Last week, in my first blog post, I introduced the topic of how social studies is viewed in the regular public school system as a back-burner subject that is not highly focused on, and why social studies should actually be a subject that is just as important as reading and mathematics. For my blog post this week, I want to deepen and expound on why social studies is such a crucial subject to teach in elementary school and why coming to this understanding will produce a more effective, purposeful, and powerful elementary social studies teacher.
Have you ever heard the argument that elementary grades (K-5), specifically primary grades (K-3), should not devote much of their time to the study of social studies because the subjects of reading and mathematics should be the primary focus in order to develop reading, writing, and math skills in younger children? Have you ever heard the statement that social studies does not have much significance to elementary students, as it is a subject that upper grades should focus on in learning the duties and responsibilities of being a citizen? Yes, reading and mathematics is crucial to teach in lower grades as students begin to learn how to read and write and solve basic math equations, but social studies should be just as important as the other two subjects. Yes, social studies can be more relevant to adolescents learning what it means to be a citizen and understanding the history of our nation, but elementary students need to have a basic understanding of these concepts in order to have a deeper understanding for the future.
According to North Carolina's Standard Course of Study for Social Studies, social studies is crucial to the development of active, participating citizens: "The social studies in the elementary grades are crucial if we expect the young people of this state to become active, responsible citizens." If we, as teachers, do not start at the ground level in teaching social studies curriculum, then our students will not have a full understanding and the proper skills or attitudes needed for citizenship in the twenty-first century. The North Carolina Standard Course of Study for Social Studies also points out that: "Social studies at this level provides students with the skills needed for problem solving and decision making, as well as for making thoughtful value judgments." We have to start teaching social studies in the younger years, as this is a time in the childrens' lives when they begin to develop social, problem-solving, and certain societal attitudes and views that will influence the rest of their lives.
If the subject of social studies is so crucial to teach in elementary schools, why isn't it being taught effectively, and how can we solve this problem? It seems as if schools are not making time for social studies, as it is a subject that is not tested on, and teachers will only teach it if there is enough time in the day. According to the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), the average instructional time for social studies ranges from approximately 20 minutes or less per day at the primary level to 34 minutes in the upper elementary grades. If teachers could devote more time out of the day to the subject of social studies, then the social studies curriculum would be more meaningful and purposeful for the students. Integration is also a great technique to make time for social studies when there is not much time in the day.
Social studies should also be treated as an important subject to teach, with the incorporation of deep concepts, and not just a memorization of facts. NCSS also points out that: "... classroom treatment tends to reduce these topics to recitation of dates and places and displaces opportunities to explore relationships, draw inferences about human behavior, and make in-depth cultural comparisons." This form of teaching does not excite the students or allow the students to think critically and apply concepts to their lives. Next week, I will focus more and dive deeper on what concept-based instruction is and why this form of teaching should be taught in elementary schools to ensure meaningful, purposeful, and powerful social studies curriculum. Understanding and valuing the importance of social studies in schools as teachers is essential in being a meaningful and powerful teacher.
Links: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/socialstudies/scos/2003-04/015introk5
http://www.socialstudies.org/positions/elementary
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteIt is so important to form a solid foundation of appreciation for history as an elementary school child. Without this foundation, the subject is so taboo for middle school children, they often times don't have an interest in learning about this history because they've already gone through 6 years of schooling with very little of it in their schedule.
Also, you mentioned teaching concepts in social studies, rather than just topics. I really like this teaching we've been learning because it is far more applicable than just being able to list the presidents from George Washington to Barack Obama in order.
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI feel that many people discount the necessity for Social Studies. As you explained, North Carolina Standard Course of Study states that social studies is crucial in the development of students to be active and participating citizens. Last year I had to take American Government. In this class I was easily able to see that my former teachers neglected in teaching me the United States governmental system and how it was different from other systems. It was quite challenging for me in this course because I did not have enough prior knowledge to grasp important aspects of our country's governmental system. In not knowing my appropriate civic duty I did not vote in 2012 because I did not find it to be important. Social Studies is very important in shaping on future generations!
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the well-rounded response to the debate you posed in the opening paragraph of this blog post. I am impressed that you are already "connecting the dots" around the huge positive implications the instruction of social studies can bring to your future students! Your research into the NCSS and the Essential Standards show your commitment now to become an effective social studies in a few short years. FYI - I am going to share this post on Twitter and tag Fay Gore, the Chief of Social Studies at DPI. I want her to see your perspective.
Keep up the great work!
Jason Parker
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteReading your blog post from January 25, really made my heart sing! I am impressed with your insight. In education circles, we speak a lot about preparing students to be college and career ready, but not enough conversation on preparing students to be engaged and informed citizens. Franklin Roosevelt once said, "Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education." I would expand this thought to say that the disciplines that comprise the social sciences are the tools in our educational arsenal to prepare students to be civic ready! This preparation doesn’t just happen overnight. It is a continuum of exploration, contemplation, pondering, and understanding that begins in Pre-k. After such a thoughtful, well-written, compelling argument, I'm hopeful that you, Sarah, can make that happen for your future students! If I were a principal anywhere in the world, I would hire you in a minute! You really do get it. You are already a “meaningful and powerful teacher.”
All the best to you,
Fay Gore