Learning Middle and High School Social Studies

Alicia Lucy

At the end of the lesson, the reader will be able to explain how learning Social Studies at the secondary level has changed since before the COVID-19 pandemic

1) At the end of the lesson, readers will be able to list 2 ways that learning has changed since the start of the pandemic

2) At the end of the lesson, readers will be able to explain the effect online learning has had on students

My Interview

I interviewed Heather Tarkenton, a tutor with Kumon, an educational service that tutors and helps educate students from PreK to 12th grade. From our interview, there were three major takeaways about how COVID-19 has impacted her students and their learning:

1) Social Studies is no longer a priority. With subjects like mathematics and reading being tested more often, many teachers are instead focusing on testable subjects, instead of giving students a well-rounded education.

2) Students are no longer feeling any responsibility for their actions (or sometimes lack thereof), and are neglecting assignments. They feel like there are no longer any consequences, and as a result, many have seen their grades falling.

3) Most students preferred learning and school before the pandemic, and wish that school would go back to the way it was before, when they could learn face-to-face and study each subject.

So What Has Changed?

Before the COVID-19 Pandemic, students were taught face-to-face, usually in a traditional to semi-traditional setting. Each subject in secondary education was given their own time scheduled during the day, when they could give instruction, collaborate with their peers, and be assessed on their knowledge. Now, most students are given a list of assignments to complete with a due date, and they are given no further direct instruction from their teachers. Sometimes, students are given a video to watch of the content, or they are sent out to read a textbook to find the information on their own.

What Exactly Does the State of Virginia Consider to be Social Studies?

In Virginia, History and Social Studies (Social Sciences) are lumped into the same category. Some examples of these classes are:

World History and Geography to 1500 (Required for the 9th grade SOL)
World History and Geography 1500-Present (Required for the 10th grade SOL)
Virginia and US History (Required for the 11th grade SOL)
Virginia and US Government
Psychology and Sociology
Art History
Economics
Ethics and Philosophy

Multiple Choice Questions

1) True or False: Students are actually performing better during the COVID-19 Pandemic

A) True

B) False

2) Which is not considered a "History or Social Science" by Virginia?

A) Advanced Placement Human Geography

B) Psychology

C) Geology

D) Politics and Ethics

Sources

Education, Virginia Department of. “History & Social Science.” VDOE :: History & Social Science Standards of Learning Resources, www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/history_socialscience/index.shtml.

Tan, G. (2020, October 13). Top ten ways to engage students in deeper learning during covid. Retrieved February 15, 2021, from https://www.aypf.org/blog/10-ways-to-engage-dl-in-covid/