Ten Themes That form the Framework of the Social Studies Standards Kelsey Hall LTEC 4100 Chapter 12/ Social Studies

The National Social Studies Standards The purpose was to “address overall curriculum design and comprehensive student performance expectations.” The goal was to educate the teacher in every aspect on Social Studies instead of focusing on one particular area. Released by NCSS in 1994

Theme #1 Is used in courses such as geography, history, sociology, and anthropology. Culture is preparing students to answer the following questions: What are characteristics of different cultures? How do religion and political ideals influence peoples culture? Culture

Theme #2 We as people want to know where we came from, what’s our part, and how as the world changed over time? Humans want to know where the are located in time. Time appears mostly in history. Time, Continuity, and Change

Theme #3 Students understand the people, places and environments around them. (Not just where they live) This theme appear in course dealing with area studies and geography. Students need to understand the following questions: Where are things located? Why are they located where they are? How do landforms change? People, Places, and Environments

Theme #4 “Personal identity is shaped by culture, groups, and institutional influences.” (pg. 347) This theme appears in courses such as psychology and anthropology. Students need to understand the following questions: How do people learn? Why do people behave as they do? How do people develop from youth to adulthood? Individual Development and Identity

Theme #5 Schools, churches, families, the government, and courts all play a role in our lives. It is important for students to understand how this different institutions/groups work and what controls them. This theme appears in courses such as sociology, anthropology, psychology, political science, and history. Individuals, Groups, and Institutions

Theme #6 “Understanding the historical developments of power, authority, and governance and their evolving functions in contemporary U.S. society.” (pg. 348) This theme appears in course such as government, politics, political science, history and law. Student need to understand the following questions: What is power? What forms does it take? Who holds it? How is it gained, used and justified? Power, Authority, and Governance

Theme #7 We as human want want and want some more. This theme appears in courses such as economic concepts and issues. Students need to understand the following questions: What is to be produced? How is production organized? How are goods and services distributed? Production, Distribution, and Consumption

Theme #8 Life in today's world makes it impossible to not use technology and the science that supports it. The theme appears in courses such as history, geography, economics, civics, and government. Students need to understand the following questions: Is new technology always better and old? How can we cope with the ever-increasing pace of change? Sciences, Technology, and Society

Theme #9 In today's world, we are connecting with countries all of the world. Students need to understand the reason behind the connection. This themes appears in courses such as geography, culture, and economics. Global Connections

Theme #10 It is important for students to know the importance on full participation in society. This theme appears in courses such as history, political science, and cultural anthropology. Students need to understand the following questions: What is civic participations? And How can they be involved? Civic Ideals and Practices

TIP Model Scenario #1 1.1 What technology-based strategy could Mr. Daley use to address this need? #9: Use software such as VoiceThread to allow for real-time collaboration around numerous forms of content.- (This kind of hands-on software allows students to post content and comment on each others work in an online learning environment.) 1.2 What would be the relative advantage of using this strategy? The students would be able to input all of the things that they found out about their subject and than be able to see what their fellow classmates found as well. 1.3 What would you suggest that Mr. Daley have his students produce to show the results of their work? How might he asses this product? I would suggest that Mr. Daley use Microsoft Excel to input all of their information. This way the information will be laid out for the student as well as their peer.