Showcasing Social Studies

At Bearden Elementary School, we are proud to showcase the outstanding work of our K-5 students in social studies. Through engaging lessons and hands-on projects, our students explore the rich history, diverse cultures, and important civic values that shape our community, state, and nation. Guided by Tennessee’s academic standards, our young learners develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the world around them. We invite you to celebrate their creativity, curiosity, and hard work as you view their impressive social studies projects.

Chs 1 & 2 Research - SD 480p.mov

Great Plains Narratives

Ch 3 Research 1 - SD 480p.mov

Interviewing People from the Gilded Age

Cities, Landforms, Water and Political Features

The third-grade Tennessee social studies standard for cities, landforms, water, and political features requires students to identify and describe major cities, landforms, bodies of water, and political boundaries within Tennessee and the United States. Students demonstrate understanding by creating drawings and maps that include clear labels for each feature, helping them recognize the relationships between physical and political geography.

Kindergarten students are meeting Social Studies state standards by learning about Constitution Day and participating in a hands-on activity to create a simplified American flag. After discussing the importance of the Constitution, students colored the blue section of the flag, then practiced fine motor skills by tearing red construction paper and gluing it into the stripes. This activity reinforced both the meaning of national symbols and early pattern recognition skills while connecting learning to a meaningful celebration of American history.

Taxation without Representation

4th grader explored the important idea of “taxation without representation” and how it shaped the American colonies. Students learned why colonists believed it was unfair to be taxed by the British government without having a voice in decisions.

Ch 4 & 5 Immigrant Interviews - SD 480p.mov

Ch 6 - Research - SD 480p.mov

Branches of Government

Second grade students are engaging with Tennessee state standards for Social Studies by learning about the three branches of government. They are discovering the roles and responsibilities of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Through stories, discussions, and classroom activities, students are gaining a foundational understanding of how these branches work together to create and enforce laws in our country.

Countries of the World

Third graders at Bearden Elementary School explored the diverse countries of the world as part of their study of global communities. To meet the Tennessee State social studies standard, students researched different nations, learning about their geography, cultures, languages, and traditions. Through hands-on projects, maps, and presentations, they compared how people around the world live, work, and celebrate. This engaging unit helped students develop a deeper understanding of global connections and an appreciation for cultural diversity.

The Roaring Twenties

Fifth graders at Bearden Elementary School studied the Roaring Twenties to meet the Tennessee State social studies standard. They explored the major cultural, social, and economic changes of the decade, learning about innovations, music, fashion, and the rise of new technologies. Students also researched prominent figures of the era—such as artists, writers, athletes, and political leaders—to understand how their contributions shaped American life. Through creative projects and class discussions, students gained insight into how the 1920s influenced the nation’s growth and identity.

learning

In third grade at Bearden Elementary, students explore countries around the world to learn about their people, cultures, and traditions.

about different

They compare how families live, work, and celebrate in different places. Students also study maps and globes to locate continents, countries, and major landmarks.

countries

Through reading, discussions, and creative projects, they discover what makes each country unique and how people everywhere are connected.

Betsy ross

Second-grade students at Bearden Elementary School are learning about Betsy Ross as part of their English Language Arts and social studies lessons. Through this writing assignment, students practice reading informational texts, organizing ideas, and writing complete sentences. They learn that Betsy Ross was an important figure in American history, remembered for sewing one of the first American flags. This activity helps students connect literacy skills with understanding early American symbols, citizenship, and the people who helped shape the nation.

World War II

Fifth graders at Bearden Elementary School are bringing history to life as they study World War II through an engaging social studies project. As part of meeting Tennessee’s fifth-grade standards, students assume the roles of journalists interviewing key world leaders of the era. They research figures such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and other global leaders to understand their decisions, challenges, and perspectives during the war. Through these creative interviews, students strengthen their knowledge of major events, alliances, and outcomes of World War II while practicing communication, critical thinking, and historical empathy.

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Symbols of the United States

Our kindergarten students at BES are learning about the important symbols that represent our country! As part of their social studies standards, they are exploring the American flag, the bald eagle, the Statue of Liberty, and more. Through art, stories, and hands-on projects, students are discovering what these symbols mean and how they show pride in the United States.

Propaganda

Our fifth graders at BES are studying how propaganda was used during World War II to unite Americans and support the war effort.

During

Students are creating posters and messages that encourage people to plant Victory Gardens, stay quiet about military secrets, and help from the home front.

WWII

Through this project, they are learning how powerful words and images can inspire action and shape history.

Making a Flag

Our second graders at BES are learning about how governments use flags to represent their communities and values. As part of their social studies standards, students are designing their own flags to show what’s important to their classroom “government.” Through this creative project, they are discovering how symbols, colors, and designs can express unity and identity.

Participating in

Our third graders at BES are learning what it means to be active citizens and how people can take part in their government. As part of their social studies standards, students are exploring ways to make decisions, vote, share ideas, and work together to solve problems.

the Government

Through class activities and discussions, they are discovering how everyone can have a voice in their community.

Map Skills

Our second graders at BES are developing their map skills as part of their social studies standards. They are learning how to read maps, use symbols, and understand directions while exploring different places around the world. To show what they’ve learned, students are creating travel pamphlets that highlight exciting destinations and cultures, helping them see how geography connects people everywhere.

Protesting For Equal Rights

Bearden Elementary School’s third-grade students explored the importance of fairness and equality through their Social Studies standards. They learned about historical figures and movements that fought for equal rights and used this knowledge to create projects showing how people can stand up for justice. Through writing, art, and discussion, students demonstrated their understanding of civic responsibility and the power of peaceful protest in making positive change.

The States

Bearden Elementary School’s 3rd graders are mastering facts about the different states across the U.S.! Through research, reading, and creative projects, students are learning about geography, state symbols, landmarks, and unique cultural features. This engaging study helps build research and presentation skills while deepening their understanding of our country. Our 3rd graders are becoming knowledgeable explorers of the United States!

Interstate Highway System

Bearden Elementary School’s 5th graders are mastering social studies standards by writing postcards that explore how the Interstate Highway System connects people, places, and economies across the nation. Through this creative writing project, students are learning about transportation, geography, and the ways infrastructure shapes communities. Their postcards combine historical understanding with imagination, showing how the highways link our country together.

The Cold War

Bearden Elementary School’s 5th graders are deepening their understanding of the Cold War by writing perspective narratives from the viewpoints of people living in East Berlin, West Berlin, and the United States. Through this creative writing project, students are exploring historical context, empathy, and point of view while mastering key social studies standards. Their narratives bring history to life, showing how global events affected individuals across the world.

Morse Code

Bearden Elementary fourth graders meet Tennessee State Social Studies standards by exploring historical communication methods and their impact on society. In their “Morse Code Picture Design” project, students study how Morse code was used to send messages and then apply their understanding by creating original coded designs that form pictures. This hands-on activity integrates history, problem-solving, and creativity as students decode and encode messages, demonstrating comprehension of early communication systems and their role in connecting people across distances. Their work reflects both historical understanding and innovative thinking.

Native Americans of Tennessee

Bearden Elementary 5th graders explored the lives and cultures of Tennessee’s Native American tribes before European settlers arrived. After studying their traditions, homes, and ways of life, students created artistic expressions to represent the rich heritage of these early peoples. Their artwork celebrates the creativity, respect for nature, and community values that shaped Native American life in Tennessee’s past.

Natural resources

Bearden Elementary 3rd graders discovered the many natural resources that make Tennessee special. Through research and creative projects, students learned how people use the land, water, forests, and minerals around them. Their work shows how these resources shape our communities and why it’s important to take care of the environment we all share.

Chs 17 18 Research.MP4

Leaders and Explorers

Fifth graders explored the lives of Native Americans and settlers who shaped Tennessee before it became a state. Through research and creative inquiry, students investigated the experiences of early explorers, Native American leaders, and white settlement leaders. Each student conducted an interview-style presentation, bringing history to life by sharing the perspectives, challenges, and contributions of these key figures in Tennessee’s early story.

Timeline of Our

Our 1st graders are learning about time and sequence through their Social Studies standards! Using their daily agendas, students are creating personal timelines to show the order of their daily activities.

Daily Lives

This hands-on project helps them understand how events happen in sequence and builds a foundation for exploring history and chronology.

Life Before Tennessee: A 5th Grade Scrapbook Gallery

Step back in time with our 5th-grade historians! In this digital gallery, students showcase their incredible Pioneer Scrapbooks, bringing to life the rugged frontier of the late 1700s before Tennessee even became a state. Through creative journal entries and vivid artwork, these projects explore the daily lives of early settlers—revealing how they hunted and farmed for food, crafted homespun clothing, and still found time for fun in the wilderness. Browse their amazing work below to discover the daunting challenges these brave families survived to carve out a home on the frontier.

Tennessee Border Lines

Fifth-grade students explored Tennessee’s history and geography by creating informative billboards that explained how the state’s borders were established. Working in teams, they researched the historical events, key figures, and natural features that shaped each of Tennessee’s boundaries—from the Mississippi River in the west to the Appalachian Mountains in the east. Students then designed colorful, eye-catching billboards to share what they learned, highlighting important details such as surveying challenges, landmark treaties, and the influence of neighboring states. This project supported multiple Tennessee state Social Studies standards, helping students connect geography, history, and civic understanding in a creative and engaging way.

Tennessee's Perspective

Fifth graders are exploring how Tennessee helped shape key moments in American history. Students are creating presentations that share our state’s perspective during the Women’s Suffrage movement, the Civil Rights Movement, World War I, and World War II. Through research, collaboration, and creativity, they’re learning how Tennesseans influenced—and were influenced by—these important events in our nation’s story.

Tennessee's Impact

Our 5th-grade historians are bringing the past to life through multimedia presentations that explore Tennessee's pivotal role in shaping modern America. Aligned with state social studies standards, students are analyzing our state’s impact on World War I and World War II, investigating the "Atomic City" of Oak Ridge, and celebrating Tennessee’s deciding vote as the "Perfect 36" for the 19th Amendment. They are also diving deep into the Civil Rights Movement, tracing the local courage that sparked national change. By evaluating primary sources and presenting their findings, these students are discovering how Tennessee's legacy continues to influence our world today.

Goods & Services

Our 1st-grade economists are learning all about the marketplace! Aligned with Tennessee Social Studies standards, our students have been busy identifying and categorizing the differences between goods (tangible items we use) and services (helpful tasks people do for others). Through hands-on sorting activities and real-world examples, they are discovering how community members work together to meet our needs and wants. Whether they are acting as "producers" or "consumers," these young learners are building a foundation for financial literacy and understanding the value of the different roles people play in our local community.

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