Teaching Elementary Social Studies James Zarrillo Chapter 1: An Introduction to Social Studies

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Teaching Elementary Social StudiesJames
ZarrilloChapter 1 An Introduction to Social
Studies

• Dr. Diane E. Newby
• Central Michigan University

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Chapter One

• An Introduction to Social Studies
• Definition
• History
• Standards
• Curriculum Sequence
• Curriculum Content

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Definitions Social Studies is the

• integrated study of social sciences and
  humanities to help students
• make informed decisions
• problem solve
• study of people to develop a shared sense of
  humanity
• acquire knowledge and master skill of learning to
  become active citizens.

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Progressive Era

• Francis Parker
• Children learn best when they have a vital
  interest in the topic.
• They are more motivated by actually performing or
  doing.
• First-hand experiences
• Freedom of movement.

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First-hand Experiences

• Field Trip

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Francis Parker

• Analysis
• Compare and Contrast
• Synthesis
• Creating
• Problem-solving
• Evaluation
• Different Points of View
• Find Generalization
• supporting evidence)

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Creating the Neighborhood
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Progressive Era

• John Dewey
• Child Centered Curriculum
• Provide children choices
• Manipulatives
• Activity based
• Learning resources in addition to the textbook

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Activity Based Synthesis or Creative
ThinkingIntegration of the humanities (art,
drama, and music)

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Progressive Era Spinoffs

• Open Education (learning centers)
• Montessori - child centered approach (children
  have innate mental powers and must be free to use
  them.)
• Summerhill (freedom to control learning)
• http//www.summerhillschool.co.uk/

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New Social Studies Era

• Bruner The Process of Education
• Big Projects
• Man A Course of Study MACOS
• Concept attainment and generalizations
• Spiral Curriculum
• Present big ideas for small children to understand

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Example of Spiral CurriculumConcept of Sequence
and Chronology
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Curriculum Sequence

• Social Studies Sequence of Study follows the
  Expanding Environments conceptual framework.
• See Zarrillo, page 15.

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Grade Level Sequence Expanding Environment
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Curriculum Content National Standards

• National Council for Social Studies, most
  important organization in creating social studies
  standards.
• See Zarrillo, Page 13.
• National Council for the Social Studies
• Curriculum Standards for Social Studies

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Curriculum State of Michigan Seven (7)
Perspectives
Four (4) Content/Knowledge Areas
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Michigan Curriculum FrameworkHistorical,
Geographic and Economic Perspectives
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Curriculum Content Organization

• Concepts (words or phrases) big ideas
• Generalizations statements of broad
  applicability
• Facts supporting concepts and generalizations
• Process Skills
• Inquiry (problem-solving, decision-making,scientif
  ic research)
• thinking (higher level),
• language arts
• visual and performing arts