Module 4.

Applying themes and disciplines

Module 4. – Applying themes and disciplines

A. OVERVIEW

Overview
In this module, you will explore the themes and disciplines central to social studies;
apply how lessons can be organized around themes and disciplines; analyze lessons in
terms of the themes and disciplines they cover and apply this discipline – based
thematic approach to your own lesson planning. This module is organized into four
(4) lessons as shown below.
Module 4. – Applying themes and disciplines
Lesson 1. Explore the themes and disciplines central to social studies;
Lesson 2. Apply how lessons can be organized around themes and disciplines ;
Lesson 3. Analyze lessons in terms of the themes and disciplines they cover;
and
Lesson 4. Apply this discipline-based thematic approach to your own lesson
planning.

B. LEARNING OUTCOMES
In this module, you are expected to:

a. Identify themes and disciplines in social studies;

b. Identify theme-based concepts and strategies used to teach them ; and
c. Apply content and methodology to your own teaching.

C. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Learning Activity # 1

Please briefly answer this question:

1. Getting Started
Watch the video introduction. As you watch, consider these questions:
● What are the building blocks for your social studies curriculum?
● How do you incorporate social studies standards into lesson content?
Module 4. Applying themes and disciplines

Learning Activity # 2

2. What Do You Know?

A graphic organizer can help you see the relationship among themes,
disciplines, and the concepts and processes taught. Use the Graphic
Organizer (PDF) to review the NCSS themes and corresponding academic
disciplines, then list social studies concepts you teach that relate to each
theme and discipline.
3. Reflect on Your Work
After you have completed the graphic organizer, review your answers and
consider the following questions:
● How was this similar to or different from the way you organize your
curriculum?
● How can NCSS themes and disciplines guide your teaching?

Read each of the articles listed below to learn how themes and disciplines
provide building blocks for social studies teaching.
After you read the articles, write answers to the following questions. You can
use the Reading Questions form (PDF).
1. What is the relationship between themes and disciplines?
2. How can themes and disciplines be used to develop units?
3. What are the criteria for authentic intellectual work in social studies?
4. Explain how integrated lessons maximize students’ skills and understanding.

Learning Activity # 3

Discuss the following.

Authentic intellectual work

 
Readings
Read each of the articles listed below to learn how themes and disciplines
provide building blocks for social studies teaching.
After you read the articles, write answers to the following questions. You can
use the Reading Questions form (PDF).
1. What is the relationship between themes and disciplines?
2. How can themes and disciplines be used to develop units?
3. What are the criteria for authentic intellectual work in social studies?
4. Explain how integrated lessons maximize students’ skills and understanding.
Module 4. Applying themes and disciplines

Learning Activity # 4.1

The following video segment provides classroom examples of theme-based

lessons in social studies.
View Video Segment: Theme-Based Lessons
You’ll find this segment approximately 14 minutes into the video. Watch for
about 19 minutes.
As you watch, note the themes, disciplines, concepts, and processes
demonstrated in the classroom examples. Record your observations on
the Viewing Chart (PDF), then compare your answers to those of the workshop
participants.
After you’ve completed the chart, write your answers to the following questions:
● How do the two lessons differ in terms of teaching strategies?
● How many disciplines does each lesson cover? What would you add?
● What factors determine whether a lesson plan is based on a single discipline or
multiple disciplines?
● What are the advantages of an integrated lesson plan?

Learning Activity # 5

Elaborate the following.

1. Developing Teaching Activities
 
Connecting Themes and Disciplines
Go to Interactive Activity
A non-interactive version of this activity is available as a PDF document.
Save your written work to submit as an assignment.
2. Planning a Lesson
Choose one of the teaching activities you listed in Activity 1 to develop a lesson.
If you are taking all eight sessions, continue to work on the unit you began in
session 1. Use the Planning a Lesson(PDF) worksheet to help you organize your
lesson plan. Be sure to include:
● Lesson title
● Theme
● Related disciplines
● Objectives
● Concepts and processes
● Learning activities and assignments
If you are taking all eight sessions for credit, you will continue to refine and
develop lessons in subsequent assignments. Save a copy of your work.
Save your written work to submit as an assignment.
Module 4. Applying themes and disciplines

View Video Segment: Mini-Lesson

You’ll find this segment approximately 33 minutes into the video. Watch for
about 25 minutes.
In this segment, workshop participants develop lesson plans based on the
book How Many Days to America? Note how they use themes and disciplines as
building blocks for their lessons.

Learning Activity # 6
In this session, you have observed how themes can serve as organizing strands
for the social studies curriculum. You have also practiced developing a lesson
based on themes and disciplines.
Now write a Summary (PDF) of what you’ve learned. Be sure to include:
● the relationship between disciplines, themes, concepts, and processes;
● how disciplines, themes, concepts, and processes help you plan content-rich
social studies units and lessons; and
● organizing or teaching strategies you plan to apply in your own teaching.

Learning Activity # 7

1. Explore: Read the articles and respond to the questions that follow.
2. Explain: Watch the video segment, complete the Viewing Chart, and
answer the questions that follow.
3. Apply: Apply what you’ve learned and complete the interactive activity,
Connecting Themes and Disciplines.
4. Apply: Complete the Planning a Lesson activity.
5. Evaluate: Summarize what you’ve learned and how you will apply new
strategies in your teaching.
Module 4. Applying themes and disciplines