Enter the Discussion

Up
Requirements
Benchmarks
Lesson Plans
Publishing
Links

Elementary Social Studies
Workshop Introduction
 

"Next in importance to freedom and justice is popular education,
without which neither freedom nor justice can be permanently maintained."

James A. Garfield (1831 - 1881), July 12, 1880

¤

At the heart of social studies education is the need to prepare thoughtful, knowledgeable, clear-thinking citizens. Teaching social studies in the elementary schools is an essential part of an overall kindergarten through grade 12 social studies program. According to the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), the early elementary years are the ones in which children develop a foundation for the entire social studies program and a beginning sense of efficacy as participating citizens of their world.

Social studies is defined as the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence with the primary purpose of helping 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 (National Council for the Social Studies, p. vii). Therefore, it is crucial for early elementary children to begin the process of gaining a broad, interdisciplinary social studies education that will equip them to live effectively in the complex and interrelated world to which our country is inextricably connected.

These excerpts are as they appear in the section "Social Studies Foundations" of the ODE Academic Content Standards: ODE

 ¤
 

Dewey, Democracy, and Education

Several segments of the Social Studies portion of the Ohio Academic Content Standards insert and cite quotes from the works of John Dewey.  Dewey can be referred to as the 20th Century American pioneer of pragmatism.  Pragmatism is the educational philosophy that combines active learning with critical thinking as a means to understanding.  Dewey's approach supported the deliberately choreographed, directed activity where the learner takes charge of his or her own learning experience.  Dewey's approach also warns against opposing and disregarding the methods and lessons of the past.  Fighting the system is not the goal of pragmatism, nor the objective of democracy.  Pragmatism is the philosophy most closely aligned with the philosophy of the University of Rio Grande's Graduate Program.  By integrating Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences and concept of Entry Points with academic benchmarks as goals, the results are positive and profound.  As an interdisciplinary field, Social Studies can be  taught through a variety of disciplines connected by a thematic approach.  This requires the educator / facilitator to be equipped with resources that will provide this interdisciplinary life centered themes and methodologies.  My job as a facilitator of this workshop is to provide you with resources that will help you achieve your goals of reaching academic content standards with active learning approaches.  The best way to do this will be to provide you, elementary social studies facilitators, with a space to exchange your ideas and applaud your peers.  For further research, see "Experience and Education" and "Democracy and Education" and other titles by Dewey.