Thursday, February 4, 2016
Integrating Social Studies into Lessons
As we discuss ideas to integrate Social Studies into our lessons and we talk about differentiating our lessons, I have noticed in the classrooms that I am a teacher's assistant in the many ways in which the teachers I work for have been doing this. There are major themes each month that usually follow along with holidays (Columbus Day. MLK Jr. Day etc.) and the lessons (especially reading) are used to integrate these themes into them and teach the students about the reason for these holidays and about the people that they are named for. Theses classes recently (January) made timelines (2.H.1.1) of Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and read about the important issues that he dealt with and stood up for. Currently, the students have began learning about our U.S. Presidents because of President's day and George Washington's birthday coming up soon in February by reading about them in our Basal series reading books. It is really important that these topics are implemented into reading lessons because as much as reading and math are focused on, if we did not cover social studies during this time, the children would not have an opportunity to be introduced to these people and events in history.
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I have talked to many teachers recently that talked about how the only time they teach or talk about social studies is during reading time. This makes me a little sad. There are some books that I want to read to my kids just for fun and focus on the reading skills. Social studies needs its own time set special aside! However, I do think that integration is so important. Being able to connect learning in all subjects can make all the difference. I think that it is really cool that the teacher you work with has themes based on the holiday or month. I personally think that it makes learning for the kids more fun!
ReplyDeleteDavid you are right. If things like presidents, community leaders (MLK) and other types of history are not integrated within other contents they will be easily forgotten. Its nice to see that your school/class is doings something meaningful that allows students to learn about history. I always enjoyed Black History month lessons and my teachers creativity. Hopefully, your students get to act out one person or watch a movie about them. Or for the presidents, maybe mock the "election"... There is so much to do involving Social Studies around this time of year that will keep students engaged and make learning fun.
ReplyDeleteDavid, I am glad your school is already talking about these important leaders. How do the teachers you work with take the learning beyond the individuals to bigger concepts?
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