EDLC 636 Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School

An analysis of trends and practices of teaching social studies in the elementary school. An emphasis will be made on how to transfer theory into practice through preparation of activities and materials appropriate for the elementary classroom and critical reflection on those very materials and approaches. Students will plan instruction considering student-based diversity, instructional demands of the field and the best integration of other tools and disciplines. Teaching candidates will be required to prepare these instructional elements focused on the Virginia Standards of Learning.

Cognitive skills evolved from the need to place a heavier emphasis on content being developed in the General Studies, while the technique for communicating those skills to elementary grade children has been designated as the role of the School of Education. In the area of social sciences, the focus must be upon the development of cognate skills as opposed to the mere retention of facts. Current teachers must stay abreast of the latest approaches to instructional practice in elementary social studies, to include general philosophical approaches and specific tools and techniques.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes (CLO: A, B, D)

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the candidate will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the candidate will participate in four Discussions in this course. The original thread to the question posed must be at least 400 words and include 2 scholarly sources to support the candidate’s assertions. This parameter helps to promote writing that is both thorough and yet concise enough to permit other candidates to read all the posts. Appropriate references must be made in current APA format. The candidate is allowed to use the first-person voice in his/her posts. There are to be at least 2 replies to other candidates’ original threads. Each reply to an interaction must be at least 200 words. (CLO: A, C, D, F)

Digital Scrapbook Project Assignments (2)

This two-part Digital Scrapbook Assignment invites students to explore current research-informed trends in elementary social studies instruction and present them in a creative, engaging scrapbook format. Designed for future and current elementary educators, the project encourages scholarly inquiry, synthesis of educational research, and imaginative classroom application. The candidate will select 5 current trends or best practices that enhance social studies learning, provide at least 10 sources cited in APA format (including at least 5 peer-reviewed journal articles), and prepare a 6-8 page presentation document based on the provided content prompts in the instructions document. (CLO: A, B, C)

Technology Portfolio Assignment

For this assignment, the candidate will identify forms and applications of technology for use in an elementary school social studies classroom and will describe the general applications of these technologies, specific applied activities in the general social studies arena, and provide an evaluation. A portfolio of 10 technologies (2 uses for each of the 5 categories) is to be developed. (CLO: A, D, E)

Lesson Plan Assignment

Each candidate is expected to complete a standard lesson plan as part of this course. The standard lesson plan format provided must be used, and all reference materials must be cited in APA format and included in the final submission. (CLO: B, C, D, E)

Unit Portfolio Assignment

Each candidate will produce a unit of instruction. The plan will be given as a PowerPoint presentation with a maximum of 20 slides. The intent of this project is to help the candidate see the big picture for instructional design on a specific topic. All resources used must be cited in current APA format. (CLO: B, C, D, E)

Strategies Portfolio Assignment

Each candidate will select 5 chapters from the Obenchain & Morris textbook and write a strategy similar to what the text teaches using a provided template. Each strategy must be presented in 1-2 paragraphs with all sources used cited in current APA format. (CLO: A, D, E)

Quiz: Civics Education Module

For this assignment, the candidate will complete the Civics Education module found at the Virginia Department of Education. The civics module serves as online training required for candidates seeking the elementary endorsement or the middle and/or secondary social science endorsement. The certificate of completion should be submitted by candidates for Gate 4 licensure paperwork. (CLO: A)