History and technology: Integrating STEM content into elementary classrooms through history-based themes

Children learn best when they are immersed in and invested in a topic of study. While some skills need to be taught in isolation and in a particular sequence, there is a great value to teaching at the elementary level using integrated thematic units. Themes provide a context for information, helping children see how content is inter-related. Using an inquiry approach engages students even more as they seek answers to their own questions. This is true for the sciences, but it is equally true for social studies. Having students work directly with primary sources supports them to draw their own informed conclusions and be more engaged in the learning process.