BFSSAdam

Easiest to Adapt To: A guidance counselor informs you that a student does not have access to technology... - Remove technology from the unit if it is not necessary, or print up information that they need for the assignment. Allow hand written work instead of typed. Hardest: Section with 30 students that don't work well together. - Limit group work since they don't work well together, make lessons fun and interesting, take a break during exercises to refocus.

3 Insights from the 4th Meeting with Beth: 1) Know the non-negotiable material all students need to know 2) Beg, borrow, and steal from other teachers/resources 3) I need to start my unit

I've wanted to be a teacher since 2001. Right after 9-11, I was riding the bus with some students who made the comment, "This is going to go down in history like all that other shit". I was dumbfounded. I had thought about being a teacher before that, but that day cemented it in my plans. I have always been a teacher or trainer at any job I've worked, so instead of teaching peers and coworkers, I'll be teaching kids. Another part of me wants to be a teacher because of the terrible teachers I've had along the way. I was more inspired by bad teachers than good ones through the years. I used to think I could do a better job than them, and soon I will be able to prove it.

Content Advisor Meeting 3: Advice from Beth: Include a rubric with the test for the essay portion, add point totals to each section of the test, match the standard with the lesson/unit.

Content Advisor Meeting, Take 2: 2 insights on assessment: 1) Performance Assessment works well but is time consuming. 2) Include accommodations for students with special/exceptional needs.

Writing Boosts Learning in Science, Math, and Social Studies

What is the author's main argument? Writing is important in all subjects.

Does she support that argument convincingly? Explain. Yes, she does. Writing has improved test scores, increased learning, and shows that writing helps document what you learn

How does the information in this article support what you will do in your classroom? I think this article shows the importance of writing in social studies. This could mean using authentic assessment to help the students learn in a more genuine and effective manner as opposed to standard tests. Writing could also be used as a formative assessment to make sure the students are prepared for a standard test.

Abstract Teaching is an ever evolving practice that continually needs to be analyzed. Three current trends pertaining to the field of social studies are backwards design, common core standards, and objectivity in grading. Backwards design is an approach that encourages teachers to start with the end goal and work their backwards in order to find instruction that will get them to that goal. The common core standards are attempting to bring uniformity to teaching by setting the same standards for all those that adopt them and setting fewer, clearer standards. Objectivity in grading is an attempt to get teachers to remove any bias they may have while grading student’s work. This is crucial for teachers looking to move away from standard tests and into a more authentic assessment-based grading system. This paper looks into the use of and possibilities for different trends in the social studies.

Content Advisor Recap: When we met with Beth, she was able to suggest several current trends in social studies. I chose to look into common core standards, backwards design, and objective grading. I was able to find articles for all three areas and used them for my five journal articles.

I love wikis. As you peruse your content area textbook, please complete the following activities and/or questions. You may place your response on this page.

1. Write a bibliographical entry for the book using APA format.

Zevin, J. (2000). Social studies for the twenty-first century. Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

2. What is the author’s background in education?

BA University of Chicago 1962, MAT 1964, PhD Michigan 1969. Prof of Sec Ed at City University of New York - 1969-present.

3. Skim through the Preface and the Personal Prologue. What are 2 things that you learned about the book or author?

Book layout - 16 chapters relating 3 components. Balance between ss goals and techniques.

4. Looking at the Table of Content, what are the 6 main parts of the book? 1.Philosophy and History of Social Studies 2.Teachers and Students 3.Strategies for Social Studies Instruction 4.Teaching the Social Studies Curriculum 5.Textbooks and Media in the Social Studies 6.Beyond the Social Studies Classroom

5. Which chapter should you definitely read before you begin the unit project? 7

6. Which chapter will be particularly helpful with planning assessments?

8

7. To aid your quick review of the textbook, how does each chapter begin and end?

Overview of Contents and Summary

8. Of all the chapters in the book, which one interests you the most? Why? 12, The book was published in 2000 so I'd like to see if the "new directions" are still new

9. Of all the chapters in the book, which one will you probably not read during this course? Why?

1 or 2, I think I have a pretty good idea already.

10. What is one section in particular that you would like to discuss further with your content advisor?

Part 3: Strategies for Social Studies Instruction. I'd like to learn some new techniques that will be useful in the classroom.


 * Instructor Recommendations for Reading:**
 * For Research Essay—Read Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 12, 13, and 17. Highlight as you read a chapter. Then stop and list your “Top 5 Ideas/Tips” from the chapter. Read only one chapter at a sitting. Chapters 9, 10, 11 are also important, but the main ideas and summaries may be enough at this time.
 * For Unit Plan and Summative Plan—Read and highlight Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8.
 * For Job Preparation—Chapter 16 and 17