ED 4345-001/501

LA/SS Methods
Spring 2006

Mrs. Michelle Weiner

University of Texas at Dallas
Teacher Development Center
P.O. Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
972-883-2730
michelle.weiner@utdallas.edu
thecastlemaker@msn.com
Cell- 214-729-0807

Course Description:

This course is designed to study techniques and strategies employed by

social studies teachers that are effective in motivating elementary school
children to acquire the information, skills and modes of reasoning unique to
the social sciences. Students are expected to plan, author and present
instructional plans demonstrating the use of various methods, techniques and
materials and expand their understanding of the field of social studies.

Course Objectives:

Through readings, activities, assignments, observations, and class

participation, students will:

1. Be exposed to a variety of teaching methods (critical thinking, lecture,

cooperative learning, simulation, etc.) used in social studies education.
2. Acquire key concepts and terms used in social studies education.
3. Practice instructional planning skills.
4. Develop an understanding of the role of the social studies teacher in
developing the elementary child intellectually, emotionally and as a
responsible citizen.
Required Text:

James A. Duplass

Teaching Elementary Social Studies: What Every Teacher Should Know

Houghton Mifflin Company

Materials:

1 Pack of Markers
1 Pair of Scissors
1 Roll of Scotch Tape
1 Glue Stick
1 Pack of Multi-colored Construction Paper

(These materials will be used in class activities and projects.)

Supplemental Readings and Internet Sites:

Language Arts Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

(http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter 110/index.html)

TexES Test Frameworks for English Language Arts and Social Studies
(http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/)

Professional Development and Appraisal System Manual (PDAS)

(http://www.tea.state.tx.us/PDAS/)

Social Studies Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

(http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/ch113toc.html)

National Council for The Social Studies (NCSS)

(www.social studies.org/)

National Council For Teachers of English (NCTE)

(www.ncte.org/)

Social Studies Center (SSC)

(www.socialstudies.tea.state.tx.us/)
Course Requirements:

LA/SS Group Unit(10 Points)- You will be required to plan and teach an
interdisciplinary unit, focusing on language arts (listening, speaking,
reading, writing and thinking)and social studies (history, geography,
economics, government, sociology, psychology and anthropology), with
your designated group. The unit theme is “Women Who Made a Difference
in History.” Please use the instructional sequence model on page 240 to
guide your lesson plans. Each group will choose to focus on a person in
history who contributed to America’s liberties of today. Each unit must
contain:
• 5 daily lesson plans that will contain initiating, developing and
culminating activities
• A list of 5 children’s books related to your topic
• A culminating evaluation of the unit
• A copy of all papers given to the students and/or examples of all
projects or art work associated with your unit
The finished product must be typed, bound and presented in a creative
manner. One copy will be collected from each group. A presentation will be
given by each group to the entire class.

Field Trip (10 Points) - One way to make social studies “relevant” to
students is to include field trips as a part of your curriculum. Your job is to
plan a field trip for your proposed class that will extend the learning in your
classroom. You will be required to provide a one-page single spaced detailed
description of where you are going, a rationale for going, pre-trip activities
and post-trip activities. In addition, please develop a “treasure hunt” for your
students to keep them fully engaged throughout the field trip. This “treasure
hunt” will lead them through the field trip location while answering
questions and finding out important information. This documented
information will be used for a class discussion when they return to their
actual classroom. Please also include the grade level and TEKS addressed.

Social Studies Game(10 Points) - Each student will be required to design a

social studies board game that specifically teaches, reinforces or re-teaches a
TEKS skill. The game should contain directions, materials needed and
should be easy to understand and follow. The games will be graded on
creativity as well. The board games will be played in class. You will turn in
a photo of your game, the instructions and a brief description of how the
game was made.

Web Page Report (5 Points)-Select 10 web sites from the required text to
research on the internet. Please locate web sites that you would use in your
classroom. Explain how and why you would use these sites and how the
children will benefit. You should have 20 paragraphs in all, two for each
site.

Biography (10 Points) - Each student will be responsible for writing an

original biography book to include a title page, introduction, factual events,
author’s page and bibliography. The book must have an attractive binding
and should be geared towards a specific grade level. Please choose a
President of the United States for your book.

Portfolio (5 Points) - Students will be required to maintain a notebook that

will contain the results of all efforts in class. The portfolio will contain
sections that should be clearly marked with dividers that identify the 8
teacher appraisal domains adopted by the Texas Education Agency referred
to as the Professional Development and Appraisal System. The 8 domains
are listed below.

Domain I: Active, successful student participation in the learning

process

Domain II: Learner-centered instruction

Domain III: Evaluation and feedback on student progress

Domain IV: Management of student discipline, instructional strategies,

time and materials

Domain V: Professional communication

Domain VI: Professional development

Domain VII: Compliance with policies, operating procedures and

requirements
Domain VIII: Improvement of academic performance of all students on
the campus

Each assignment will be evaluated as it is submitted. However, growth on a

broader scale will be done at the end of the course. This will allow self-
evaluation and personal growth of the class. Each student will be required to
participate in a group portfolio conference with the instructor. These
conferences will be held at the end of the semester. Portfolios will be
discussed in detail.

Exams- There will be a mid-term and a final exam worth 25 points each.
The exams will be multiple-choice. No make-up exams will be given.

Professionalism-Class members are expected to demonstrate a professional

attitude at all times. An educator demonstrates his/her professionalism in
ways such as being on time for class, participating in and contributing to
class activities, accepting responsibility, interacting appropriately with the
instructor and other students, exhibiting self-control, using mature judgment,
being reliable and responsible, and maintaining personal and professional
integrity.

Final Reflection-(Extra Credit) You will be required to write a detailed

reflection of your learning during this course. The reflection should be 2
type written pages in length. Include in your discussion an evaluation of the
textbook, class discussions and experiences, assignments and discoveries
made during this course. Please respond to the following questions:

1. Which of the experiences in this class had the greatest impact on your
learning?
2. How did this course contribute to changes in your thinking about social
studies?
3. What grade do you believe you earned in this class and why? Please
include issues of professionalism, attitude, effort, participation and
attendance.
Written assignments:

All written assignments are expected to exhibit professional quality. You

should demonstrate mastery of organizing, structuring and editing your
writing. Grammar, spelling and vocabulary errors will result in a reduction
of your score. All assignments are to be turned into the instructor on the due
date. No late assignments will be accepted.

Final Grades

In order to receive a passing grade in this course, students must do all of the
following:

♦ Attend all classes with a maximum of 2 absences

♦ Complete and turn in all assignments
♦ Make a score of 70% or better on the midterm and final exams

Evaluation Methods and Grading Considerations:

Total Points= 100

A=90-100
B=80-89
C=70-79
D=60-69
F=Below 60
Attendance:

DO NOT MISS CLASS! Attendance at all class meetings is required and

essential to your success in this class. Many class objectives are met during
active participation in class, therefore your attendance is vital to your
learning and success in this course. Failure to attend class will impact your
grade. If you must be absent, you are expected to contact a class member to
obtain notes, announcements and any other important information. Frequent
tardiness and leaving early will also negatively impact you grade.

Course Outline:

Jan. 12- Introductions, Syllabus, Unit 1

Jan. 19- Unit 2/Communicating thoughtfully
Jan. 26- Unit 3/ Web Page Assignment Due
Feb.2 –Unit 4/Maps- creating and labeling
Feb.9 –Unit 5/Management and Bulletin Boards
Feb.16- Mid-Term Review /Board Games Due
Feb.23- Work Day for Group Units
March 2- Midterm Exam
March 9- Spring Break
March 16- Field Trip Assignment Due/Brief Presentation
March 23- Unit 6/Group Unit Meeting
March 30-Biography Books Due/Presentation
April 6- Units 7 and 8
April 13- Group Units Due/Presentations
April 20-Portfolio Conferences and Final Reflections Due
April 27- Final Exam