In today’s education landscape, finding a curriculum that truly resonates with both students and teachers can be a challenge. Thankfully, TCI’s K-5 Social Studies Alive! programs have become a standout favorite among elementary educators, earning glowing reviews for their engaging, interactive, and effective approach to teaching social studies.
Recently, in a WeAreTeachers Teacher Pick, primary teacher Sarah Wilson reviewed TCI’s Social Studies Alive! My Community program. She shares her experience with the program’s hands-on activities and standards-aligned curriculum.
“I give it five stars. So many components are helpful and easy to figure out, making teaching the material easier and convenient. The features that are made available make my students’ lives easier and less stressful. The hands-on materials for the lessons that were provided were fun and engaging to my students.”
The TCI Difference: Highlights from Social Studies Alive!
Designed for K-5 classrooms, TCI’s Social Studies Alive! programs make a difference through their active learning approach and easy-to-implement resources. In Sarah’s classroom, she noticed how these features supported lesson planning and student learning.
Engaging and Interactive Lessons
One of the hallmarks of TCI’s Social Studies Alive! is its focus on making lessons dynamic and hands-on. Whether it’s through community skits, sorting activities, or interactive projects, students are actively involved in their learning. This not only makes social studies more enjoyable but also helps students retain information better by doing and experiencing.
As Sarah conducted a lesson, she saw how the hands-on activities engaged her students. “I particularly like the lessons that are hands-on and have videos that I could present or assign to students that go along with the material. My students especially liked the sorting activity and participating in community skits.”
Want to try Social Studies Alive! My Community? Experience a TCI lesson.
Clear Standard Correlations
Staying on track with state standards can be a challenge. Social Studies Alive! is meticulously aligned to state standards, covering essential topics like community roles, geography, and historical figures. Sarah used the standards labels for reading and lessons in her program, making it easy to stay organized and ensure all requirements are met.
“The units aligned with what I need to teach. The standards correlations make it easy and fast to figure out where each standard fits in the units. This would be very helpful when editing curriculum pacing guides for the year.”
Flexible and Easy-to-Use Resources
In today’s classroom, a flexible approach is key. TCI provides both print and digital resources. The digital platform includes interactive activities, assessments, and a wealth of teacher resources that support both in-class and remote learning. Integration with learning management systems, like Google Classroom, makes assigning and grading easy.
“There is so much to love about this curriculum. I love the real-life pictures and all of the tools that are available online.” Sarah also notes, “The printed materials make the lessons even that much more amazing. I appreciate the fact that there are two copies of the sorting cards for the hands-on activities.”
In addition to the review on WeAreTeachers, other teachers have also shared their positive experiences with the curriculum. Explore stories from TCI elementary teachers.
Supporting Teachers, Engaging Students
TCI is committed to developing high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) for social studies, providing effective social studies practices and saving teachers time in the classroom. The programs provide comprehensive teacher support with step-by-step guidance and scaffolding strategies to engage all learners. The user-friendly digital platform makes it easy to assign materials, grade assignments, and integrate with tools like Google Classroom.
For students, TCI’s curriculum transforms social studies into a journey of exploration and discovery. Interactive lessons and hands-on activities, such as community skits and sorting exercises, foster critical thinking and active learning. The integration of primary sources, videos, and diverse perspectives allows students to develop a deeper understanding of social studies concepts and see the world in a new light.
If you’re interested in learning more about TCI’s social studies programs, check out the full review on WeAreTeachers. You can also explore our website for more information and resources.
