Social Science Activities

Paper Bag Town

Materials Needed

• Paper lunch bags (one per building)
• Construction paper, colored pencils, markers, crayons
• Glue, tape, or staples
• Scissors (child-safe)
• Optional: popsicle sticks, yarn, cotton balls, small boxes, or other craft materials

Step 1: Plan Your Town

1. Decide the theme for the town (modern city, colonial village, or local community).
2. Have students make a list of buildings and features to include (e.g., houses, schools, stores, churches, rivers, docks, farms).
3. Assign each student or small group a specific building to design.

Step 2: Decorate the Paper Bags

1. Each student takes a paper bag and designs the front as a building façade.
   • Example: draw windows, doors, and signs.
2. Use construction paper and craft materials to create 3D features (roof, chimney, porch).
3. Optional: decorate the sides and back to make the building realistic from all angles.

Step 3: Add Community Details

1. Create streets, sidewalks, and parks using large sheets of paper or a bulletin board surface.
2. Add small features like trees, benches, rivers, or bridges with additional materials.
3. Label each building and area for clarity.

Step 4: Assemble the Town

1. Place all the decorated paper bags on the designated surface.
2. Arrange buildings to form streets, neighborhoods, or districts.
3. Allow students to rearrange and collaborate to make the town realistic and connected.

Step 5: Present and Discuss

1. Students give a tour of the town, explaining their building and its purpose.
2. Discuss how geography, economy, and culture affect the layout of the town.
3. Students will create a paper map of the town.
4. Have students practice giving directions from one building in town to another.

Timeline of the Telephone

Step 1: Use receipt tape to create a timeline from 1875 to the present marking every five years with an inch (31 tick marks).

Step 2: Use photos of a variety of telephones and place them on the timeline

Step 3: Discuss:

• What do you notice about how phones have changed?
• How did these changes likely affect how people lived and communicated?