Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand and discuss the concept of history and how it relates to social studies.

Materials and Prep

• Blocks (various shapes and sizes)
• A clear space to build with the blocks

Activities

• Activity 1: Building a Tower

Use the blocks to build a tower as tall as you can. Discuss how tall towers have been built throughout history, from ancient civilizations to modern skyscrapers.

• Activity 2: Building a Bridge

Use the blocks to build a bridge. Talk about how bridges have been important in history for connecting people and places. Discuss famous bridges like the Golden Gate Bridge or the Great Wall of China.

• Activity 3: Building a House

Use the blocks to build a house. Explain how houses have changed over time and how different cultures and societies have built their homes in unique ways.

Transitional-Kindergarten Grade Talking Points

• "History is about things that happened a long time ago. It helps us understand how things were different in the past."
• "We can learn about history by looking at old buildings, artifacts, and stories from people who lived a long time ago."
• "Blocks can help us imagine and recreate things from history, like tall towers, bridges, and houses."
• "Building a tower with blocks is like building a castle or a pyramid, just like people did a long time ago."
• "Bridges help people cross over rivers or other obstacles. Some bridges are very long and strong, like the ones we see in books or on TV."
• "Houses have changed a lot over time. Some houses had straw roofs, while others had bricks or even made of ice. People built their houses based on what was available in their environment."