Curriculum Constructs and Assessment: Secondary History/Social Science

This course defines and provides a context for teaching and assessing students in the areas of history and social science based on scope, sequence, and national and state standards. Instructional approaches for the content area within the framework of an integrated curriculum are explored, including the use of critical thinking skills and study skills. Students develop alternative assessments and traditional testing tools based on clear criteria, which are designed to yield accurate information on student progress.

Topics and Objectives

Defining History and Social Science Content

• Examine the content and skills associated with history and social science instruction.
• Analyze the nature of citizenship education and its potential impact on students.
• Compare and contrast the different content areas that comprise history and social science.
• Examine ways in which history and social science may fit within an elementary curriculum.
• Apply national and state history and social science standards.
• Evaluate applicable Internet resources for use in history and social science instruction.

The History and Social Science P-8 Curriculum

• Compare and contrast several history and social science P-8 curriculum models.
• Analyze the elementary student's perspective on history and social science.
• Devise curriculum that expands children's knowledge of the world community.
• Devise strategies for curriculum mapping.
• Integrate history and social science instruction with other content areas.
• Evaluate Internet-based lesson plans.

Unit Planning

• Create a unit skeleton that includes goals, objectives, essential questions, sample activities, and assessment tasks.
• Create lessons that require students to utilize critical thinking and study skills.
• Explain how to use questioning for critical thinking.
• Create lessons that incorporate strategies for active learning.
• Integrate the use of primary sources into social studies lessons.
• Create assessments that appropriately match the established objectives and include performance-oriented tasks.

Teaching a Diverse Population

• Examine how personal experiences shape teaching/learning perceptions in the history and social science classroom.
• Accommodate instruction and assessment for diverse learners.

Integrating History and Social Science and Other Content

• Construct themes and content connections for integrated units of study.
• Design an integrated instructional unit.
• Evaluate integrated and/or interdisciplinary lessons.