KUTZTOWNUNIVERSITY

Department of Elementary Education

ELU 570– Seminar in Elementary Social Studies Instruction

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is an examination of historical antecedents, present practices and emerging trends in elementary social studies instruction. Such topics as: planning a social studies program, evaluation of teaching materials and examination of methods of instruction will be explored. Provision is made for students to work on individual curriculum projects. 3 s.h. 3 c.h.

RATIONALE

Local, State, and National standards for social studies all dictate that elementary school teachers have a thorough understanding of the methodology for teaching: 1). the social science knowledge base, 2). democratic beliefs, 3). thinking and participation skills. The goal of this process is to instruct and model social participation in a multi-cultural, global society.

OBJECTIVES

At the conclusion of this course students will be able to:

  1. Identify the historical antecedents of Social Studies
  2. Explain the process of curricular change in social studies from 1700 through the present
  3. Identify the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) plan for the 21st century
  4. Identify the goals and objectives of elementary social studies programs
  5. Develop a curricular model of today’s social studies
  6. Identify and explain the rationale for the contemporary issues in social studies
  7. Identify and demonstrate the strategies appropriate for elementary social studies
  8. Evaluate and review current social studies curriculum resources

COURSE OUTLINE:

I.Nature of Social Studies

A. Definition

B.NCSS guidelines

C.State regulations

D.Historical development

1.Before 1900

2.1900-1950

3.1950-1970

4.1970-1990

5.1990 to present

II.Goals and Objectives

A.Types

1.factual and conceptual knowledge

2.skill development

3.citizenship values

B.Sources

1.NCSS

2.Academic disciplines in social science

a.History

b.Geography

c.Economics

d.Anthropology

e.Political Science

f.Sociology

g.Psychology

3.Textbook series

4.District curriculum guides

5.National standards

III.Curriculum Organization Models

A.Hanna Model

B.Twin Spiral Model

C.Social Issues Model

D.NCSS Curriculum Model

E.California Curriculum Model

IV.Contemporary Instructional Themes

A.Global Education

B.Multicultural Education

C.Environmental Education

D.Law Related Education

E.Death Education

F.Values Education

G.Peace Education

H.Economic Education

V.Instructional Strategies

A.Concept Teaching

B.Inquiry Method

C.Discovery Learning

D.Cooperative Learning

E.Role Playing and Stimulation

F.Computer Assisted Instruction

G.Oral History

H.Action Learning

I.Literature Based Approach

VI.Instructional Resources

A.Types

1.Teacher made

2.Commercial

B.Format

1.Print

a.Tests

b.Periodicals

c.Original documents

d.Maps

2.Non-print

a.Video/film

b.Other visuals

c.Audio

d.Manipulative

3.Electronic

a. Software

b.On-line

VII.Social Studies for the 21st Century

A.NCSS proposal

B.Emerging needs

Instructional Resources

Alter, G. Monson, J., Larson, B., & Morgan, J. (2000). Social studies content for the elementary

school teacher. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall Inc.

Banks, J.A. (2001). Cultural diversity and education: Foundations, curriculum, and teaching. (4th ed.) Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon. LC3731 .B365 2001

Brophy, J. & Alleman, J. (1996). Powerful social studies for elementary students. Fort Worth,

TX: Hardcourt Barace & Company. LB 1584 B72 1996

Brown, C.S. (2000). Like it was: A complete guide to writing oral history. New York:

Teachers & Writers Collaborative. D16.14 .B76 1988

Chaplin, J.R. & Messick, R.G. (1999). Elementary social studies: A practical guide. (4th ed.)

New York: Longman Press. LB1584 .C47 1999

Davidman, Leonard & Davidman, Patricia T. (1994). Teaching with a multicultural

perspective: A practical guide. White Plains, NY: Longman Publishing Group.

LC1099.3 .D39 1994

Expectation of excellence: Curriculum standards for social studies. (1994). Washington, D.C.:

NCSS. LB1584 .E863 1994

Garcia, Jesus & Michaelis, John U. (2001). Social studies for children: A guide to basic

instruction. (12th ed.) New York, NY: Allyn & Bacon

Goode’s World Atlas (19th ed.) (1995). Chicago, IL:Rand McNally & Company.

G1021 .G6 2000

Grabe, M and Grabe, C. (2001). Integrating the Internet for meaningful learning. Boston, MA:

Houghton Mifflin Company. LB1028.3 .G72 2001

Hall, K.L. & P.D. Hall. (1982). The LehighValley. Woodland Hills, CA: Windsor

Publications. F157.L6 H34 1982

Maxim, G.W. (1999). Social studies and the elementary school child. (6th ed.) Columbus, OH:

Charles E. Merrill Publishing Co. LB1584 .M378 1999

Metcalf, F. D. & M.T. Downey. (1982). Using local history in the classroom. Nashville, TN:

The American Association for State and Local History. 973.07 M565u

National geography standards geography for life. (1994). Washington, DC: National

Geography Research & Exploration. G 72 G46 1994

National standards for civic and government. (1994). Calabasas, CA: Center for Civic

Education. LB 1584 N37 1994

National standards for history. (Basic Edition). (1996). Los Angeles, CA: NationalCenter for

History in the Schools. LB 1582 U6N37 1996

Nelson, M. (1998). Children and social studies: Creative teaching in the elementary

classroom. (3rd ed.) New York: Harcourt Brace Javanovich. HV6080 .H58 1996

Parker, W. C. (2001). Social studies in elementary education. (11th ed.) UpperSaddleRiver,

NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc. No call number available

PBS. (1987). Frontline: A class divided. (Videotape 316).

Peters, William. (1987). A class divide. New Haven, CT: YaleUniversity Press. 6773

Pryor, Caroline R. (2000). Democratic practice workbook: Activities for the field experience.

Boston, MA: McGraw Hill.

Savage, T. V. & Armstrong, D.G. (2000). Effective teaching in elementary social studies.

New York: Macmillan Publishing Company. LB1584 .S34 1996

Seedfeldt, C. (2001). Social studies for the preschool/primary child. (6th ed.) Upper Saddle

River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc. LB1530 .S37 2001

Simon, S. B., L.W. Howe, & H. Kirshenbaun. (1972). Values clarification: A handbook of practical strategies for teachers and students. New York: Hart Publishing Co. Inc.

BJ 1661 S55

What every young American should know and be able to do in geography: Geography for life.

(1994). Washington, DC: National Geography Research and Exploration.

G 72 G46 1994

Welton, D.A. & J. T. Mallan. (1999). Children and their world: Strategies for teaching social

studies. (6th ed.) Chicago, IL: Rand McNally. LB1584 .W42 1999

Wigginton E. (1985). Sometimes a shining moment: The foxfire experience. Garden City, NY:

Anchor Press/Doubleday. LA 2317 W49A38 1985

Zarrillo, J. J. (2003). Teaching elementary social studies: Principles & applications.

(2nd ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill.

Revised 08/2005

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