Social Studies Manifesto!

     According to dictionary.com, social studies is the study of how people live and organize themselves in society, embracing geography, history, economics, and other subjects.  If this true, why is it NOT taught in our schools.  Social Studies is extremely important to learn to become an active part of society and it angers me that children know so little.  Social Studies is the study of ourselves! 
     I think at the beginning of the school year, it is important to learn the student's invisible knapsack.  Our invisible knapsack are important because the class can make connections to one another.  I think it is important as a teacher, to gain as much knowledge about your student's as possible.  Before I begin teaching my students I will need to know what they know about social studies.  Social Studies is easily integrated with other subjects, in my classroom I will do all I can to integrate Social Studies with other subjects, therefore if I have a principal that says we do not have time for Social Studies, I have made time; My way.  There are so many parts of Social Studies, for example archaeology, anthropology, economics, geography, history, law, politics, psychology, religion, sociology, etc.  All these are important to know.  I am not saying that a child must know all about all these subtopics at all, but this stuff is important.  Way too important to not be taught at all!  With all these options, there is bound to be something interesting for the children to learn and not just from a book.  Learning can and is fun, if it is taught the right way.  I will have an active classroom.  I will have hands-on lessons that engage the students.  I want my student's to be having fun and at the same time be learning.  Block city, the living history museum, and theatre are wonderful ways to have an active learning environment in the classroom.  I will use my critical voice when I believe it needs to be heard.  I  know at times, not everyone will agree, and I am okay with that.  I  just know that I want my future students to know more about Social Studies than I did growing up and even now.  I feel like I got ripped off during school!  I do not want my student's to be in college learning about the Boston Tea Party or why the Civil War was fought.  Because of my lack of Social Studies when I was younger, I will have to study a lot before I teach, but I don't mind doing this at all.  These are things I am interested in, which I was not get taught, therefore I will happily teach myself.  I will also teach my student's the truth as much as I can.  I will not sugar coat it, however I will not tell them the raw.  I do not want to scare them, I just want them to be knowledgeable of the truth.  I also want my student's to know basic geographical skills.  For instance,I want my student's to be able to look on a map and tell me where Europe is or what the capital of Tennessee is.  Geography is important and children can be learning basic skills before they begin school. 
     I have learned this semester how important Social Studies truly is.  Social Studies is the study of who we are, why would we not study that?  I, without a doubt, will integrate Social Studies any chance I get.  My student's will not only be doing social studies, but absorbing what they learned.  I want Social Studies to be just as important as Math and Science in my classroom.  I want my student's to leave my class one step closer to becoming an active part of society. 

P.S.  Thank you Dr. Meier for a great semester!  I really have a whole different perspective of Social Studies now and it is all because of you!  Thanks so Much!

Living Histoy Museum

Yesterday we started the Living History Museum.  I enjoyed it so much! I think this is wonderful activity for younger children if there are some boundaries.  I think this would be a several week process.  I think the children need opportunity in class to study a historical figure.  I also think the teacher needs to give them things to focus about their historical figure; good facts. For example, birth, death, cause of death, what made the person historical, what did he or she do to make a stand.  I also think that the children must make any costumes by themselves without spending any money.  I don't think it is fair when parents take over and act like it is a "fashion show."  I would be more concerned with the information that the children provide and that they learned something, rather than the outfit.  I learned a lot about Florence Harding, things I probably would never learned without this experience. 

Happy Thanksgiving

I think that Thanksgiving is almost a forgotten holiday.  It seems to me, people have fun at halloween and then up go the Christmas lights and tree.  I don't hear anybody talking about Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving is my favorite time of the year.  I love to spend time with my family and of course we eat fabulous food, but I also think about all the things in life I am thankful for. I am thankful for a roof over my head, food on my plate, and clothes to keep me warm.  People take this important needs for granted.  I am also thankful for the wonderful people in my life and my crazy animals.  I am thankful that I will have a lil' baby before I know it and I am thankful that I can go to school and get an education.  I know that I am very fortunate and blessed to have all this in my life.  It also makes me sad to think about these things because I think about the millions of people in this world that have none of these things, nor will they ever.  Thanksgiving is just a reminder of these things in life.  People should be thankful every day for what they have!

Facts Question Response is what we talked about in class.  I don't know why I am learning about this just now.  I think this a great way to comprehend and relate to what you are reading.  I will use this in my everyday reading and I will, without a doubt, show my students this.  I some times read and read and then forget what I read.  This is a great reminder to what you have read; you can refer back to your notes or your post-its.

Living History Museum

I am excited about the living history museum.  I think this assignment will be great for children to learn about different historians around the world.  I like that our assignment has few limitations, so we will have a variety of people that have impacted or made a difference in the world.  I think children will really enjoy dressing up in character and I think if they can relate to the person, they will learn more!

Mount Everest....WOW!

I guess I didn't really know too much about Mount Everest till class on Monday.  I guess I am surprised about the deaths? I don't know?  I guess I am more surprised about how many people attempt climbing knowing that you may never return.  I said I would like to climb it in class, however, I think my mind was changed.  I don't know if I would be that prepared to "maybe" die.  I would also be very mad, if I climbed all the way to the top and the sky was not clear. I would be pissed! You climb all that way, hours and days, to feel like you are on top of the world, and then you get up there and can't see.  I would be furious!  But for the people that have lost their lives, I believe they died doing something they were extremely passionate about, which is very courageous and I honor them for that.

VOTE

**I really enjoyed seeing everybody's view on Social Studies through their photo diary on Monday**
     Today is voting day and I have not went and voted yet.  I am going and I should have already, but time has just got away from me this morning.  Voting is a privilage.  Many people probably do not see at as a privilage till it is taken away from you.  For instance, I know a young man that has a felony and it bothers him every election because he can no longer vote, nor will he ever.  Many people complain about what goes on in our world but does not care enough to go vote when it is time.  I don't think people have the right to complain about any political party if they have not done their part in voting.  Does that make sense?   

Geocaching!!!!

Wow! I did not know a scavenger hunt could be so much fun!  Wednesday was the first time I heard about geocaching and I am still amazed by it.  I think it is amazing that there are so many caches around our area  and EVERYWHERE!  Maybe when I finally graduate, I will have a new hobby.  :)