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EDTE
499
3 credits
Social
Studies Methods
Online
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The purpose of Social
Studies Methods is to provide you an introduction to teaching
strategies and methods common to Social Studies subject areas. You
will be challenged to think and respond like a teacher as we
examine and practice strategies for developing classroom
environment, for instruction, for planning and preparation, and
for discharging professional responsibilities.
Elementary
Ellis,
A. (2002) Teaching and Learning Elementary Social Studies.
Boston: Allyn and Bacon (7th Edition)
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Secondary
Martorella,
P.(2001). Teaching Social Studies in Middle and
Secondary Schools. Columbus, Ohio: Merrill Prentice Hall (3rd
edition) |
Basic
Requirements
Compile a Social Studies File.
Develop
a portfolio that documents the lessons taught in the classroom
Read
and reflect on the text
Create
a social studies unit
Observe,
interview, and teach in a social studies classroom.
Submit
10 excellent "web sites" with an annotation for each
Incomplete
The instructor's
policy on incomplete grade in the same as that described in the
current UI catalog.
Outcomes
As a
result of successfully completing this course,
you should be able to:
Demonstrate
a knowledge of the social sciences, (history, anthropology,
sociology, geography, political science, psychology, and
economics) as disciplines, including ways of structuring major
concepts together with the abilities to integrate and apply this
knowledge to the development and evaluation of curriculum.
Demonstrate
the ability to connect the school curriculum with National
Standards.
Demonstrate
the ability to plan and implement effective social studies
lessons/unit.
Demonstrate the ability to modify and assess the social studies
instruction for individual learner needs.
Demonstrate
ways of using community resources in teaching social studies.
Demonstrate
the ability to use a variety of instructional strategies/models in
social studies
Demonstrate
the ability to use discussion strategies appropriate to the
purpose of a lesson or unit.
Demonstrate
the ability to use a multi-media program with instructional
materials appropriate to the outcomes and to the learners in the
class; do not rely upon one source of information for all learners
all of the time.
Provide
many opportunities in which learners have a chance; to work
together socially to achieve common ends, to choose/make
decisions, and to provide feedback on learning.
Demonstrate
skills and behaviors in the area of human relations and
multi-cultural understanding.
Learners
are assessed for knowledge of democracy through the social studies
curriculum.
Social Studies Portfolio
The
portfolio may be presented in many forms. One page may
demonstrate one or several of the objectives. The following is a
list of possible artifacts that demonstrate the objectives, it is
not exhaustive: Lesson plans, unit, charts, student work
samples, pictures, graphic organizers, curriculum/assessment
sample, teacher observations, supervisor observations, student
evaluations. At least one student work sample is required.
Each Portfolio page must have the following:
- Title
- Artifact(s)
- Reflection
- Curriculum Standards
Portfolio pages are meant to be in a three ring notebook with each page
placed in a plastic sheet. Portfolios may also be electronic.
Assessment: The portfolio will be assessed on the following criteria:
Visual appeal: Portfolio is exciting to look through; uses
graphics, colors and/or lettering effectively to create visual interest
Connection to standards: Artifacts are strongly and clearly
connected to the standards through written explanations; reasons for selection
of artifacts are clear and specific.
Reflection: Strong evidence of appropriate changes in practice
based on reflection
Professional: Portfolio is neat; type font, visuals, etc are
very appropriate and contribute to a very professional look.
Resource File
The file is a book/media/ paper and/or electronic file of resource for the
classroom. The file must have sections on each of the
content areas of Social Studies and other sections of interest to
you.
Begin collecting teaching ideas and strategies from books, magazines,
news papers, internet, etc. Organize them in file folders. Be sure to
include all areas of Social Studies: Economics, Political Science,
Current Events, History, Psychology, Sociology, Geography,
Anthropology, Culture, and the Arts. You may want to add other files on "games, holidays, bulletin boards",
etc.
A packet of materials is available (on reserve ) for you to
use as a guide in building your files. These materials can be duplicated
for inclusion in your personal file folder. They will also give you an idea
of the type of materials that should be included in a Social Studies
Resource file.
The Social Studies Resource Files you collect are for your own use.
They will not be graded for your choice of content. Collect and include
materials that you really find useful!
Remember, teachers, professors and friends may be great sources of
ideas and materials also.
Text
The
text will give you a historical, political, and curricular
"big picture" of social studies.
Additionally, the text introduces the reader to an array of
instructional strategies that make social studies an exciting and
challenging subject for children.
Keeping a journal of your responses
to the text: Journal is the content of the course and will
account for 50% of the grade - Submit journal
The Text Response Journal is for you to write your overall
reactions to each chapter. Please use the following questions as
guides when reading and responding to the text. You do not have to
answer each question specifically, however, do give general
responses at least. You may choose a format that fits your style
of journaling.
Questions to keep in mind:
1. What are the great ideas I can use when teaching Social
Studies?
2. What information is critical to my understanding of Social
Studies?
3. Is there anything in the text you disagree with? Why?
Classroom
Observe and Teach in a Social Studies classroom
You are required to identify a classroom (secondary middle
or high school) where you can observe and teach for 30 hours minimum.
A minimum of three lessons need to be taught (secondary to all class
periods) and evaluated by the teacher. Lesson plans need to have
Standards listed, modifications for special needs students, demonstrate
variety (not all lecture), require a student product. Please see
models of instruction on the 302 web page and lesson plan formats on the
intern handbook web page listed on the home page for teaching and
learning. Send in lesson plans and teacher evaluations (lessons
taught can be part of the unit assignment)
Keep a log of the time in the classroom and
have the teacher sign it - Submit log
The interview is based on the 11 objectives
for the class. Sometime during the visit to the classroom,
interview the teacher. Ask the teacher to elaborate on each of
the 11 objectives. Write up the dialog of the interview and send it in.
Teach lessons and/or unit based on the schools
curriculum.
Remember to send a thank you note to the teacher at the end
of the practicum.
Unit
You will need to prepare a thematic unit of study throughout
the course of this semester. A thematic unit, by definition, is a series of
lessons or learning experiences that relate to a particular concept or topic
– not merely a page-by-page progression through a text. Requirements for
the unit of study are as follows:
1.
Please identify the group of students who will experience this unit
of study (e.g., third grade).
2.
Please identify a unifying theme for your unit of study at least one
week (five academic days) in length for implementation in your classroom.
Describe the theme in two well-written paragraphs using language that would
clearly communicate your intent to interested parents and administrators.
Be sure to include a rationale for your unit of study (a well-written
statement defending your choice of this unit of study and citing appropriate
standards met via this unit of study).
3.
Outline a series of lessons to support your unit of study (follow the
Unit of Study template). Your unit should be based on one of the following
four teaching protocols: Service-learning, Simulation, Project-based, or
Expeditionary/Community-based.
Unit of Study Template:
Title Page/Cover
Student Group/Rationale/Theme
Table of contents
Lesson Plans with supporting materials and
assessments
Types of Lessons: Introductory (1)
Developmental (4+) Culminating (1)
Parts of a lesson plan:
Objectives/Standards; materials; Procedures (motivation, purpose,
steps,
review, closure) Accommodations & Assessment/Evaluation
Interdisciplinary Extensions
Resources/Bibliography
Assessment: When assessing and
evaluating your thematic unit consideration will be given to completeness
(Did you include the elements described above?), appropriateness
(Would your social studies unit work with the audience/setting you
describe?), readability (Did you write in a mechanically correct and
readable style?), and organization (Do the parts of your unit fit
together into a coherent whole?).
Please send or email unit to
instructor. The unit must be received at least one week before the end of
the semester. |