Contemporary Social Studies

Looking Ahead What purpose does social studies serve in the total school curriculum? Why is social studies needed in school? What approach is best for teaching social studies curriculum?

Can You? identify reasons why there is controversy in social studies? identify and explain the various social science disciplines? explain the goals of social studies?

Do You? know all the social science fields that are included in social studies? 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?

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?

The Goals of Social Studies The purpose of social studies Preparing responsible citizens for the nation, the state, and the local area Preparing students who have the knowledge and skills in social studies needed for college Developing awareness and understanding of contemporary social issues Developing healthy self-concepts Teaching the methods of social scientists Motivating students to want to learn about the social studies Developing the ability to solve problems and make decisions Developing cultural responsive “global” citizens

The Goals of Social Studies How will you influence students in the future during the present? How much can you expect of yourselves? What are the goals of social studies?

Controversy? Why is social studies often labeled as being controversial? Is there any common ground in social studies?

Social Studies Curriculum When did the term “social studies” become legitimized? What is the Expanding Environments curriculum? What were the last impacts of the New Social Studies?

Social Studies Themes What are the ten NCSS social studies themes? How does the Common Core State Standards relate to social studies?

Constructivism and Social Studies Why does constructivism dominate the thinking of scholars and writers in social studies?

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

Extension You receive an interview just as you were loosing hope of find 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.

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 impact? In what ways did the NCSS task force groups referred to in the chapter stress the role of thinking skills in social studies?

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),