Contemporary Elementary Social Studies Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Looking Ahead What purpose does social studies serve in the total school curriculum? Why is social studies needed in the elementary school? What approach is best for elementary social studies curriculum and the teaching of that curriculum? Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Can You – describe how the field of social studies has changed since you were in elementary school? tell how social studies has remained the same? explain the goals of social studies? Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Do You – have an understanding of a problems approach to teaching social studies? have an idea of what a teacher needs to know about social studies? think of social studies simply as history and/or geography? Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Focus Activity Take a scrap piece of paper and draw a picture of social studies. Be sure to use images and not words. Share drawings with classmates. Discuss the details of the drawings. Compare drawings for substance with classmates. Does your drawing share common themes/elements with classmates? If so, what are the themes/elements? Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

The Goals of Social Studies The state of social studies in elementary schools Marginalized? Integrated? The purpose of elementary school social studies Problem Solving? Decision Making? Effective Citizens? Achieve Full Potential? Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

The Goals of Social Studies How will you influence students in the future during the present? How much can you expect of yourselves? Goals and objectives: is there a difference? What are the goals of social studies? Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

A Problems Approach to Social Studies What is a problems approach? Why is a problems approach necessary? Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Problems Approach: K-3rd Grade Classroom Ask questions and stimulate curiosity Have students identify problems through personal experiences Lead students to create possible solutions Have students make decisions Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Problems Approach: 4th–6th Grade Classroom Focus shifts towards independence Students can deal with problems farther removed from their personal experiences Greater involvement in the development of problems Greater variety of research activities More peer oriented and less teacher oriented Curiosity, though, is still encouraged Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Looking Back Social studies serves to create good and competent citizens The elementary years are vital for developing the love of learning and the ability to solve problems A problem solving approach is the most pervasive of all skills Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Extension You obtain an interview just as you were losing hope of finding a job. During your interview, an enthusiastic committee member asks you, “What do you believe to be the goals and purpose of social studies?” Your response could be the difference between being offered the position or not. Write down how you would answer the enthusiastic committee member. Be sure to clearly discuss the goals and purpose of social studies. Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Self-Test How would you characterize the problems approach to social studies? Why was the map-creation exercise so critical in the class where they were studying medieval history? In what areas are elementary social studies teachers going to have an impact? In what ways did the NCSS task force groups referred to in the chapter stress the role of thinking skills in social studies? Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013

Resources Barr, R., Barth, J., & Shermis, S. (1977). Defining Social Studies. Silver Spring, MD: National Council for the Social Studies. Engle, S. (1960). Decision Making: The Heart of Social Studies Instruction. Social Education, 24(7), 301–306. Essentials of Elementary Social Studies By Turner, Russell, Waters Copyright 2013