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SOCIAL STUDIES IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
SSE 4113
Carolyn L. Piazza
Phone: 644-8476
Office: 107 I
E-mail:
cpiazza@garnet.acns.fsu.edu
Social
studies is the integrated study of the social sciences
and humanities to promote civic competence. Within the
school program, social studies provides coordinated, systematic study drawing
upon such disciplines as anthropology, archeology, economics, geography,
history, law, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, and
sociology, as well as appropriate content from the humanities, mathematics, and
natural sciences. The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people
develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good
as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent
world.
National
Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)
Position
Statement on the Definition of Social Studies
Course Description
This course will help you (1)
make informed choices and utilize effective strategies, techniques and
technologies for helping students approach social studies critically,
sensitively, intelligently, ethically, and morally, and (2) increase your
understanding of social studies and humanities content, a vast reservoir of
knowledge about social behavior and human experience.
Objectives
1. To reflect on the purpose of
social studies education and develop a rationale for teaching and learning
social studies in the elementary and middle school classroom setting.
2. To explore social studies
approaches to curriculum organization, content, techniques, and instructional
materials in order to make informed decisions and increase our understandings
of competing viewpoints.
3. To develop competency in
selected instructional approaches that will help students in constructing
knowledge about social studies, master key skills, and engage in the inquiry
process through rich experiences and active participation.
4. To foster a learning community
of open inquiry, respect, and trust where individuals can reexamine diversity,
culture, gender issues, and power relationships among students, teachers and
the subject of social studies education.
5. To construct knowledge about
social studies through a continual dialectic process mediated by reflective
inquiry, decision-making, problem-solving, communication, literacy processes , creative expression and research activity.
Required Texts
Ellis, Arthur (1998). Teaching and Learning
Elementary Social Studies (6th Ed.).
Forbes, Esther (1943). Johnny Tremain.
National
Council for the Social Studies (1998). Children’s
Literature in Social Studies: Teaching to the Standards. NCSS.
Quick Study
Participant Requirements
1.
Attendance: According to
the FSU bulletin, "A student is expected to attend all of the scheduled
University classes. The University reserves the right to deal at any time with
individual cases of non-attendance. The effect of absences upon grades is
determined by the instructor. Arranging to make up work because of legitimate
class absence is the responsibility of the student."
SSE 4113 - For every
2 absences, the final course grade will be lowered one letter grade. Attendance
will be considered
in the final
grade.
2.
Preparation, Participation, and Professionalism: You are responsible for reading all scheduled
assignments and for being prepared to discuss these assignments in class. All written
assignments will adhere to standard English usage
and conventions. Assignments must be TYPED and STAPLED, unless
specified otherwise by the instructor. The assignments must be turned in on
time. Late assignments will be reduced by one letter grade. Failure to
satisfactorily complete any of the course requirements may result in a failing
grade regardless of performance on other assignments. Professional behavior
will be taken seriously. If you are unsure about what constitutes
professionalism, please see me for criteria. The instructor will evaluate all
informal aspects of the course through observation, attendance count, ability to follow directions, oral participation, and
anecdotal accounts of student behavior. Professionalism will affect your grade
regardless of the number of points you have accumulated.
3. Professional Development Activities
You
will implement and write up, 3 professional activities of your choice from any
of the following activity sections of chapters 1, 4, 8, 12, and 15. The written
product should be about 2-3 typewritten pages (double spaced) --approximately
500-750 words. Each activity will be worth 10 points.
4.
Planning and Teaching Social Studies
A. Teaching and Observing Children
You
will write 2 lessons (see outline for lesson plans pages 109-110) and
try them out with children. The inquiry lessons are to be selected and developed
from the examples in Chapter 9. When you are implementing the lesson, make use
of the teaching techniques and learning activities that we are studying. One of
the lessons should culminate in a written product, the other in an artifact.
You will observe one student during each lesson, noting how he/she completes
tasks, and collecting any written materials done in the process of completing
the final product. After each lesson you will collect written samples and
artifacts (the products) from the students observed. Make a copy of the written
product and photograph the artifact for scanning and duplication. Be sure to
complete the data outline sheet(forthcoming) to attach
to the products. The written plans and their implementation will be worth 10
points (based on the lesson plan evaluation checklist, also forthcoming).
B. Sharing your lesson with peers. Schedule and share one of your lessons with peers.
5. Read An
Historical Fiction Novel (Children’s Literature)
You
will read and take a quiz on one children’s book as
part of your participation in the jigsaw procedure. The quiz is worth 10
points.
6. Learning Scrapbook
Choose
a topic directly related to World Culture, American History, Geography, or
Current Events (in politics, economics, religion or law). Select a variety of
different resources and collections to place in your scrapbook (e.g., children’s books, teacher aids, texts, materials, drawings,
artwork, artifacts, objects, clipping from newspapers, vintage magazine
articles, primary documents, maps, archival information, photos, interviews,
testimonials, charts, graphs, diagrams, internet sources, and web page sites).
Represent items from ALL the social sciences as they relate to your topic. The
information should be organized in a 3-ring binder. Make captions, legends, or
labels, so that the reader understands what he or she is looking at or reading.
Include at least 5 journal entries that summarize your thinking and
decision-making process regarding your search and give your personal reactions,
analysis and interpretations of the materials. Include any letters that you
write for obtaining information and a bibliography of texts, websites, and
other nonprint resources. At the conclusion of your
search, you will complete a "reflection" questionnaire and add it to
your binder.
7.
Quizzes and Exercise Checks
There
will be four objective/application type quizzes and/or exercise checks worth 5
points each. These (unannounced) quizzes and/or exercise checks will be based
on readings in the text. Objective quizzes can include naming, listing,
definitions, true or false, multiple choice, and/or short answer. Application
type quizzes require taking text material and applying it.