Guiding Social Studies Experiences What is social studies

Guiding Social Studies Experiences

What is social studies? n Definitions. . . q q q A course of study including geography, history, government, and sociology The study of human society and of individual relationships in and to society A part of a school or college curriculum concerned with the study of social relationships and the functioning of society and usually made up of courses in history, government, economics, civics, sociology, geography, and anthropology

Importance of Social Studies Social studies helps children. . . n understand appreciate how other people live n learn to accept themselves and get along with others n acquire skills for living n learn about the roles people have in life n respect others and their property

Teacher’s Role: Determine the Needs, Interests, Abilities, and Experiences n n n Observe kids during play, noting what they play with, books they look at Interact with them in casual way, asking them what they enjoy Determine ability levels by observing kids social skills as they play with others

Develop the Curriculum n Encourage children to take part in planning. . . q q q Whom they play with Materials needed for a project Places to visit People to invite to the classroom How to celebrate birthdays and holidays

Incidental Learnings n n Structure classroom to promote incidental learnings, which are learning experiences that develop during the course of a normal day Watch for everyday happenings that can teach children something q Ex. Point out plant whose leaves yellowed when not watered

Use Community Resources n n Look at community resources for a variety of learning opportunities Record the names of stores, museums, art galleries, community services, community workers

Perceptions n n Kids touch, taste, smell, see and hear in an attempt to learn They form perceptions, which are ideas formed about a relationship or object as a result of what a child learns q Ex. A child sees a black and white cow. Later the child sees a black and white dog and calls it a cow. Given proper feedback, the child learns the difference between a dog and a cow

Concepts n n n Help children to organize, group, and order experiences Help them make sense out of the world Social studies helps children learn multicultural, intergenerational, democracy, ecology, change, geography, community living, current events, and holiday concepts

Take a closer look. . . To better understand what each of these different concepts is all about, you are going to read and create a poster about your assigned concept(s). Make sure you explain/include any bolded vocabulary in your poster. Additionally, you need to list at least one possible lesson plan that aligns with the concept(s) you are reading about Your classmates will be taking notes on the information you present, so make sure the information is understandable!

Sign up for one of the following: n Multicultural Concepts: page 480 -482 n Intergenerational Concepts: page 483 -484 n Democracy, Ecology Concepts: page 485 -486 n Change, Geography, Community Living, Current Events Concepts: page 486 -487 n Holiday Concepts: page 487 -488