Putting Together All the Pieces of the Social Studies Puzzle

Putting Together All the Pieces of the Social Studies Puzzle

This blog focuses my reading and thoughts as to how to effectively lay the foundation for students to be engaged citizens, why it is important to teach social studies, and the different methods and strategies of how to teach, plan, and create a classroom environment that facilitates memorable learning.

Introduction

As a future Social Studies teacher to adolescents, I am very concerned about how well I can perform at my job.  That is, how will I implement 21^st Century teaching methods, effective classroom management procedures, cohesive unit plans, and ultimately provide my students with a ‘Wow’ learning experience?  Dr. Beal’s (2009) Teaching Social Studies in Middle and Secondary Schools provides a contextual framework on how to become a successful and sought after teacher in the Social Studies arena.  Along with the American Historical Association’s (2007) “Value of Historical Study” and “Methods of Instruction,” future teachers catch a glimpse into the discipline’s reasons and methods of why and how to become an successful teacher educator.  From defining the discipline, discussing the importance of teaching Social Studies, implementing teaching strategies that enable students to become investigative learners, to outlining the different methods of how to set up a unit plan, the future Social Studies’ teacher is given a toolkit to implement an enriched learning environment that enforces a citizenship education (Beal, 2009).  Not only will first-year teachers have to develop comprehensive unit plans, manage the classroom is a competent manner, and create a structured learning environment, but they will have to correlate their units to meet the standards and objectives outlined by the NC Standard Course of Study (2006).

Keys to Effectively Teaching a Robust Citizenship Education

Dr. Beal (2009) outlines the ever-changing definition of Social Studies and how this characterization now includes teaching that not only creates students who are knowledgeable about their own cultures and identity, but are tolerant and engaged as citizens in a worldwide economy.  Students must be able to live, compete, and work in our global and interconnected world.  Effectively teaching social studies to our young minds will shape and mold them into becoming investigative, engaged, and full participatory citizens.  Dr. Beal’s framework for teaching citizenship education made me aware of the arduous, time-consuming, and passion-filled task that lies ahead of me, especially in my first year of teaching.  She delved inside the methodologies of how to teach and creating a classroom environment that is positive and enriched with students who do not believe they can fail.  From planning to classroom management strategies to resources for teachers to use to prepare units and follow, these chapters provided a comprehensive and inclusive outline on how to get started. 

Following the NC Course of Study

Additionally, I just cannot pull lesson plans from a hat and teach them to the class.  Units, objectives, and lesson plans must have value not only to myself and the students, but also have to correlate with the NC Standard Course of Study (2006).  Following these guidelines is essential and mandatory if I am to retain my job!  So, if I am teaching Eighth Grade, then I must adhere to the conceptual map outlined by the NC Department of Education.  How I teach the materials, along with the style/presentation of materials is up to me; however, I have to realize the complexity and depth of the objectives and the limited time I will have to teach these topics!  Planning will be my best friend and certainly the most critical stage of the whole process.  The implementation of these strategies and taking all this advice and actually performing in the classroom is the scary part. 

Why Teach Social Studies?

Dr. Beal also defines and discusses why we should teach social studies and the scholarship that abounds about what comprises this field of teaching that is so instrumental is creating engaged and civic-minded citizens.  Complementing this discussion, the American Historical Association (2007) writes an extremely persuasive and passionate article on “The Value of Historical Study.”  I thoroughly enjoyed this article and certainly feel the same way.  Pulling a quote from the article that spoke volumes to me, the Association (2007) wrote,

“Believing, then, that one of the chief objects of study is to bring boys and girls to some knowledge of their environment and to fit them to become intelligent citizens, we need hardly say that, if the study of history helps to accomplish this object, the public schools of the country are under the heaviest obligations to foster the study, and not to treat it as an intruder entitled only to a berth in a cold corner, after language, mathematics, science, music, drawing, and gymnastics have been comfortably provided for.”

I loved the way the article compares and cites strong evidence as to how important teaching our youth the past, present, and other cultures through an investigative lens is just as or more important than the other disciplines.

Difference in Opinion in Methods

Also, the American Historical Association (2007) delineated the foundational methodologies of how to teach.  They insisted on textbooks, written works, tests, and the library.  While I am a proponent of all these methods to instill learning, I believe we must implement technology.  The library is essential, yet no longer does one have to physically travel to a library to perform research.  New technology has brought primary source documents to web-based catalogs.  I have found oral history reports, old newspapers, and plenty of primary source documents on my computer with greater ease than plowing through the dusty halls of Davis Library at UNC Chapel Hill!  So, in my opinion, the AHA should have another heading entitled “History through Technology!”

Conclusion

As a Political Science and History major, I have done plenty of postulating, theorizing, writing papers, giving presentations, etc.; however, my teaching experience has been limited and this new wealth of knowledge is outstanding plus overwhelming!  I look forward to implementing these methods, advice, strategies, and continuing to be a lifelong learner!