Teaching and Learning Elementary Social Studies » (9th Edition)

Are you looking for a resource that will provide you with practical, yet proven, social studies strategies to use with children in grades K-8? Look no further, explore the new edition of Teaching and Learning Elementary Social Studies to find a wealth of lesson plans and practical guidance. This perennial best-seller provides instructional strategies for involving K-8 children in social studies content that emphasize concepts, inquiry, and moral development. Widely admired for its warm voice and abundance of children’s art and writing, this text integrates constructivist philosophies of active learning with the essential knowledge, basic skills, and positive values required of citizens in a healthy and diverse democracy.

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1: Social Studies: Definitions and Rationale

The Excitement and Wonder of the Quest

The Meaning of Social Studies

A Goal Structure

A Rationale

Social Studies Curriculum Patterns

Widening Horizons

The Spiral Curriculum

An Environment for Social Studies Learning

Increased Learner Independence

Differences among Learners

The Roles of the Teacher

Summary

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Suggested Readings

Chapter 2: Children in a Democracy: Teaching & Learning Responsible Citizenship

Citizenship and Civic Education

The Citizen’s Role in a Democracy

Becoming Active Citizens

Engagement and Participation

A Sense of Community

Effective Citizenship

Nurturing Young Citizens

Perspective Taking

The Meaning of Citizenship

Summary

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Suggested Readings

Chapter 3: Social Studies and Diversity in America

Diversity in the United States and in the Classroom

The Role of Social Studies Education in Promoting Pluralism and Diversity

Cultural Sensitivity in Social Studies Curricula

Creating a Culturally Responsive Learning Environment

The Teacher’s Cultural Sensitivity

Preparing Children for a Diverse World

Summary

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Suggested Readings

Chapter 4: Setting and Achieving Social Studies Standards

Content and Performance Standards

The Nature of Knowledge

Knowledge Received

Knowledge Discovered

Knowledge Constructed

The National Council for the Social Studies Standards as Guide

What Should Children Know and Be Able to Do?

The Social Science Disciplines

Summary

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Suggested Readings

Chapter 5: Three Ways to Center the Social Studies Curriculum: Knowledge, the Learner, & Society

The Learner-Centered Approach

The Society-Centered Approach

The Knowledge-Centered Approach

Finding the Balance

Summary

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Suggested Readings

Chpater 6: Planning for Social Studies Teaching & Learning

Planning with Standards in Mind

Teachers as Decision Makers

Planning Lessons and Activities

Teaching Concepts, Skills, and Values

Unit Planning

Developing a Unit Plan

Summary

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Suggested Readings

Chapter 7: Successful Strategies for Social Studies Teaching & Learning

Five Principles of Effective Teaching and Learning

Direct Instruction Strategies

Teacher Presentation

Class Discussion

Demonstration

Observations on Direct Instruction

Indirect Instruction Strategies

Role Play

Interest Centers

Group Investigations and Projects

Reflective Thinking

Creative Expression

Content Analysis

Differentiated Assignments

Jigsaw-Peer Teaching

Simulations

Observations on Direct Instruction

Summary

Continue the Journey

Suggested Readings

Chapter 8: Assessing Social Studies Learning

An Overview of Assessment

Why Assess?

What to Assess?

How to Assess?

Integrated Assessment Strategies

Portfolio Assessment

Assessing Your Own Effectiveness

Standards and Achievement

Summary

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Standards and Achievement

Chapter 9: Inquiry, Discovery, & Problem Solving: Children as Researchers

Inquiry, Discovery, and Problem Solving

Types of Inquiry Research

Historical Research

Descriptive Research

Survey Research

Experimental Research

Assessment and Inquiry

Metacognition and Inquiry

Summary

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Suggested Readings

Chapter 10: Social Studies and the Integrated Curriculum

What Is Integration?

Connecting Learning

Groups and Individuals

Projects as the building Blocks of Integrated Studies

Characteristics of Good Projects

Group and Individual Projects

Kinds of Projects

All Things Are Connected

Summary

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Suggested Readings

Chapter 11: Exploring Our Geographic world

The Tools of Geography

The Five Themes of Geography

Helping Students Learn to Make and Read Maps

Mental Maps

Traverse Maps

Aerial Photographs and Maps

Changing the Scale of a Map

Understanding Map Projections and Globes

Helping Students Learn to Use Maps

Finding Your Way

Changes in Land Use

Understanding Perspective

Estimating Distances

Maps in an Internet Connected Era

Summary

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Suggested Readings

Chapter 12

Making History Come Alive

The Nature of History

Why Should Young People Study History?

The Power of Storytelling as History

Biographies

Historical Fiction

Using Historical Sources

Children as Historians

Oral Histories

Personal Histories

Time Lines

Experiential History Activities

Summary

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Suggested Readings

Chapter 13: Social Studies and the Literacy Connection

Toward a Literate Society

Literacy and Democracy

Reading and Writing

Experience and Discussion

Social Studies and Language Development

Interpreting Text

Journal Writing

The Writing Process

The Spoken Word

Public Speaking

Small-Group Speaking

Informal Talks

Group Presentations

Media and Electronic Literacy

Summary

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Suggested Readings

Epilogue

The Importance of Experiential Learning

How Reflective Thought Develops

Constructivism and Social Studies

Strategies for Improving Learning

Crossing the Frontier to Active Learning

Suggested Readings