4 things to consider in teaching social-studies subjects€¦ · 4 things to consider in teaching...
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31 May 2017
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4 THINGS TO CONSIDER IN TEACHING SOCIAL-STUDIES SUBJECTS by: Arwin Mira
Social Studies, as both science and art, posit some challenges to teachers on the way they handle
the subject. As a science, Social Studies delve on the social aspects that require higher critical
analysis and deeper reflection on human dealings. On the other hand, as an art, Social Studies hold
the grandeur of the classic narratives that shapes humanity since time immemorial.
Sadly, most often, given that these focus on the past -- and to some extent, compound by its nature
-- some students find these subjects mind-numbing, relatively unimportant on their day-to-day
scheme and irrelevant to their future lives. Not in general, but I am certain that social-studies
teachers already heard these common remarks from students who are enrolled in their subject. As
what others say, “If there’s a problem, there are always a lot of solutions.” therefore, social-
studies experts have come across their ways to help us make our students appreciate and realize
the essence of studying social-studies. Some vital considerations are as follow:
1. Make the Students Know Why Studying Social-Studies is Important. To make it
happen, we have here two pointers such as:
a. Make the Students Realize that Social-Studies is not about Memorization. It is a
Subject of Appreciation. As students work their way through school, they may be
memorizing information in each grade level, but are they really learning? According to Dr.
Bob Kizlik a U.S curriculum writer, wrote on his article “Ideas About Becoming a Good
Social Studies Teacher” in teaching social-studies, moving the students beyond
memorization will help them a lot do not just focus and stop on the names, places, dates
and events of your topics. Instead, highlight the importance and lessons behind every
history by using “how” and “why” instead of “what”. Social studies is probably best
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understood as an organized way of helping students develop understandings and
appreciation that have long-term staying power. If you made the students appreciate it,
meaning they absolutely learned from it.
b. Encourage the Students to Share their Experiences and Relate it to the Present
Situations. In teaching social-studies, the students can learn best when they could relate to
the topic. Thus, the teacher should always use the student’s experiences and relate it to the
current situations or issues on the society where they belong.
According to Christie Hinson Norris in her article entitled “Tips and Tricks for Engaging
Students in Social Studies Instruction” believes that the teacher should provide time for
students’ reflection that will allow them to respond with their feelings, experiences,
thoughts, and connect these back to the actual history throughout the lesson.
These will make the students realize that studying social-studies subjects is not just about
‘knowing’ the past but more on ‘understanding the significance’ of it to the present and to
their future.
2. Be an Exemplary Story Teller.
Aside from English and Filipino subjects, Social-studies has a lot of stories to tell which
commonly came from the history of various societies to the entire world and even the
universe. In some ways, good social-studies teaching rest on the ability to tell stories well.
According to Dr. Kizlik in his article “Ideas About Becoming a Good Social Studies
Teacher.” He suggests to not just read the stories to the students. Bring back the students
as if they are there. Gifted are those social-studies teachers who have an ability to give life
to the past by merely telling it. Filipino students are imaginative. Trigger it by using an
enthusiastic mode of storytelling as this will give an edge to a teacher to catch the full
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attention of their students that could possibly be stored on their long-term memories and
could lead to a better understanding of the topic.
3. Make it Fun and Memorable. Through ages, many experts in the field of education have
developed hundreds of different methods and strategies that facilitate the teaching and
learning process. But as per Dr. Kizlik is concerned, he believes that methodology without
subject matter content is not worth very much. Simply "knowing about" teaching methods
won't do. It denotes that no matter how countless methodologies of teaching we have, it
still depends on the teacher on how they will be used.
In relation to this, a great minded Albert Einstein defined insanity as “doing the same thing
over and over again and expecting different results.” If you feel students are not as engaged
in your social-studies lesson as you would like them to be, oftentimes the smallest of
changes can make a huge difference on students learning. In the first place, teaching
strategies were made not just to make teaching easier. These are also to entertain and to put
smile on the faces of our students while learning. Aside from being a good story teller,
since social-studies is an interdisciplinary subject, teachers should also allow the students
to use their talents and full potentials to explore the mystery of the topic. Remember, to
make the teaching and learning process memorable, make it full of joy. This can only
happen if the teacher knows what is best for their students. Isn’t it satisfying to see our
students leaving the classroom with smiles on their faces?
Go teach and explore not just in the four sides of the classroom. Sometimes, best learning
awaits those who leave their comfort zones.
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4. Be Passionate. Every teacher who entered teaching will agree that they took education
because they love it. We can incorporate it to passion. This virtue is the most important
recipe that every teacher should possess.
Of all these four considerations, having a passion is the most significant because without
passion, those abovementioned considerations will not matter. Teacher’s passion can be
observed when they have patience and love to what they do, no matter what circumstance
challenges them. Passionate teachers are those who keep thinking what’s best for their
student just for them to learn. According to Jordan Catapano in his article “5 Ways to Share
Your Passion for Learning” the teachers should open their own passion and get students
apply it too. Passionate teachers can move their students to defy mediocrity inside and out
of the classroom. It can only be done if those students were motivated by their teachers.
There may be a number of burdens that try to hold back your devotion in teaching but no
matter what happens as long as you love your students and you’re profession, just keep that
fire in your heart because your passion will be the reason for the brighter next generations.
Surely, there are some other ways on how we can teach social-studies subjects effectively.
We have our own culture, preferences, beliefs on how the students will learn best. But one
thing is for sure. We are the same with one goal -- this is to mold our students to be better
citizen of today and of the future not only on their society or nation where they belong but
a good citizen of the world. Quoting what the former South-African president Nelson
Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the
world.” If you believe in him, believe in yourself and together, let us make it happen!
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References:
• Kizlik, B. (2017) Ideas About Becoming a Good Social Studies Teacher. Retrieved from
http://www.adprima.com/socialteach.htm
• Norris C.H. Tips and Tricks for Engaging Students in Social Studies Instruction.
Retrieved from http://civics.sites.unc.edu/files/2012/05/SocialStudiesStrategies1.pdf
• Catapano J. (2015) 5 Ways to Share Your Passion for Learning Retrieved from
http://www.teachhub.com/5-ways-share-your-passion-learning