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Social Studies in the Middle Teaching Assistant: Jeni Venker Weidenbenner, MLIS, MAT, PhD Student What does Social Studies include? Psychology Sociology Anthropology Religion Economics The Social Studies History Geography Political Science/ Law Philosophy Archaeology Social Studies is . . . “Social Studies is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence. Within the school program, social studies provides coordinated, systematic study drawing upon such disciplines as anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, history, law, philosophy, religion, and sociology, as well as appropriate content from the humanities, mathematics, and natural sciences. The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.” (Expectations for Excellence: Curriculum Standards for Social Studies, NCSS, 1994) Why is Social Studies in the middle? Mathematics The Arts The Social Studies Language Arts Natural Sciences Pair & Share Imagine that your middle school team is planning an integrated unit on sports and society . . . Think of a few guiding questions that you could use to focus the unit. Which core content areas do they encompass? Examples of Content Intersections Social Studies + Math = Which countries in the world have the highest percentages of middle school boys and girls playing team sports? The Arts Social Studies + The Arts = How has the role of dance in society changed in the past 100 years? Mathematics The Social Studies Language Arts Social Studies + Science = How have specific physical and environmental adaptations over the course of history affected humans’ capabilities to engage in different types of sports? Natural Sciences Social Studies + Language = Is it legal and/or fair to place gender restrictions on who can participate in intramural or interscholastic sports? What are the themes of Social Studies? • Culture • Time, Continuity, and Change • People, Places, and Environment • Individual Development and Identity • Individuals, Groups, and Institutions • Power, Authority, and Governance • Production, Distribution, and Consumption • Science, Technology, and Society • Global Connections • Civic Ideals and Practices Adapted from: Expectations of Excellence: Curriculum Standards for Social Studies, National Council for the Social Studies, 1994. What are the essential concepts of Social Studies education? • Causality • Conflict • Cooperation • Cultural change • Differences • Interdependence • Modification • Power • Societal control • Tradition • Values Adapted from:Szymanski Sunal, C. and Haas, M.E. (2005). Social Studies for the Elementary and Middle Grades: A Constructivist Approach, 2nd ed. Boston: Pearson. What attitudes and behaviors promote Social Studies learning? • Curiosity to Experience, Explore, and Investigate • Respect for Evidence – Asking for evidence (i.e. How do you know that’s true?) – Perseverance in gathering evidence – Consideration of conflicting evidence • Reserving Judgment • Flexibility in Drawing Conclusions (i.e. As far as we can tell . . .) • Sensitivity and Responsibility for Others and the Environment • Values, Morals, and Aesthetics