating critical thinking.

Morningside Center

https://www.morningsidecenter.org/

This web site supports teachers with providing lessons for group engagement, critical thought, social responsibility, it is free.

Mentoring Minds

https://www.mentoringminds.com/

Some downloadable material for critical thinking and pedagogy

Wabisabi Learning

https://wabisabilearning.com/

Some good free resources (workbook) for critical thinking and fun thinking activities.

Edward De Bono

Six Thinking Hats

Excellent book

Debate.org

https://www.debate.org/

Debate.org is a free online community where intelligent minds from around the world come to debate online and read the opinions of others. Research today’s most controversial debate topics and cast your vote on our opinion polls.

Introduction to Critical Thinking

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cum3k-Wglfw

A ten minute video that gives an excellent summary of critical thinking

Right Question Institute

https://rightquestion.org/

All the material is free, an excellent source for lessons to introduce students to the important skill of asking questions.

Canada’s History

https://www.canadashistory.ca/

The importance of understanding ourselves by examining our history has been an anchoring belief of Canada’s History Society. We bring relevance and awareness to our nation’s diverse past, illuminating the people, places, and events that unite us as Canadians. This web site has lessons, videos and subscriptions.

The Secret Path

https://www.secretpath.ca/

The Chanie Wenjak story , delivered through the graphic novel and video by Gord Downie, story of residential schools and native who lives in our country.

Canada: A Peoples' History

https://curio.ca/en/collection/canada-a-peoples-history-1268/

Excellent series for Grade 7 students, uses video and workbook. All free to download.

Great Unsolved Mysteries in Canadian History

https://canadianmysteries.ca/en/index.php

Excellent resource for lessons that include fun and engaging material.

Alberta Tomorrow

https://albertatomorrow.ca

An interactive site that uses GIS technology to help students evaluate environmental and social impacts.

Historica Canada

https://www.historicacanada.ca

Videos, lessons, primary sources

Global Oneness Project

https://www.globalonenessproject.org

A free site with lesson plans and lengthy videos about contemporary issues seen through the lens of artists and film makers.

Library of Congress

https://www.loc.gov/programs/teachers/getting-started-with- primary-sources/

This site gives good tools and instructions for sourced based analysis , free!

National Archives

https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/worksheets

Another excellent site to help build source based analysis skills.

History Matters

http://historymatters.gmu.edu/mse/sia/photo.htm

Excellent source based resource with experts using audio and images to show how one analyzes sources- higher level

National Film Board of Canada

https://www.nfb.ca

Excellent video compendium of short films and feature films that are all about Canada and Canadians present and past. With a membership (cheap) you will also get some lesson ideas.

The Canadian Social Studies Super Site

https://sites.ualberta.ca/~jkirman/

This is a limited annotated list of websites for Canadian social studies educators, and those interested in Canada, carefully examined for their quality and use.

Politifact

https://www.politifact.com

An independent fact checking organization that holds all political parties to task.

Historical Thinking Project

http://historicalthinking.ca/historical-thinking-concepts

Excellent source to understand what skills are essential in social studies and how to implement them. The Historical Thinking Project works with six distinct but closely interrelated historical thinking concepts. To think historically, students need to be able to:

  • Establish historical significance Use primary source evidence Identify continuity and change Analyze cause and consequence Take historical perspectives, and
  • Understand the ethical dimension of historical interpretations.

 

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