Teaching and Learning Elementary Social Studies

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1: Social Studies: Definitions and Rationale

The Excitement and Wonder of the Quest

The Meaning of Social Studies

    A Goal Structure

        A Rationale

     Social Studies Curriculum Patterns

        Widening Horizons

        The Spiral Curriculum

     An Environment for Social Studies Learning

        Increased Learner Independence

        Differences among Learners

     The Roles of the Teacher

     Summary

     Continue the Journey

     Suggested Readings

Chapter 2: Children in a Democracy: Teaching & Learning Responsible Citizenship

   Citizenship and Civic Education

   The Citizen’s Role in a Democracy

   Becoming Active Citizens

      Engagement and Participation

      A Sense of Community

   Effective Citizenship

      Nurturing Young Citizens

      Perspective Taking

   The Meaning of Citizenship

   Summary

   Continue the Journey

   Suggested Readings

Chapter 3: Social Studies and Diversity in America

   Diversity in the United States and in the Classroom

   The Role of Social Studies Education in Promoting Pluralism and Diversity

      Cultural Sensitivity in Social Studies Curricula

      Creating a Culturally Responsive Learning Environment

   The Teacher’s Cultural Sensitivity  

   Preparing Children for a Diverse World

   Summary

   Continue the Journey

   Suggested Readings

Chapter 4: Setting and Achieving Social Studies Standards

   Content and Performance Standards

   The Nature of Knowledge

      Knowledge Received

      Knowledge Discovered

      Knowledge Constructed

   The National Council for the Social Studies Standards as Guide

   What Should Children Know and Be Able to Do?

   The Social Science Disciplines

   Summary

   Continue the Journey

   Suggested Readings

Chapter 5: Three Ways to Center the Social Studies Curriculum: Knowledge, the Learner, & Society

   The Learner-Centered Approach

   The Society-Centered Approach

   The Knowledge-Centered Approach

   Finding the Balance

   Summary

   Continue the Journey

   Suggested Readings

   Planning with Standards in Mind

   Teachers as Decision Makers

   Planning Lessons and Activities

   Teaching Concepts, Skills, and Values

   Unit Planning

   Developing a Unit Plan

   Summary

   Continue the Journey

   Suggested Readings

Chapter 7: Successful Strategies for Social Studies Teaching & Learning

   Five Principles of Effective Teaching and Learning

   Direct Instruction Strategies

      Teacher Presentation

      Class Discussion

      Demonstration

      Observations on Direct Instruction

   Indirect Instruction Strategies

      Role Play

      Interest Centers

      Group Investigations and Projects

      Reflective Thinking

      Creative Expression

      Content Analysis

      Differentiated Assignments

      Jigsaw-Peer Teaching

      Simulations

      Observations on Direct Instruction

   Summary

   Continue the Journey

   Suggested Readings

Chapter 8: Assessing Social Studies Learning

   An Overview of Assessment

      Why Assess?

      What to Assess?

      How to Assess?

   Integrated Assessment Strategies

   Portfolio Assessment

   Assessing Your Own Effectiveness

   Standards and Achievement

   Summary

   Continue the Journey

   Standards and Achievement

Chapter 9: Inquiry, Discovery, & Problem Solving: Children as Researchers

   Inquiry, Discovery, and Problem Solving

   Types of Inquiry Research

      Historical Research

      Descriptive Research

      Survey Research

      Experimental Research

   Assessment and Inquiry

   Metacognition and Inquiry

   Summary

   Continue the Journey

   Suggested Readings

Chapter 10: Social Studies and the Integrated Curriculum

   What Is Integration?

      Connecting Learning

      Groups and Individuals

   Projects as the building Blocks of Integrated Studies

      Characteristics of Good Projects

      Group and Individual Projects

      Kinds of Projects

All Things Are Connected

Summary

Continue the Journey

Suggested Readings

Chapter 11: Exploring Our Geographic world

   The Tools of Geography

   The Five Themes of Geography

   Helping Students Learn to Make and Read Maps

      Mental Maps

      Traverse Maps

      Aerial Photographs and Maps

      Changing the Scale of a Map

      Understanding Map Projections and Globes

   Helping Students Learn to Use Maps

      Finding Your Way

      Changes in Land Use

      Understanding Perspective

      Estimating Distances

      Maps in an Internet Connected Era

   Summary

   Continue the Journey

   Suggested Readings

Chapter 12

Making History Come Alive

   The Nature of History

   Why Should Young People Study History?

   The Power of Storytelling as History

      Biographies

      Historical Fiction

   Using Historical Sources

   Children as Historians

      Oral Histories

      Personal Histories

      Time Lines

      Experiential History Activities

Summary

Continue the Journey

Suggested Readings

Chapter 13: Social Studies and the Literacy Connection

   Toward a Literate Society

   Literacy and Democracy

      Reading and Writing

      Experience and Discussion

   Social Studies and Language Development

      Interpreting Text

      Journal Writing

      The Writing Process

   The Spoken Word

      Public Speaking

      Small-Group Speaking

      Informal Talks

      Group Presentations

   Media and Electronic Literacy

   Summary

   Continue the Journey

   Suggested Readings

Epilogue

   The Importance of Experiential Learning

   How Reflective Thought Develops

   Constructivism and Social Studies

   Strategies for Improving Learning

   Crossing the Frontier to Active Learning

   Suggested Readings

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