SOCIAL
STUDIES: HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY
- A Component of the Curriculum and
Instruction Course
The Social Studies component of the Curriculum
and Instruction course "requires you to examine yourself as an
individual, as a member of a group or groups and as a member of the
human race" (Anderson, 1995/1999). Social Studies is an amalgamation
of seven traditional disciplines called the social sciences. These
include: History, Geography, Economics, Anthropology, Political
Science, Sociology and (Social) Psychology. Social Studies has been a
part of curriculum in the province of Ontario since the late 1960s.
In Ontario, we teach "Social Studies" up to and including grade six.
In grade 7 up, the subject becomes known as "History" and
"Geography."
In this part of the Curriculum and Instruction
course, you will gain an understanding of Social Studies as being
interdisciplinary, integrative, and based in people. Social Studies
content will be integrated with your Teacher Education Seminar, and
your Literacy and Arts components.
You will be able to:
- articulate a response to the question "What
is Social Studies?";
- articulate personal beliefs and experiences
related to Social Studies;
- articulate the purposes and goals of Social
Studies;
- demonstrate an understanding of
relationships between child/youth development and how Social
Studies is taught in schools; i.e. "start with the
child";
- demonstrate an awareness of the current
Ministry of Education and Training policies and directions related
to the Primary/Junior/Intermediate divisions;
- critically analyze various Social
Studies/History/Geography documentsand curriculum
guidelines
- demonstrate familiarity with Social Studies
resources --e.g. books, journals, kits, websites, Ontario Ministry
of Education Documents, Curriculum Planner, School Board
Documents
- demonstrate an understanding of how to
integrate Social Studies into other subject areas such as Science,
Language Arts, Mathematics, and the Arts;
- demonstrate integrated unit planning in
Social Studies;
- be aware of locations for field trips that
would support an integrated curriculum.
Course
Evaluation
Three of your major assignments and your mark
for Professionalism contributes to your grade in the Social Studies
component of your Curriculum and Instruction course as follows:
- Diversity among Learners 15%
- Action Research 15%
- Portfolio 40%
- Professionalism 30 %