With this course, I aim to gain a deeper understanding of the topics of study, as well as learning about a variety of instructional methods used in social studies. I hope to understand how technology can be incorporated into the subject matter as a means to keeps learner’s active and engaged throughout the content. I am eager to observe different hands-on activities that can be used to target the kinesthetic or visual learners in the classroom. Social studies/history has always been my preferred subject in school but I am aware that many students may view history as a mundane list of facts filled with memorization. My goal for this course is to obtain strategies to change that perception! In addition, my expectation for this course is that feedback will be provided as a means to observe my personal progress, understanding, and application of the coursework material throughout the semester.
3 thoughts on “Week 1”
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Beyond pedagogy, what topics do you hope to explore?
I’m glad that you want to change perceptions about social studies so that students see it as more than dates and facts.
Beyond regular feedback, do you have other expectations of us? Or your classmates?
Fourth-grade Virginia history is the reason why social studies always meant so much to me. After reading through the syllabus, I can see that those topics will already be touched. I am interested to learn about how to introduce the really tough topics to younger students and how to navigate those discussions. Even though this course is designed for the elementary classroom, with the politically-charged era that we’re living in, I am curious about limitations to material and choice vocabulary when introducing difficult content.
Other than to maintain a respectful classroom environment, my only expectation is that we are able to support one another in and out of the classroom as we all move toward the same goal. I know that social studies lends itself to political beliefs so if the opportunity arises, I would expect that we are able to communicate effectively and without bias.
Hi Stephanie,
Thank you for your thoughtful reflection! I am especially happy to know that Virginia Studies in fourth grade inspired your love of history! VS is a wonderful course to teach because there are so many connections that can be made for students. You will learn many ways to engage history this semester. I truly hope you will make your own connections to some of these strategies to include in your lesson plans and your own classroom one day. I look forward to giving you the feedback you need to learn. Thanks for the opportunity to be your instructor. Lynne