Concept Based Learning: Social Studies

Interactive and engaging History lesson plans

Self Interest

Concepts and Descriptions
History

Balance: When power is equal on both sides.

Change: To make or become different.

Colonialism: The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers and exploiting it economically.

Conflict: A disagreement, sometimes un-reconcilable, that may lead to aggressive military behavior.

Conquest: The subjugation and assumption of control of a place or people by use of military force.

Consequence: The intended or unintended result of an action or decision.

Continuity: An uninterrupted, consistent operation.

Cooperation: The process of working together to achieve a common outcome.

Genocide: The deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political or cultural group.

Identity: The values, culture and traditions that an individual or group of people identify with.

Imperialism: The policy of extending a nation's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.

Invasion: The act of attacking a country or region with an armed force.

Leadership: To be responsible for guiding a group of people or nation.

Militarism: Policy of glorifying military power and being prepared for war.

Nationalism: A sentiment or sense of belonging or pride in your country

Patterns: A series of actions or behaviors that are consistent.

Revolution: The forceable overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system.

Self-Interest: Making decisions based on what is the most advantageous for the individual or group of people.

Total War: Policy of using all of a nation's resources including control of the economy to win a war.

Totalitarianism: Government control of all aspects of public and private life.

War: A conflict that results in military action between groups or nations.

Government

Authority: The power or right to give orders, makes decisions and enforce obedience.

Communism: A way of organizing society in which the government owns the means of production and there is no private property.

Democratization: The transition to a government that includes more of the people.

Fascism: Political philosophy that exalts nation and often race above the individual and is led by an authoritarian government.

Government Systems: The institutions or systems which make up the government of a nation.

Socialism: A way of organizing society where the government owns part of the means of production and directs the economy.

Economics

Supply & Demand: Supply- Quantity of a resource available, Demand- How great the need for the resource= Value.

Trade: The transferring of goods in exchange for something of value. Ex. Money

Geography

Isolation: To have little or no contact with other peoples.

Natural Resources: Materials or substances that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain.

Value: The importance, worth or usefulness of something.

Culture

Culture: Traditions, customs or way of life of a community.

Religion: A system of beliefs, symbols and rituals, that guide human behavior, gives meaning to life and unites believers into a community.

Social Systems: A people in a society organized by a characteristic of behaviors.

Tolerance: The ability to live with beliefs or behaviors that one does not agree with.

Values & Beliefs: Shared beliefs about what is good-bad, right-wrong, or desirable-undesirable / Specific statements that people hold to be true.

Global Connections

Alliance: An agreement between two or more parties to advance common goals or interests.

Diffusion: When culture, goods or ideas are mixed together and can result in blending and innovation.

Interdependence: A relationship where each person or group of people is dependent on another person or group.

American Revolution Simulation

Complexity

Conflict

National Identity

World War I

Simulation

Imperialism

Civil War

Simulation

Concept Based Learning

National Identity

Patterns

Complexity

Complexity

War

Invasion

Conflict

War

Imperialism

Self Interest

Examples of Social Studies Topics and Concepts in HistorySimulation.com Lesson Plans

Balance

World War II

Simulation

Balance

Developing Concept Based Lesson Plans
The first thing you have to ask yourself is: "What are you trying to accomplish with this lesson plan?"

Topics Vs. Concepts

Topic: Is a specific event, era or subject in history.
Concept: is something that is timeless and transferable.
-Not specific to any particular topic
-Can be applied to many different topics or subjects