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What is Social Studies?
What is Social Studies?
Social Studies is a subject taught in schools that teaches students about different human interactions, so the students can be “informed, thoughtful, engaged citizens” (Kansas Department of Education, 2020, p.5). Social studies instruction includes 4 different content areas. These areas are history (world and American), civics/government, geography, and economics. Each one of these content areas are taught in each grade level. The Kansas State Social Studies Standards help teachers to understand what is to be taught at each grade level.
Social Studies is a subject taught in schools that teaches students about different human interactions, so the students can be “informed, thoughtful, engaged citizens” (Kansas Department of Education, 2020, p.5). Social studies instruction includes 4 different content areas. These areas are history (world and American), civics/government, geography, and economics. Each one of these content areas are taught in each grade level. The Kansas State Social Studies Standards help teachers to understand what is to be taught at each grade level.
Kansas State Department of Education. (2020). Kansas history, government, and social studies standards. https://www.ksde.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=s6aaq11LZjY%3d&tabid=472&portalid=0&mid=4744
Standards:
Standards:
For Social Studies, there are five broad standards. The standards are choices have consequence, individuals have rights and responsibilities, societies are shaped by identities, beliefs, and practices of individuals and groups, societies experience continuity and change over time, and relationships among people, places, ideas, and environments are dynamic. Within each of the standards, there are four benchmarks that start with lower order thinking then gradually move to higher order thinking. These standards and benchmarks move social studies to teach students the skills they will need to become effective citizens. Because the standards are so broad, there is a scope and sequence that indicates what content should be taught when. For example, in kindergarten, teachers focus on teaching students social studies content that relates to the sense of self. For more information on the standards, benchmarks, and scope and sequence check out the linked documents. They provide more in-depth information about each topic.
For Social Studies, there are five broad standards. The standards are choices have consequence, individuals have rights and responsibilities, societies are shaped by identities, beliefs, and practices of individuals and groups, societies experience continuity and change over time, and relationships among people, places, ideas, and environments are dynamic. Within each of the standards, there are four benchmarks that start with lower order thinking then gradually move to higher order thinking. These standards and benchmarks move social studies to teach students the skills they will need to become effective citizens. Because the standards are so broad, there is a scope and sequence that indicates what content should be taught when. For example, in kindergarten, teachers focus on teaching students social studies content that relates to the sense of self. For more information on the standards, benchmarks, and scope and sequence check out the linked documents. They provide more in-depth information about each topic.
Kansas Social Studies Standards and Scope and Sequence Infographic.
Kansas Social Studies Standards and Scope and Sequence Infographic.
S.S. Scope and Sequence.pdfThis document lists the KSDE Standards along with the Scope and Sequence for each grade level (K-6).
My Beliefs About Social Studies:
My Beliefs About Social Studies:
I believe that social studies is an essential part of a students well rounded education. There is a big focus on teaching reading, math, and stem, and I think that social studies is just as important because it teaches students skills that will help them become an active citizen. Social studies is also easy to use interdisciplinary. When teaching reading, students can read primary or secondary sources about social studies topics, so they are practicing reading and social studies skills; therefore, I plan on using social studies to plan interdisciplinary lessons because students can learn more than one valuable skill from the lesson.
I believe that social studies is an essential part of a students well rounded education. There is a big focus on teaching reading, math, and stem, and I think that social studies is just as important because it teaches students skills that will help them become an active citizen. Social studies is also easy to use interdisciplinary. When teaching reading, students can read primary or secondary sources about social studies topics, so they are practicing reading and social studies skills; therefore, I plan on using social studies to plan interdisciplinary lessons because students can learn more than one valuable skill from the lesson.
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