Rhythm, Movement and Social Studies

Second grade social studies is a very important part of building a foundation for learning about our world. A simple concept like learning how to use a compass rose became an opportunity to use rhythm. When there is rhythm we have to incorporate movement. This simple and enjoyable lesson began with a picture of a compass rose. The children had already seen one before. There were directions (north, south, east and west) on each wall in the classroom. A compass rose was mounted on the wall beside the chalkboard. To help students remember the order of the directions on the compass rose I had them point up and say "north." Then they point down, and then side to side, saying the directions as they do so. Rhythm came from a poem. The poem I used was Eve Merriam's Snow in the East. The children enjoyed moving their hands side to side as I said east and west. There were other movements for words like eyelashes, window and bed. Since we had discussed the fifty states in our last lesson I pasted my compass rose onto the map of the United States. I simply used tape to hold the compass rose onto a Post-it note. The children were surprised that I was able to stick the compass rose to the map. Students were then asked to name a state west of our state. Then they were asked to find states in the east, north and south. This activity was fun and engaging for the students.