This article talks about the importance of artistic depictions of historical events that can capture a student’s imagination. It states that using art in social studies requires moving beyond art appreciation toward nurturing a higher awareness level of inference and critical interpretation. In order to assist students in this process, the authors for this article have developed a scaffolding method (REED-LO) that supports the interpretation of a work of art and a Web 2.0 tool that is a freely-available Web-based Art Interactive Tool (WAIT) that enables students to virtually visit the selected works of art from a museum. Although it may be difficult and time/distance-limiting to arrange for students to go to a museum or a field trip, this tool brings the museum to the students and also allows them a more hands-on experience, as opposed to “sit and get” experience otherwise available, to learn, explore, and interpret works of art.
The goal of a teacher in a social studies classroom should be to improve the students’ critical thinking skills along with learning about the content matter of the subject they are studying. This article discusses the Constructivist theory of scaffolding and it is useful in this context because it allows teachers to teach the content as well as teach students the ability to analyze and critique information based on their own interpretation of the art that is being discussed.
As we discovered in class, the collective experience from social studies classroom was that, depending on the content and the particular teaching style of the teacher, lessons revolved around a worksheet where students find answers in a textbook or they are asked to do research on a building or landmark and then write about its histo...
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...m will help students become active participants in their community. Technology is a tool that can be used to create a constructivist classroom where students can build their understanding by using Web 2.0 features, such as WAIT, that they will use through their entire learning experience to help them make sound interpretations of what they are learning about. As a Social studies teacher, we should not be fearful of constructivism or the use of technology, rather we should embrace both as they create a rich learning environment and make the content area essential during a time when standardized testing is causing schools to not focus as much on these kinds of classes. With the implementation of the Common Core, it will now be more accessible and favorable to students to learn about the content areas while aligning lessons to language arts and mathematical standards.
This paper is a critique of an article written by McKinney and Jones (1993) entitled: “Effects of a Children’s Book and a Traditional Textbook on Fifth-grade Students’ Achievement and Attitudes toward Social Studies”. In their research the authors examined the effects of a children’s book and a traditional social studies textbook on knowledge acquisition and attitudes toward social studies and the textbook in a sample of 57 fifth-graders. It is the intention of the present paper to develop analytical discussion and the holistic interpretation of the McKinney and Jones’s quantitative study (1993).
Learning, “as an interpretive, recursive, building process by active learners”, interrelates with the physical and social world (Fosnot, 1996). “Assuming the role as ‘guide on the side’ requires teachers to step off the stage, relinquish some of their power, and release the textbooks to allow their students to be actively engaged and take some responsibility of their own learning” (WhiteClark, DiCarlo, & Gilchriest, 2008, p. 44). Furthermore, constructivism involves developing the student as a learner through cooperative learning, experimentation, and open-ended problems in which students learn on their own through active participation with concepts and principles (Kearsley,
Powell, K. Kalina, C. (2009). Cognitive and Social Constructivism: Developing Tools for an Effective Classroom. Education, 130(2), 241-250. Retrieved from http://proquest.umi.com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/pqdweb?did=1937522441&Fmt=7&clientId=22212&RQT=309&VName=PQD. (Document ID: 1937522441).
The following is a curriculum audit of six grade social studies at Rockmart Middle School. Also, to recommend changes to the six grade social studies curriculum with a textbook program, this will ensure that Polk School District has a differentiated rigorous curriculum which challenges all students to reach their full potential while in the six grade. Rockmart Social Studies students at the middle school level develop an increased depth of understanding of global society by expanding their learning networks through collaboration with experts and other students from our local and worldwide communities. At the same time, their understanding of the fundamental principles and values of American democracy
An important question if there ever was one, I asked a complete stranger they said, “A subject.” so I asked for more detail so they said, “A subject in high school.” Not exactly inspiring, of course they were not hoping to teach it, but still that is the attitude of someone who could have a kid sitting in a Social Studies classroom one day. The best solution to this problem “More care needs to be taken to tell students why social studies is important. This might be done by providing students with more community-based, ‘real world’ experiences which can help students learn for themselves the importance of being an active citizen.” (Why Kids Don’t Like Social Studies). Social Studies I think can be thought of as the study of humanity and everything it encompasses. It makes it extremely important to have a comprehensive understanding of what we should be expecting from Social Studies teachers. Benefits of understanding Social Studies can be best understood from the article “What is Social Studies?”, “Students who have these commitments, knowledge, and skills will be the most capable of shaping our future and sustaining and improving our
This practise of effective teaching and learning has relatively new in classrooms but has already made a great difference in the students’ abilities and interests both in and out of their studies. Constructivist teaching recognises and validates the student’s point of view rather then the necessity of a correct answer. The child is then able to reassess their knowledge and understandings, which in turn boosts self-esteem and confidence. It also encourages children to be involved in classroom activities by self-questioning, seeking answers, comparing situations and establishing links between different ideas. This is possible as constructive learning is transferable between different ideas. (Tutorial Notes, 28th July, 2004)
In education today, art studies are not often viewed as a priority for students and they very frequently get cut from school’s curriculum due to a lack of proper funding. Howeve...
“Art is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as pairing or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.” Throughout chapter one in Artworks for Elementary teachers it discusses art that serves multiple purposes; artists in society; tribal artists and folk artist; artists, creativity, and self-expression; artists are inspired and work in different ways; artist begin early or late in life. Throughout this chapter it discusses the knowledge about artists and how their artworks can inspire elementary students. Also, help the students have a better understanding of an idea, thought, or feeling expressed in some form.
...nstructivism. Core to social constructivism practices is the creation of a social environment where students can use language to communicate, collaborate and socially interact with each other to learn. The prevalence of constructionist principals in current education attests to the importance of Vygotskys’ theories and their successful application in the classroom.
Balanced programs for art education have been constantly changing and adapting over the years. One program that was developed back in the late 1960’s by Elliot Eisner incorporated three areas of art into the curriculum. These included art object, art criticism and the historical context of art. His program developed into a theoretical base for art curriculum in the elementary schools that is very similar to programs used today (Madeja 2001).
This report goes into detail about the reasons social studies is a core subject in the New Zealand curriculum, how social studies has a unique role in preparing children to be active and critical participants in a changing society, defines and explains what ‘powerful social studies’ is and lastly it will explain what qualities are required of a successful Social Studies teacher. For the purpose of this report “social studies is the systematic study of an integrated body of content from the social sciences and humanities to develop socially informed and effective citizens who are empowered with knowledge and skills in a changing society” (Barr, H., Graham, J., Hunter, P., Keown, P., & McGee, J. 1997, p. 5).
When starting this course, I was introduced to the main questions surrounding the field of Social Studies Education: What is Social Studies? Why and How should we teach it? From this class I have been able to understand each of these questions and how they interplay with one another, in order formulate my own thoughts on each. This combination of these questions ultimately defines why I feel I would be a good candidate to teach Social Studies. When coming to a conclusion regarding what the topic of social studies is, I realized that ultimately, it’s about people. The way people interact, alter their landscape, build systems of government, and shape the current society from past events. Each of these different human actions, it defines a specific
In most curricular areas the curriculum has become strict rules that need to be adhered to. The constructivist approach brings a new light to a child’s learning experience with the focus being on practical interactive learning. Children often experience this type on learning before they reach primary school. For example when a child encounters a jigsaw they are not just shown on a whiteboard how to finish the jigsaw, the child is guided by an instructor through hands on experience. The child learns techniques to then complete a jigsaw by themselves and will move on to complete more complicated jigsaws with time. Education should not be focused on day to day learning but more focused on life-long learning and experiences. Adopting the constructivist approach in the classroom especially through the subjects of history and geography is essential for children to reach their full learning potential.
Constructivism is a defined, when referring to the learner, as a "receptive act that involves construction of new meaning by learners within the context of their current knowledge, previous experience, and social environment" (Bloom; Perlmutter & Burrell, 1999). Also, real life experiences and previous knowledge are the stepping stones to a constructivism, learning atmosphere. (Spigner-Littles & Anderson, 1999). Constructivism involves the learner being responsible for learning the material and, not necessarily, the teacher (Ely; Foley; Freeman & Scheel, 1995). When learning occurs, the goals, values, and beliefs of the individuals need to be linked to the new data. Also, in constructivism, the person, who is taking in the knowledge, can somehow filter, amend, and reformat the information that he or she feels is important to the schema (Spigner-Littles & Anderson, 1999). A constructivist learner uses the creative approach to apply their own meaning to a topic using the social and cognitive circumstances around themselves (Bloom; Perlmutter & Burrell, 1999). A short and sweet summary of constructivism is "how one attains, develops, and uses cognitive processes" (Airasian & Walsh, 1997).
Social Studies education is a subject in today’s schools that is undervalued. The study of social studies in schools help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world (Seefeldt, Castle, & Falconer, 2010). When participating in social studies class children are learning so much about who they are, where they came from, how to succeed in the world, and more. Most of what we teach daily includes an aspect of social studies. But, since the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 de-emphasis or nonexistence of elementary social studies is the national focus because of high stakes testing (Sunal, & Sunal, 2008). Social studies