Education Commons^™

The Experiences Of Secondary Social Studies Teachers With Historical Thinking Skills, Denise Lorraine Trombino

Teaching & Learning Theses & Dissertations

In this descriptive, mixed methods study, the researcher investigated secondary social studies teachers' college course experiences with and classroom use of historical thinking skills (HTS). Questionnaires were distributed to 160 teachers in a large public school system in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Forty percent of the questionnaires were returned. From the 40%, a purposeful sample was created. Observations, interviews, and analysis of instructional documents were used to gather data from the purposeful sample. The results showed that high school social studies teachers reported a range of experiences with and use of HTS. Teachers reported more exposure to …

Chapter 4: Teaching Civic And Governement, And Economics, Andrew P. Johnson

Elementary and Literacy Education Department Publications

This chapter examines the teaching of civics and government, and of economics. Below are listed the NCSS teacher expectations in each of these content areas as well as ideas for teaching. This chapter ends with a description of global education, a newer area of social studies that incorporates a variety of disciplines and their global impact.

This article is an excerpt from Johnson, A. (2009). Making connections in elementary and middle school social studies (2nd ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.

Situating The Georgia Performance Standards In The Social Studies Debate: An Improvement For Social Studies Classrooms Or Continuing The Whitewash, Michael K. Barbour, Mark Evans, Jason Ritter

Education Faculty Publications

After approximately two decades of using the Quality Core Curriculum, in 2005 the State of Georgia began the process of implementing the new Georgia Performance Standard. In this article the authors examine the strengths and weaknesses of this new curriculum, along with the proposed model of implementation. In this examination, the authors will attempt to situate both the standards and their implementation within the current political struggle over curriculum in the United States.

Mentoring Student Teachers From A Distance: An Action Research Project, Michael K. Barbour, Anthony Thomas, Jason Ritter

Education Faculty Publications

At a large public university in the south eastern United States, prospective middle and high school social studies teachers complete a four semester undergraduate program that prepares them for the classrooms of America. Like many programs, this one begins with an introductory course that provides students an opportunity to explore questions about the nature, purpose, and practices of social studies in the modern school curriculum. As a part of this course, students also develop a rationale for teaching social studies which is used as a part of admission into the Social Studies Education program. Once they have been admitted to …

A First Grade Social Studies Curriculum: Bread, Dafni Manalis

Graduate Student Independent Studies

I implemented a social studies unit on bread with twenty first graders in a public school setting in the Fall of 2002. The unit incorporated a four month inquiry based study which provided the students with hands on activities, trips, and research based opportunities. Throughout the unit I observed and documented the students work and experiences in a variety of settings. I am presenting the bread curriculum as it was designed this fall with the 6-7 year olds because I believe it is a deeply enriching program that can be molded to fit and be successful with most classroom settings. …

"We're Studying You": Dilemmas In, And Approaches To Social Studies Curriculum About "Other" Cultures, Joseph Bacal

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Studies of "other" cultures are a major part of many elementary school programs. This paper applies some of the recent thinking in anthropology to my own praxis as a teacher. From this standpoint, I ask a number of questions about the theory and practice of "studying" groups of people. How are representations of people created and framed for children? How do children read and interpret these representations? What are different ways that social studies materials construct versions of people? What kind of representations do I want to use in my teaching and how do I want to use them?

I …

Learning Through Meaningful Work: The Post Office Job At City & Country School, Scott Moran

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This independent study is a description of the Post Office job at City & Country School. The school runs a jobs program for children ages eight to thirteen years old (third - eight grades). The eight year old group runs the school Post Office. Chapter 1 presents an introduction to City & Country School. Chapter 2 discusses the Post Office job and its development through the course of a school year. Chapter 3 discusses the developmental orientation of the jobs program. Finally, chapter 4 raises other topics for discussion, including the possible sociopolitical implications and subject integration issues involved in …

Integrating Expeditionary Learning Philosophy And Principles Into The Middle School Social Studies Curriculum, Paul Andrew George

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to create a handbook of activities for eighth grade social studies teachers that are based on expeditionary principles, philosophy and pedagogical practices. A review of the literature focused on the academic and social implications of integrating expeditionary philosophy and practices into an academic enviornment. A model learning expedition was provided accompanied by various forms of assessment strategies and methods.

Webquest : Using Internet Resources For Cooperative Inquiry, Andrew J. Milson, Portia Downey

Curriculum and Instruction Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Honors Program For The 7th Grade Language Arts / Social Studies Block Classroom, Rachel Lewis Ulmer

All Graduate Projects

The focus for this project is to establish a curriculum outline as well as develop appropriate supplementary projects for a seventh-grade Language Arts/Social Studies Honors program. The rationale behind such a program is discussed, as well as outlining the program structure. This includes student selection, entry, and expulsion from the program. There are seven units outlined, each of which has unit goals, activity descriptions, and project information and materials.

An Adaptive Curriculum Students With Special Needs, John E. Janke

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to adapt existing social studies program materials for use with students with special needs in selected Washington State middle/junior high school. To accomplish this purpose, a comprehensive literature review of research related to social studies curricular and students with special needs was conducted. Existing curriculum was adapted, with special attention given to Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALR) requirements. The project materials relate to European history from ancient to modern times, and may be a model for adapting other materials by other teachers.

Theme-Based Portfolio Assessment In Social Studies Teacher Education, Andrew J. Milson

Curriculum and Instruction Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Challenging The Norms: Democracy, Empowering Education, And Negotiating The Curriculum, Joshua Sean Thomases

All Faculty and Staff Papers and Presentations

Discusses the principles of a democratic classroom, and how implementing these principles can create a powerful environment where extensive and in-depth learning truly happens.

Read Aloud Effectiveness On Comprehension And Attitude In Junior High Social Studies Classroom, Randy L. Hilbelink

Master of Education Program Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if reading aloud to eighth-grade students would have a more beneficial effect on students in the areas of comprehension and attitudes toward reading in comparison to students reading to themselves. Forty-one eighth-grade students in two separate classrooms were involved ina literature-based social studies unit. During a three-week time period one class had the historical novel Johnny Tremain read aloud to them while the other group read the same novel to themselves. Three comprehension quizzes were given as well as a pre-test and post-test using Estes Scale to Measure Attitudes Toward Reading.

The …

Teaching The Presidential Elections: A Social Studies/Service Learning Teaching Unit For The Middle Grades, Lisa M. Greco

Curriculum

Teaching the Presidential Elections by Lisa M. Greco is the first in a series of exemplary curriculum units on social studies and service learning developed by public school teachers and compiled by the Eastern Regional Information Center, School of Education, University of Massachusetts Amherst.

The idea for a series of curriculum units came from the National Service Learning Cooperative and the K-12 Learn and Serve America Clearinghouse who are affiliated with the ERIC Clearinghouse on Social Studies and Social Science Education. Both organizations wanted to showcase models of integrating service learning into history and social studies classes in elementary and …

Reflections On A Third Grade Social Studies Curriculum, Laura E. Gerrity

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This curriculum study is a narrative account of a teacher and the social studies curriculum she uses with her third grade class. The curriculum is divided into two main parts. One is a study of the students' culture and family history which involves interviews with the children's parents, an examination of maps and literature from those cultures, and a description of the way the students experience the study through their writings, drawings, and conversation.

The second part of the study is an investigation of the students' neighborhood and community. Through interviews with community members, neighborhood walks, and their own observations, …

Student Lessons To Enhance Reading Comprehension In The Social Studies Content Area, Dianne Marie Daily

All Graduate Projects

This project consists of lessons designed to increase reading comprehension of fifth grade students in the social studies content area. The lessons are developed based upon a review of research which indicates improved reading comprehension of expository text among students who are taught to use comprehension enhancing strategies. The activities include vocabulary development, text structure awareness, advance organizer usage, and study and reading guide strategy lessons. Additionally, a teacher's guide accompanies the lessons. These lessons are created specifically for use with the Civil War Unit entitled, "A Nation Divided," as found in Macmillan/Mcgraw-Hill's 5th grade social studies text entitled, United …

Whole Language Based Strategies For Teaching Reading In The Content Areas, Ingrid Annemarie Spencer

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a thematic unit for use in a sixth grade classroom. The unit provides a whole language, integrated curriculum concentrating on ancient Greece. Fifteen lessons were developed for use with a social studies text to teach reading strategies to a class of sixth graders. The project includes a review of selected literature related to the topics of whole language instruction, thematic units, integration, and an explanation of how to utilize the project in a sixth grade classroom. A summary with conclusions and recommendations was included.

Schema Theory And Application For The Content Teacher, June Allen Carpenter Darling

All Graduate Projects

Schema theory, research, and implications for the classroom were studied. Based on research, teacher resources, and curriculum demands, instruction was designed for a secondary teacher of United States History. During a workshop, four secondary teachers from three districts reacted to research and instruction. A video tape was developed showing schema theory concepts, related research, application for the content teacher, and reactions from secondary teachers. Implications for the content teacher are discussed.

Teach The World: Lessons About The Real World, Robert David Paine

All Graduate Projects

This project is a compilation of 24 personalized cultural geography lessons about the real world. It was developed utilizing travel and living experiences which occurred to me during a 20-year period of my teaching life. The focus of the lessons is the removal of the students from their place and a gaining of perspectives of other people in other places. The lessons are suitable for secondary students and concentrate on the areas of geography, economics, planetary degradation, culture, and religion. Research can be found which supports the study of global education as a basis for a more enlightened and productive …

Adapting The Outcome-Based Education Instructional Process To A Fourth Grade Social Studies And Science Curriculum In The Cascade School District, Daniel J. Roche

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to utilize the Outcome-Based Education (OBE) instructional process to develop a curriculum in social studies and science for fourth grade students at Osborn Elementary School, Leavenworth, Washington. To accomplish this purpose, student learning objectives, unit objectives, lesson objectives, and lesson plans were adapted to the OBE instructional model.

Literature-Based Social Studies Learning Activities For First Grade Students In The Selah School District, Selah, Washington, Bonnie D. Isom

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop literaturebased social studies learning activities to be used with first grade students in the Selah School District. To accomplish this purpose, literature-based social studies learning activities for first grade students were gathered and developed for inclusion in a teacher resource packet. Appropriately used, children's literature can enhance learning in social studies and lead to increased teacher effectiveness.

Young Geographers: How They Explore The World And How They Map The World [4th Ed.], Lucy Sprague Mitchell

Books

"Lucy Sprague Mitchell's thesis is that through their own experiences children can learn geography, and that through geography children can learn about the human world."-- Foreward.

A Model For Developing A Curriculum Database, Allan W. Pfiffner

All Graduate Projects

This paper presents a computer file of non-cataloged media for teaching Social Studies in the Franklin Pierce School District's elementary schools. The file is maintained by the use of a minicomputer database. Materials are drawn from the file by descriptors used to describe the contents of the item. The database file was used to enhance the teaching of Social Studies by first, saving the teachers time in locating materials, and second, helping point out other items they may not have known existed in the district.

A Curriculum Enrichment Guide For Special Education Teachers To Aid In Developing Strategies To Teach Social Studies, Claudia Moody Wiggins

All Graduate Projects

A curriculum enrichment guide was developed to help intermediate special education teachers to adapt social studies material to meet the needs of each individual special education student. Eight supplemental units were developed to be used in conjunction with the Follett Social Studies text Exploring Our World: The Americas, level 5, (Ahlschwede, 1977). Each unit included: 1) key concepts; 2) vocabulary; 3) strategies for instruction; and 4) student involvement.

A Study Of The River : Social Studies As The Core Of The Curriculum For Five And Six Year Olds, Carol Yahr Tucker

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Using social studies as the core of the curriculum is an effective educational framework for five and six year olds. When this curriculum starts with the children's life experiences and goes on to study some aspect of their community or environment, children can begin to understand the interconnectedness of the adult world. Young children feel the excitement of learning when they immerse themselves in a study; they find that learning can be a vital process related to their needs and experiences, rather than a dry transfer of skills and pre-existing bodies of knowledge.

The Orient In Elementary School Social Studies, Judith Rogers

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this investigation (1) to make a study of the Oriental Studies content suggested in textbooks, curriculum guides, and "new social studies programs" used extensively in elementary schools in the state of Washington, and (2) to develop suggested Oriental Studies content for elementary schools, with particular grade level specifications, keeping in mind the changing social structures of our society.

Enrichment Activities In Arithmetic, Social Studies, And Sciece For The Gifted Intermediate Graduate Student, Walter Ned Croshaw

Graduate Student Research Papers

This paper is offered as a starting point for the teacher seeking challenging, creative activities for the gifted child. It is hoped that suggestions contained herein can be adapted to meet classroom situations and serve as inspiration for new and better activities. Due to the limited space available, emphasis will be laid on enrichment activities in arithmetic, social studies, and science. The language and fine arts offer limitless opportunities for enrichment. Arithmetic, social studies, and science also offer excellent enrichment opportunities, but often these are not so evident as in other areas. For that reason, an effort will be made …

Teaching The Past And The Present, Lucy Sprague Mitchell

69 Bank Street

Volume 1, Number 1, October, 1934

"A report of informal discussions on curriculum by teachers of nine- and ten-year-old children."