WELCOME New Teacher Orientation Elementary Social Studies

Some Thoughts About Teaching Elementary Social Studies

Teaching and Learning Social Studies “…liberty and justice for all” Public education’s role - develop citizens with the knowledge, civic dispositions, and values to advance our constitutional democracy So… as a teacher, what does that mean for me? Discuss importance of social studies in terms of providing students a well rounded education…(beyond it being a state/district requirement) Why? Note…bullets should be clicked on one at a time “…liberty and justice for all”: The country’s founders envisioned these important principles for generations of citizens Public education’s role - develop citizens with the knowledge, civic dispositions, and values to advance our constitutional democracy. Our schools lay the foundation that students need to begin their development as citizens who will live in, work in and shape the future of our democratic society. By now, you are probably thinking…as a teacher, what is my role in this? What impact do I make in my students’ development? (continues on next slide) Purpose of creating citizens that can understand and uphold our democratic form of government, understand the world, its past and present. Relevance to their daily lives…how communities, local, state, federal government function, their role as citizens, how “ordinary citizens” can make an impact in their communities

Teaching and Learning Social Studies As teachers you are… Educating tomorrow’s citizens…shaping our future It is a short answer…with great implications for the role of teachers….(2 clicks to reveal Creating tomorrow’s citizens and picture) Let’s think about this for a moment…as elementary teachers, you are providing the first educational experiences that introduce students to the concepts that comprise the social studies curriculum. In your classrooms sit the future generations of voters and adults who will help to shape history.

Teaching and Learning Social Studies Students enjoy learning about social studies Department of Social Sciences New Social Studies Textbooks As new teachers, there is plenty of “good news” about social studies instruction…here’s a glimpse of it. We will discuss these in details later…but for now, know that you can successfully teach social studies as a beginning teacher. But first, let’s take a look at the students of M-DCPS

Who Are Our Students? In the 2016-2017 school year M-DCPS teachers taught 356,086 students who… Represent over 100 countries Speak about 150 languages As a large urban school district, our diversity is impressive. Let’s take a close look at who are students are….this helps us think about how important social studies instruction is our community.

Top 10 Home Languages Other Than English Spanish Haitian-Creole Portuguese French Russian Zhongwhen (Chinese) Arabic Italian Creole Vietnamese A significant segment of our student population comes from all parts of the world. (note: the world has 196 countries so we have “almost half of the world in M-DCPS”) But regardless of where they are born, Social Studies is for ALL Students Each has a different story given the unique circumstances of their lives, the countries they came from, their culture/beliefs, etc. Education, specifically, Social Studies education, helps our students understand the country’s history, democratic principles, government, etc. and prepares them to be “engaged citizens”

Teaching and Learning Social Studies Teaching students VS Teaching content Good TEACHERS Teach STUDENTS Discuss importance of this statement…how teachers must understand student’s learning styles and needs. Books, computers, pacing guides, charts, maps, globes are our tools… But it is up to us to find the best strategies, methods of instructional delivery and activities and resources to optimize students’ learning experiences

K-5 Social Studies Curriculum What should elementary students learn?

K-5 Social Studies Curriculum Standards for Instruction Florida’s Standards reflect the foundational expectations of what students should know and be able to do in each grade level, from kindergarten through 12th grade. Social Studies Pacing Guides include Strands, Standards, Benchmarks

K-5 Social Studies Curriculum Standards for Instruction Florida’s Standards reflect the foundational expectations of what students should know and be able to do in each grade level, from kindergarten through 12th grade. Social Studies Pacing Guides include Strands, Standards, Benchmarks

K-5 Social Studies Curriculum Next Generation Sunshine State Standards Benchmark Coding Scheme Strand Key American History = A Civics and Government = C Geography = G Financial Literacy = F SS 3 A 1. 1 Subject Grade Strand Standard Benchmark Brief discussion so that teachers have a general understanding

K-5 Social Studies Curriculum Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) Example from Grade 3 Strand American History Standard 1 Historical Inquiry and Analysis Benchmark Code: SS.3.A.1.1 Analyze primary and secondary sources. Brief discussion so that teachers have a general understanding 4 Strands American History, Civics and Government, Geography and Economics

K-5 Social Studies Curriculum Elementary School Courses-Themes Kindergarten: Living, Learning & Working Together Grade 1: Our Community and Beyond Grade 2: Who We Are As Americans Grade 3: The United States and It’s Neighbors Grade 4: Florida History Grade 5: United States History

K-5 Social Studies Curriculum M-DCPS Student Progression Plan Minutes of Classroom Instruction K-1: 60 minutes per week 2-5: 120 minutes per week Discuss schedules…created by school, etc.

K-12 Shared Responsibility K-12 Social Sciences skills: Analyzing Primary and Secondary Sources Citing Evidence to Support Conclusions Developing Positive Civic Dispositions “engaged citizens” Evaluating Credible Sources of Information Developing Respect & Appreciation for History “cultural literacy” Speaking and Writing to inform and support and argument/persuade Emphasize that these skills: Directly support literacy (reading, writing, speaking) Promote thinking critically

K-5 Social Studies Curriculum What should happen in a social studies classroom? Inquiry-based activities Lively discussions and debates Questions, questions, and more questions! Looking at issues from multiple perspectives Finding evidence in text and pictures/reasoning based on evidence Strong connections to literacy – literacy-based activities Videos Projects, crafts and games Remind teachers about the slide indicating that students like to learn about ss…these activities are why they will enjoy learning. Also discuss what should not happen or at least on a regular basis…copying definitions, rote memorization of dates, facts, etc.

Resources for Social Studies Instruction Department of Social Sciences Website Top three resources (remind them that this is on their handout New books, DOSS website, Pacing Guides Important Resources New Instructional Materials Department of Social Sciences Website Social Sciences Pacing Guides

Resources for Social Studies Instruction New 2017-2018 Instructional Materials K-2 – McGraw Hill Networks 3-5 – TCI Social Studies Alive Discuss overview of new books and online resources, training, etc. K-2 connections with reading series “Wonders” Talk about demo site..books not in schools for opening of schools Access to textbook “Demo Sites”… Department of Social Sciences Website Current News Folder “New Social Sciences Textbooks”

Resources for Social Studies Instruction Department of Social Sciences Website M-DCPS Social Studies Pacing Guides Department of Social Sciences Website Go to the website and show teachers the pacing guides and resources and explain each section. Refer them to the handout with the various lessons. http://socialsciences.dadeschools.net

Have a great year! Mr. Bob Brazofsky Department of Social Sciences 303 995 1982 305 95 1982 Mr. Bob Brazofsky Executive Director Ms. Raquel Sotolongo Curriculum Support Specialist – Elementary Curriculum Support Specialist