Course Overview

The course introduces participants to the concepts, issues, and methods relevant to teaching social studies at the secondary level. Teacher candidates will gain conceptual knowledge and practical experience with planning, materials development, instructional approaches, and assessment in multiple-ability classrooms. The course also provides participants with an introduction to instructional technologies for use in curricular planning, instruction, and assessment. This course is field experiences are required for this course.

Logistics

One section of this course is offered in the Fall semester and is only available to students who are in Phase I of their internship. Some course activities are conducted in the course Blackboard ® site.

Learning Outcomes:

  1. Students will analyze and evaluate various instructional strategies appropriate for Social Studies as a discipline.
  2. Students will observe and reflect on classroom experiences and incorporate constructive feedback into their teaching and planning.
  3. Students will design activities, lessons, and an extended unit plan that demonstrates effective teaching practices.
  4. Students will evaluate a variety of teaching resources and technology related to Social Studies.
  5. Students will plan, implement, and reflect on a variety of instruction strategies appropriate for students from diverse backgrounds and with varying needs, interests and learning styles.
  6. Students will design and evaluate various techniques for supporting and assessing student performance.
  7. Students will produce artifacts that demonstrate their ability to meet standards of the National Consortium of Social Studies and other relevant professional standards.

Key Assignment Descriptions

  1. Contextual Analysis of School

    Work with other interns at your placement to gather and analyze about your school community, including student performance.

  1. Content Expertise Paper

    Describe, analyze, and support your content knowledge, skills, and experiences in each of the National Council of Social Studies thematic standards.
    As a reflective teacher, how will you optimize your strengths and address your weaknesses?
  1. Teaching Philosophy

    Compose a two-page articulation of your teaching philosophy. Use references from at least two sources to support relevant points.
  1. 10-Day Comprehensive Unit Plan

    Students will develop a comprehensive unit plan in a content area that they will teach during Phase II. Students will develop a comprehensive unit plan in a content area that they will teach during Phase II.