One of my favorite methods to use in Elementary Social Studies is the Cooperative Biography. With this project, students work collaboratively to research an important historical figure who worked for social justice or human rights and then write a biography of this person.
For the first time in my class, students will be exploring the creation of their books with an e-book format. In an effort to include meaningful technology, facilitate the dissemination and sharing of the finished products, and archive the books, I have decided to explore the tools available for creating e-books and other formats of digital storytelling.
Of course, the best part is that this assignment reinforces the core democratic values of cooperation, collaboration, diversity, and equality through an essential literacy practice while centered on social studies content and skills. When this integration happens, instruction is simply better.
