Social Studies Minor Lab Week 1 – What is good social studies instruction and why do we teach it?

Information If you have not already, read the syllabus before going any further. You are responsible for understanding all expectations and due dates put forth If you have questions please contact me Saada.najwan@gmail.com

What is Social Studies? How would you answer this question? Read the National Counsel of Social Studies intro below: http://www.socialstudies.org/toolkit

Why Teach Social Studies? Click on and read the position statement below from the National Counsel for Social Studies http://www.socialstudies.org/positions/powerful What are the 5 parts of powerful social studies instruction? Do you agree with these? If you do why? If you so not what would you change?

Two Pronged Assault On Social Studies Media The influence and dominance of media in our culture has a direct impact on how citizens participate in our society Read below: http://www.socialstudies.org/positions/medialiteracy Standardized Testing Social Studies has been crowded out in the standards movement in favor of more “measureable” subjects Consider how these might influence how you teach and what you teach

Social Studies in Michigan Here is the Michigan Counsel for Social Studies Plan: http://www.mcssmi.org/index.php/about-mcss-mainmenu- 29/strategic-plan-mainmenu-75 What is similar from the national ideas? What is different? Spend some time looking around their website

State Standards for Michigan Here are the state standards for Michigan (Just skim this): http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/SS_HSCE_2107 39_7.pdf. Also, the two files are uploaded in the wiki under the first meeting. Read the pages 20, 39, 52 and 67 for the high school, and pages 34 and 35 for the middle school level. As you read keep in mind this is “everything” high school students should know before they graduate What subjects/topics are included? Which are omitted? Do you agree or disagree with what students should “know” related to social studies?

Psych/Soc. Minors You will notice Psychology and Sociology do not have standards nor are they required in Michigan Here are the national standards from their advocacy groups: APA http://www.apa.org/education/k12/national-standards.aspx Sample Sociology http://www.usd441.org/pages/uploaded_files/Sociology%20Draft.d oc

Recap – Consider these questions What is good social studies instruction? Why do we teach social studies? How is social studies treated in curriculum and testing? How will the demographics of where you teach impact your social studies instruction? What is the impact of the media, and social networking on social studies instruction?

Week 1 Assignment On the discussion board in the Wiki answer the questions by Wednesday March 18th 5PM EST (About 300 words) Post your response to a classmates answer by Monday March 21st 5PM EST (About 100-200 words) A clear, supported position and meeting the deadlines will result in a pass for the week Email me with questions: saada.najwan@gmail.com