Methods of Teaching Social Sci

Course Description

Prepares candidates in History/Social Science to be effective and reflective teachers, emphasizing current research. Comprehensive study of teaching methods in the social sciences: economics, history, political science, and geography. Candidates learn pedagogical content knowledge, methods of teaching and learning, classroom management strategies, lesson planning, and assessment of student learning.

Learning Outcomes

• Utilize developmentally appropriate grade level content using the Health Framework and History- Social Science Content Standards for California Public Schools in the following areas: history, economics, political science, and geography.
• Explain the role of the classroom teacher as a role model and leader in relation to student learning and academic achievement; development of students’ physical, emotional, and social well-being.
• Choose supporting positive learning environments in management strategies that ensure development within the cross-cultural, linguistically diverse classroom.
• Demonstrate social science teaching materials, use of technology, methods, and strategies appropriate for secondary school age.
• Identify the local, state, and national community and educational resources and agencies, and Internet resources necessary for meeting the social science requirements of all learners.
• Design lesson plans in an approved format that meet grade level social science expectations as identified in the Health Framework and History- Social Science Content Standards for California Public Schools.
• Discuss the professional standards, ethics, and reflective practices of the classroom teacher in order to effectively enable, promote, and reinforce learning among students.

Requirements

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Students are expected to participate in all activities and discussions, complete readings as assigned, complete projects and exams as scheduled, and turn in all assignments on time.

Reflective Journal – The reflective journal will be a short (4-5 pages) reflection on what was learned in the readings overall in class and how that learning can be used to improve one’s teaching. Candidates are to utilize the template provided addressing what they learned, what they learned that will help students learn, what new metacognitive understanding they have gained as a teacher and learner. Reflective journal is to be submitted twice during the course

Field Experience – Observation: Candidates will observation of a social science education class. Candidates will complete a written analysis of teaching and learning.

Lesson Plans -signature assignment: Candidates must design 2 social science lessons for a particular group of students and for different domains of social science. The specific Lesson Plan format MUST be used for planning. All parts of the lesson plan must be completed and align with the Social Science Framework And Social Science Content Standards For California Public Schools: Kindergarten Through Grade 12. TPEs and the TPA Task 2 requirement.

Prerequisites

• TED305