Blog #3 - Social Studies Experience

                I had a discussion early on my first few weeks about how the daily schedule was laid out. I was very curious to find out where science and social studies fit into their daily routine for several reasons. One reason being they are the main focus on this semesters teaching and the second reason being I know that often times science and social studies are pushed aside to make more time for math and literacy. When discussing with my CT about this, she told me that social studies only takes place at the very end of the day, if time allows. This led me to reflect back to when I was in elementary school and I can see that things have really changed. When I was in elementary school, there was a time set aside where social studies was covered. I even remember in 5^th and 6^th grade, the whole grade would move around to different classrooms and learn social studies from another teacher. Since I have to leave my clinical sight before Sheridan’s school day finishes, I have never got to observe a formal social studies lesson.  However, from attending TCH 277 and taking part in our discussions, I have come to realize that social studies is so much more than I ever thought it to be. When I first came in to this semester, I had a good idea of what the overarching categories of social studies were which include history, economics, civics and government, and geography.  However, I did not have a good idea of what each of those categories really included.

                I went back to look over the Illinois Social Studies Standards Plus that was provided for us to see if I could make any connections to what I see in the classroom on a daily basis and what is considered social studies based off the standards. The first grade standards for social studies teach social studies through the integrating the context of school and families.  I came to realize that although I have never seen a formal lesson, many of the social studies strands are being covered on a daily basis in indirect ways.  My classroom is very focused on the idea of behavior and so many of the civics and government topics relate back to what we discuss in class. For example, standard IL.14.A.1 states describe the fundamental principles of government including representative government, government of law, individual rights and the common good. What the standards plus made me see is what this really means is explaining how decisions can be made, how conflicts can be resolved in fair ways, and knowing the reasons for rules in school.  When conflict or issues arise in my classroom, my teacher has always done a great job or explaining to students decisions they can make to help them either solve their issue or calm them down. From the beginning, she has provided students with a thinking space to go to resolve issues between classmates. We also cover the rules for the school very often as part of PBIS. The way that this relates to social studies is that my teacher doesn’t just remind the students of the rules but when discussing them, has discussion about why the rule is there and what it does to help everyone in the school.

                 I have also seen some parts of social studies integrated into other subjects, which is a great way of going about teaching it if there isn’t an allotted time to do so. I have seen economics integrated in with math when discussing money. My teacher doesn’t only use money for adding and subtracting purposes but has discussion that goes along with it when possible that talks about what you do with money and how you make money. I have also seen history integrated by using their morning meeting time to complete calendar. During this time they are distinguishing between days, weeks, years and are able to place themselves at a certain point in time.

                 Geography is not something I have seen as much of but this is what I will be using to conduct my formal Social Studies lesson.  My CT wanted me to complete a lesson that helps students better understand the concept of maps and although I am still thinking through exactly it is I want to do with my students, there are plenty of great standards that I can address using maps that will help students better understand the compass rose, cardinal directions, relative location, and map symbols.

                I know and understand that elementary school has changed but I have really come to learn the importance of students understanding these social studies standards. It has been the same way in my past clinical experiences, where there isn’t any formal instruction, which I think is a shame.  I understand that as a future teacher there are going to be certain expectations placed on me to cover certain things. Something I really want to do to integrate social studies is read a lot of books that cover the topics that need to be covered during group read aloud. I have done some research and there are so many great books out there that can help students reach the social studies standards that need to be addressed at the grade level. I also think it is important as a future teacher to make sure before I go into teaching at a school that I know what their policy on teaching social studies and science is. Do they teach alternating weeks, do they do one month at a time, or do they just squeeze it in when they can. I need to think through what I find important and that will help me make decisions on jobs.

Here is a link to some of the books that I found! 

Social Studies Books

Also, please check out my workjobs that I have posted below! Having ways for students to independently practice social studies is another great way to fit social studies in when there is free time! These workjobs are engaging and fun and can be completed without any assistance from the teacher!

Workjob 4

This is a 2nd grade History workjob that I created called United States Holiday Matching Workjob. In order to complete this workjob students will match a set of picture cards to the written descriptions of the holidays. The materials include picture cards that can be found in a bag on the back of the folder.

Extension Activity: Add a calendar to the workjob with velcro on the days that these events take place. Allow students to connect the velcro picture strip to the correct date that it occurs. Students can check their answers by looking back at the descriptions. 

OR

Add notebook paper that students can add information about how they celebrate these holidays. You would also need to include a pencil. This way, when other students are learning about the holidays, they can see how other memebers of their classroom celebrate these traditions.

Workjob 3

This is a Kindergarten Economics workjob that I created that helps students learn about the differences between goods and services. It also helps students understand what types of jobs produce a good or provide a service. In order to complete this workjob students decide if the job picture is a good or service and then match the job picture to the job title.

The jobs that the students will learn about include:

Baker

Construction Worker

Farmer

Veterinarian

Police Officer

Doctor

Nurse

Teacher

Mail Man

Firefighter

A book that a teacher can use to help students learn about goods and services is What Are Goods and Services by Carolyn Andrews

There are also some great youtube videos to help your students understand:

Goods and Services - YouTube

Goods and Services - YouTube

Workjob 2

This is a 1st grade civics and government workjob that I created. This workjob is titled Symbols of the United States. This workjob consists of a set of puzzles that help students learn about the different symbols that represent the United States. The students take out the puzzle pieces and match up the picture of the symbol, the title of the symbol, and some facts that describe the symbol.

The symbols the students learn about in this workjob include:

• The American Flag
• The Statue of Liberty
• The Lincoln Memorial
• The Liberty Bell
• Bald Eagles
• The White House

Some books you could read to go along with this activity to activate knowledge include:

• U.S. Symbols by Ann-Marie Kishel
• Celebrate America by Mary Firestone