Social studies 201517 225784929 2008-07-15T11:35:55Z Tj9991 192259 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/124.105.13.200|124.105.13.200]] to last version by ClueBot (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]]) {{Articleissues|article=1|tone=May 2007|expand=March 2007|cleanup=June 2007}} '''Social studies''' is a term used to describe the broad study of the various fields which involve past and current human behavior and interactions. Rather than focus on any one topic in depth, social studies provides a broad overview of human society past and present. Examples of subjects typically covered in social studies include: [[history]], [[economics]], [[geography]], [[government]], [[culture]], [[psychology]], [[sociology]], and other [[social sciences|social sciences]]. Social studies is also a common school study of history, social sciences, and humanities. == Social studies in child protective cases== A social study is a report prepared by a youth or [[child protection worker]] specifically for court hearings that outline witnessed or assumed behaviors of a youth such as tardiness, hostility, uncooperativeness, or delinquency, as well as a description of the child or youth's known familial history such as their social, cognitive, and medical histories. This report is not permissible in many courts due to being prepared in hearsay and for being an [[Inappropriate Report]]. Some courts will allow the report to pass as evidence in court provided court jurisdiction has been established. However controversy exists surrounding the fact that the social study report is still included as evidence in child protection and custody hearings regardless of its potentially malicious effects on the named youth in the report. Other arguments say that the social studies retroactive capabilities often perpetuate recidivistic behavior in the youth named in such reports as well as the social study reports that are considered are more paradoxical and ex parte that they deny the youth their right to [[due process]] before adjudication has been made in such discriminating and prejudiced judgment manner. ==Social studies in post-secondary and tertiary schools== The subject matter varies from institution to institution and includes both pure and applied [[social sciences]]. Examples of the former include [[sociology]], [[psychology]], and [[political science]]. Examples of the latter include [[business]], [[economics]], [[criminology]], and [[mass media]]. These schools may exclude certain [[humanities]] and [[natural sciences]] (such as [[earth sciences]] and [[climatology]]) which are included in many North American social studies classes. ==Social studies in the elementary grades [K-8]== {{Prose|date=September 2006}} '''Skills students are meant to learn in the social studies include:''' #good citizenship #critical thinking #problem solving #cosmopolitanism #conservation ====Citizenship and Civics==== Social studies aims to educate students to become caring, well informed citizens; realizing and connecting the social studies to one's sense of freedom and everyday lifestyle; examining the "code of behavior" within one's diverse society [e.g., morals, values, rule/law]. ====Culture and Cosmopolitanism==== {{Prose|date=September 2007}} *'''World and social views''' **Values include: ***awareness of stereotypes, ***bias, and point of view, ***awareness of multiple cultures, ***tolerance of cultural differences, ***protecting individual right to difference. *'''These values are meant to be developed through:''' **examining personal morals/values **comparisons **study of history and past experience **main point of the conclusion ==Methods of teaching== ===Constructivist pedagogy=== The social studies can be taught using the [[Constructivism (learning theory)|constructivist]] approach. This includes teaching that is intended to refine students' prior knowledge, develop inquiry skills through higher order and [[critical thinking]], and lead to students developing opinions about the world around them. *'''Instructional strategies:''' **direct teaching [not lecture] **problem based learning [PBL] **inductive thinking **cooperative learning **role playing **simulation **intelligence of history ===Digital technology and current events=== |↓ Teachers should strongly consider including digital resources in the teaching of current events. Students can access digital photos, videos, and interviews by using digital resource websites. Useful digital resources include: #Smithsonian [http://www.si.edu/] #Library of Congress [http://www.loc.gov/index.html] -American Memory #National Geographic [http://www.nationalgeographic.com] #National Archives [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/][http://www.archives.gov/] #Documenting the American South [http://docsouth.unc.edu/] These websites can be aligned with [[Standards of Learning]], [[curriculum]], and various units of study. Digital resources can demonstrate the relationship between past and current events in various ways, for instance, comparing old pictures to recent pictures and examining how they relate, or comparing current events such as the Iraq War to past events such as the first and second World Wars.