Date:

9/5/2016

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Name:
Class/Subject: EDTL 2760
McKinley James Armstrong
Intro to Teaching Social Studies
Title(s): What is Social Studies?
(1)National Council for the Social Studies. (1994). What is Social Studies? Expectations of Excellence:
Curriculum Standards for Social Studies. Washington, DC: NCSS, 1-3.
(2)Ohio Department of Education. (2010). Ohios new learning standards: Social studies
standards. Retrieved from: http://education.ohio.gov/getattachment/Topics/Ohio-s-NewLearning-Standards/Social-Studies/SS-Standards.pdf.aspx.
The Text Says
I Say
The goal of social studies is:
I was very glad to see this be echoed centuries
(1)To prepare students to assume the
later. It shows the importance of the discipline.
office of citizen in our democratic
Social studies literally makes better citizens..
republic.
no other class can say that.
(2)Prepares students for their role as
citizens and decision makers in a
diverse, democratic society
What sets social studies apart from other
subjects?
(1)topics, issues, and problems
transcend
the boundaries of a single discipline
and demand the power of
integration
(2)help students develop the ability to
make informed and reasonable
decisions for themselves and the
common good.

Although you could argue that a math class

demands integration, or even an
English/language course.. in those cases its
more of a stacking as you pass through each
class, using the information you learned in the
past year to learn more information.
Social studies classes truly do blend
together and with each new course you take
you gain new insight into the classes you have
already taken and you will gain more out of the
classes you will take in the future.

Connections:
What connects these readings to Why Kids hate Social Studies in my opinion is as follows;
These goals and standards are far more abstract than other studies. It can be hard to convince a 15
year old that he really is learning something important when sometimes there isnt a good way to apply
these skills outside of the classroom. After a math class you could better calculate your tips after work.
After an English class you can see/hear yourself writing and speaking better. After a social studies class,
unless you find a way to drive the importance of the course.. sometimes it just feels like you passed a
test.