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!
