Welcome to Social Studies for the

Elementary School! Make a name tent with first and last

name.

Draw an image of social studies from your past to share with the class. Think of something memorable (good or bad).

What is Elementary Social Studies?

Prepare young people for citizenshipCourses in history, geography and

social sciencesState and district curriculum

guides/standardsAdopted Textbooks

Examples of Typical Elementary Social Studies

Kindergarten- Self, Home, School Communities

1st Grade – Families2nd Grade – Neighborhoods3rd Grade – Communities4th Grade – State5th Grade – US History

Competing Visions of Elementary Social Studies

1) Transmission of the cultural heritage

2) Social science3) Reflective inquiry4) Informed social criticism5) Personal Development

Social Studies Should be Taught as: Transmission of

Cultural HeritageCitizenship Education Should Consist of: Transmitting traditional knowledge and values as a

framework for making decisions. Mainstream approach to elementary social studies Support for status quo Emphasis on Western Civilization Uncritical celebration of, and inculcation into

American political values and traditions Defines social studies curriculum as helping

children develop the skills needed by the society and designing school experiences that prepare children to fill adult roles.

Social Studies Should be Taught as:Social Science

Citizenship Education Should Consist of:

Mastering social science concepts, generalizations, and processes to build a knowledge base for later learning.

Emphasis on data-gathering skills Better coverage of discipline knowledge/content Preservation of separate disciplines Curriculum should equip students with knowledge that

is lasting, important and fundamental to the human experience.

Academic disciplines as storehouses of important knowledge and as sources of authority about how this knowledge is organized and taught.

Social Studies Should be Taught as:Reflective Inquiry

Citizenship Education Should Consist of:

Employing a process of thinking and learning in which knowledge is derived from what citizens need to know in order to make decisions and solve problems.

Emphasis on analyzing values and making decisions about social and civic issues

Influenced by John Dewey Discussions of problems and issues that feature

critical thinking, values analysis, and decision making

Social Studies Should be Taught as:Informed Social Criticism

Citizenship Education Should Consist of:

Providing opportunities for an examination, critique, and revision of past traditions, existing social practices, and modes of problem solving.

Curriculum should teach students to combat social injustice and promote social change.

Curriculum should center around social policy issues

Social Studies Should be Taught as:Personal Development

Citizenship Education Should Consist of:

Developing a positive self-concept and a strong sense of personal efficacy.

Curriculum planning should follow the natural course of child development

Content should connect to interest and learning needs associated with its corresponding ages and stages

How would you name your own position as an elementary social studies teacher?

How did you come to hold this position?

What do these varying perspectives demonstrate?

There is competition between well-articulated, alternative interpretations of how social studies carries out it “citizen education mission!”

NCSS Definition of Social Studies

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, archaeology, 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 decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.

Generalization #1

Social studies is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence.

Generalization #2

Within the school program, social studies provides coordinated, systematic study drawing upon such disciplines as anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, history, law, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, and sociology as well as appropriate content from the humanities, mathematics, and natural sciences.

Generalization #3

The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.

Social Studies as “The Great Connector”

Social studies is the core in which all parts of the curriculum can be tied.

Social studies can integrate math, science, art, music, physical education, health, reading, language arts, and all other content knowledge.

The school curriculum often splits knowledge into separate areas of study, but the real world, in which citizens live and work, is not so compartmentalized.

Reforms?

Core KnowledgeHistory FocusLiterature FocusIssue Analysis