Chapter One- Methods of Social Studies

Essential Questions

Response

1. What are your memories of social studies curriculum and instruction from elementary school years? Middle school years? Write about these experiences and identify what these experiences taught you. Did experiences help to understand any of the 10 themes that have been identified by the NCSS?

1. My memories of social studies curriculum and instruction from elementary school are dismal. I do know that one of my favorite subjects in elementary school was social studies. I liked the study of history and how our society became the way it is today. Then in middle school, my awareness of what was going on around me increased. I began to get more involved in social studies. I liked the teachers who taught it and the way it influenced people in society. I think the reason I am so outgoing and responsible today is because of the lessons I learned from taking all of the social studies classes in the elementary and middle school. I believe that the 10 themes identified closely with my curriculum in elementary and middle school. The 10 themes are ones that are highlighted in almost every social studies book a student will see. Culture, time, continuity, and change, people, places, and environments are just some of the basic outlines I had as a kid in social studies. I think that is what drew my interest so heavily towards social studies.