Unit Plan 27 (PreK Social Studies): Midyear Review—People, Places, and Stories
Review civics, geography, history with songs, stories, sequencing; kids ask questions, notice change, share people, places, celebrations.
Focus: Help children revisit key ideas from civics, geography, and history by using songs, storybooks, picture sequencing, and simple class projects. Children practice asking questions, talking about events in order, noticing change over time, and sharing about important people, places, and celebrations from earlier units.
Grade Level: PreK
Subject Area: Social Studies (Inquiry • Civics • Geography • History)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 15–20 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this midyear review unit, children look back at what they’ve learned about people, places, and stories from the past. Through familiar songs, re-reading favorite storybooks, sorting picture cards, and simple sequencing activities, they practice using question words, sharing ideas with pictures and talk, and telling events in order.
The class revisits early concepts: rules and helpers, home and neighborhood places, weather and environment, and family traditions and stories from long ago. Children bring these threads together in a collaborative display or book that shows how they understand their community and its history.
Essential Questions
- What have we learned about people who help us and people from long ago?
- What have we learned about places like home, school, and neighborhood?
- How can we tell a story in order using “first, next, last”?
- How do we show our learning with pictures, words, and class projects?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Use “who, what, where, why” questions to talk about familiar stories, people, and places.
- Look closely at pictures or objects and say what they notice about people, places, or events.
- Tell about personal or story events in order using “first, next, last” with support.
- Recognize and name important people, celebrations, or family traditions from class stories or their own experiences.
- Contribute to a class project or display that shows people, places, and stories they have learned about.
Standards Alignment — PreK (C3-based custom)
- PK.C3.Inq.1 — Ask and answer simple questions about the world. Uses “who,” “what,” “where,” and “why” questions to learn about people and places.
- Example: “Why do we have stop signs?”
- PK.C3.Inq.2 — Explore information through observation and play. Looks closely at people, objects, and places to find out more.
- Example: Watching how mail is delivered to school.
- PK.C3.Inq.3 — Use pictures and conversations to share learning. Draws or talks about what they notice, think, or learn.
- Example: Sharing a drawing of their neighborhood walk.
- PK.C3.Inq.4 — Participate in class projects that help others. Takes part in simple service or kindness actions.
- Example: Making thank-you cards for school helpers.
- PK.C3.Hist.1 — Tell about personal events in order. Uses words like first, next, and last to talk about experiences.
- Example: “First we had snack, then we played outside.”
- PK.C3.Hist.2 — Recognize change over time. Compares past and present experiences.
- Example: “When I was little, I had a crib.”
- PK.C3.Hist.3 — Identify important people and celebrations. Recognizes helpers, leaders, and special holidays.
- Example: “We celebrate Dr. King because he helped people be fair.”
- PK.C3.Hist.4 — Share family and cultural traditions. Talks about customs, foods, and celebrations at home.
- Example: Bringing a photo from a family celebration to share.
- PK.C3.Hist.5 — Listen to and retell stories from the past. Enjoys simple historical or family stories.
- Example: Listening to “When Grandma Was a Little Girl.”
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can ask or answer a who, what, where, or why question about a picture or story.
- I can tell what I see in a picture of a person or place.
- I can tell a story or my day in order using “first, next, last.”
- I can name an important person, holiday, or family celebration we talked about.
- I can help make a class project that shows people, places, and stories we know.