21st Century Social Studies

What is social studies in the 21st Century?

rapid changes in technology

children bombarded with messages on
tv, web, and others

Quote from NCSS website:
Unless children acquire the foundations of knowledge, attitudes, and skills in social studies in the important elementary years, it is unlikely that teachers in the junior and senior high schools will be successful in preparing effective citizens for the 21st century.

Many and varied resources to teachers

What challenges do teachers of social studies face?

Time restraints

Lack of professional development

Need for time to explore mass of resources

Focus on high stakes testing/Reading and Math

Students' lack of background knowledge and experiences

Why is social studies important in the 21st Century?

Effective citizenship skills must begin in early interactions with others

To teach students to "know the right thing to do, value it,
and do the right thing" from: Duplass, James.2007. Elementary socials studies: Trite, disjointed, and in need of reform. The Social Studies, 98(4),137-144.

For effective, productive citizens of world, country, state, city, school, and family

Reminded of 4-H pleadge

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Prepare students to be capable of making decisons that are good and right for all

How can teachers provide powerful teaching of social studies and address the challenges?

Professional Development

National Council for the
Social Studies membership

Anneburg Learner

Collaboration with colleagues

Advocate for change with local leaders,
professional organizations, state leaders,
publishers, and other leaders in the field

Children's Literature

Notable Book List

Read Alouds

Curriculum Integration

Social Studies themed centers
during reading block

Integrate themes with weekly reading story

Change in use of textbook:
Use as base for concepts, vocabulary,
Big Ideas - not the sole source

Engage Students

Manipulative floor maps, graphic organizers,
goup discussions, vocabulary activities

Technology

Virtual Field Trips

Virtual Battlefield Maps and Tours apps

Learn 360

Address 10 themes: