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Assignment: Review a Social Studies Resource

Criteria for Assessing Learning Materials: Two Samples

K-W-L Technique.

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South Option 2000-2001

Social Studies, History and Geography Education In Elementary Schools

Course Instructor:
Lucy Giannotta (South Option Coordinator)
Office: Room 11-158, 252 Bloor St. W.
Office Fax: 416-926-4744
E-mail: lgiannotta@oise.utoronto.ca

"Human development is an ongoing transaction between each of us and the surrounding systems. It is one’s conception of an ever-widening world and one’s interaction with it, as well as a growing capacity to discover, sustain or change it."

(Urie Bronfenbrenner, 1979)

Course Description

Social Studies is a wide-ranging, highly integrative subject that basically examines the study of human beings, their interactions and the various environments in which they find themselves (Ellis, 1981). In Ontario, we teach "Social Studies" up to grade six inclusive. In grade 7 and up, the subject becomes known as "History" and "Geography". As a participant in the Social Studies, History and Geography component of the Curriculum and Instruction course, you will be encouraged to actively experience, relate and reflect on a wide array of ideas and activities for teaching Social Studies. You will have an opportunity to explore and hopefully, gain a deeper appreciation for the vital role teachers play in stimulating and inspiring children to want to learn about their world.

Topics Of Study

Course Expectations

" With few exceptions the solitary animal is, in any species, an abnormal creature...The dominant principle of social life is not the struggle for existence, but cooperation...If we would seek for one word that describes society better than any other the word is cooperation."

Ashley Montagu

Course Assignments And Evaluations

1) Small Group Review/Presentation of Social Studies Resource

Based on an evaluation criteria developed in class, you will critically review, in small groups, a social studies, history or geography resource of your choice. You and your small group will present the resource and your evaluation to the rest of the class.

25% (15%Instructor and 10% Peers)
Due: Monday, January 8, 2001

2) Integrated Social Studies Unit

In the TES (Teacher Education Seminar) Course, you will examine the components of an integrative approach to unit planning. You will be assigned to apply the components of program planning to create your own practical template and describe a process for integrative unit planning that works for you. This assignment is worth 20% of the TES Course.

For this course, you will apply your template and process to design an integrated Social Studies, History or Geography unit based on a topic and strand outlined in the Ontario Curriculum. You will integrate the unit with a few specific language expectations organized in any of the three strands, writing, reading and/or oral and visual communications. Please note that you may wish to apply your work from the assignment, "Designing a Curriculum Unit" in the Language Course to this assignment.

It is expected that you will teach this unit during your second practicum. The integrated unit should be appropriate for the grade level you will be teaching during your practicum. Self-reflection on the implementation of your integrated Social Studies Unit during your practicum will be a necessary segment in your response journal and final response journal mark.

Weighting:30% (Instructor)
Due: Monday, April 2, 2001

3) Reflective Response Journal

It is highly encouraged that all entries in your response journal are conducted on-line. Throughout this course, you will be asked to reflect on a variety of topics and experiences. Remember that in the process of reflecting "... reflection questions can double the retention of the facts and concepts learned in an academic lesson." (Jeanne Gibbs)

25% (10% Instructor and 15% Self)
Due: Monday, December 11, 2000 & Monday, April 23, 2001
Weighting:(10% Instructor and 15% Self Assessment)

4) Professional Performance: 20% (Instructor)

Recommended Reading

Anderson, Diva. (1995/1999). Putting Social Studies in its Place. Toronto: Real World Publications.

Jeanne Gibbs. (1994). Tribes A New Way of Learning Together. California: Center Source Publications.

The Canadian Anthology of Social Studies (1997). Edited by Roland Case and Penney Clark

Pike, Graham & Selby, David. (1988). Global Teacher, Global Learner. Hodder & Stoughton.

 

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