Chapter 2 Social Studies Curriculum Essentials of Elementary

Chapter 2 Social Studies Curriculum Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Looking Ahead �What social studies topics and themes are to be taught in elementary schools? �What basis do the social science disciplines provide for a social studies curriculum in the elementary schools? Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Can You – �Identify reasons why there is controversy in social studies? �Describe the Expanding Environments curriculum? �Identify and explain the various social science disciplines? �Explain how the social sciences relate to what students learn in social studies? Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Do You – �Know all the social science fields that are included in social studies? �Know how the social studies curriculum is organized? �Know what an instructional theme is? �Know the history of the term “social studies”? Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Focus Activity �What did social studies mean to you as an elementary student? �What curriculum was included in social studies? �Discuss the details of your experiences and compare with classmates. �Do your elementary experiences related to social studies share common attributes with those of others? If so, what attributes? �What does social studies mean to you now? Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Why Is There Controversy in Social Studies? �How is social studies a complex subject matter? �How do certain elements make social studies a controversial subject matter? � Cultural differences � Differing values, priorities, and viewpoints � Special-interest groups � Changing body of knowledge �How has the history of social studies shaped the discipline today? Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Incorporating Themes from the Standards �What do you think �Insert Table 2. 4 about the example of thematic unit topics as it relates to… �topics that might be taught? �connections to the standards? �connections to a specific discipline? �thematic threads? Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Social Studies and the Common Core Standards �What are your reactions to Common Core Standards compared to traditional standards? �Do you believe that Common Core Standards are more manageable and/or practical than traditional standards? Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Constructivism and Social Studies �Why do most social studies educators subscribe to the learning theory, constructivism? �How do you feel regarding constructivism? Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

What is the Place of the Social Science Disciplines? �How are the various social science disciplines incorporated into an elementary social studies curriculum? �Is it fair to say one discipline is more or less important than others? Why or why not? Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Looking Back �The elementary social studies curriculum is constantly changing as its goal is related to expanding the world of the child. �Each of the social sciences – history, geography, anthropology, sociology, economics, political science, psychology, and religious studies – offers a body of knowledge, a unique perspective about the world, and a method of inquiry from which students can learn. Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Extension �You have just taken a job. It is orientation night and you are meeting all of your new students and their parents. As you are sharing your daily schedule with the group, you mention that you will be teaching social studies from 1: 05 to 2: 25 pm. A parent perplexed by your schedule raises her hand asks “What is social studies? ” �Write down how you would answer the perplexed parent. Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Self-Test 1. What factors contribute to controversy over what is taught in the social studies? 2. How does the Expanding Environments curriculum relate to the curriculum of contemporary social studies programs? 3. What is the difference between the terms the social sciences and the social studies? 4. How would you define constructivism? Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Self-Test 5. Why does the social studies curriculum often focus on history and geography? 6. How does anthropology relate to and differ from geography? 7. Why is economics important to elementary students? 8. Why do students need to be politically aware? 9. Does the study of religions conflict with the American constitutional concept of separation of church and state? Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Resources �National Council for the Social Studies. (2010). National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies: A Framework for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment. Silver Spring, MD: National Council for the Social Studies. �The Council for Economic Education (CEE) http: //www. councilforeconed. org � National Council for Geographic Education. (1994). Geography for Life: The National Geography Standards. Washington, DC: National Geographic Society Committee on Research and Exploration. �Thornton, S. (2003). From Content to Subject Matter. The Social Studies, 92(6), 237– 242. Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013