Social Studies is Important!

An article that I read this week entitled, "The Essential Role of Social Studies: Reflections on Arne Duncan's Article" discusses an article that Arne Duncan, former Secretary of Education, wrote about the importance of Social Studies in the classroom.  The article discusses a problem that I have previously written about in my blogs, students being taken out of "unnecessary" subjects to focus on subjects that require "high-stakes" testing.  The following quote from the article sums up my opinion on the matter because we are not only depriving our children of a vital piece of their education but we are also not adequately preparing our future leaders and members of our communities, "This is a travesty because it increases the ignorance of our students, our future voters and our future leaders, in the vital area of civics."  This problem can easily be avoided through integration.  Social Studies is vital to literacy and that is just one example.  Our students do need to learn to be great readers in order for them to read important documents and contribute to our society.  However, why only teach them to read and not use that ability to educate them on social issues and social expectations?  If students know how to read but they do not know anything about history or other cultures besides their own, then they are going to be ignorant and non-sympathetic to other people's morals and values.  Duncan states that, "we may have the key, but there is more than one lock and the key does not fit them all."  The article speaks of Social Studies being locked out and that without proper funding from the Department of Education, this trend will continue.
Imagine if these basic standards in 4th grade were overlooked, there are many things covered in just this grade level that educate our children how to function in a society:

EX.4.G.1.1 Understand locations have specific 

addresses that include name of town/city and state.

EX.4.G.1.4 Identify tools that assist in obtaining 

wants and needs.

 EX.4.G.1.5 Use maps to locate places in the 

classroom.

EX.4.E.1.2 Communicate the roles and impact 

producers and consumers have on the North 

Carolina economy.

4.E.2.1 Explain how personal financial decisions 

such as spending, saving and paying taxes can 

positively and/or negatively affect everyday life.

4.E.1.1 Understand the basic concepts of a market 

economy: price, supply, demand,

scarcity, productivity and entrepreneurship.

These standards cover every day things that everyone must know to be successful.  Maps are important to help us go where we need to go or to find important places.  Also, everyone from every culture must understand the importance of financial issues and how markets work.

http://www.socialstudies.org/publications/reflections_on_secretary_duncan

Technological Barriers in Education

The earlier that we as educators introduce our children to technology and familiarize them with current technology, the better.  Technology is a great tool to use to enhance lessons and broaden our students understanding.  Technology can be used in a variety of different subjects and in a virtually limitless manner.  Technology can enable the teacher to differentiate lessons, form flipped classroom lessons using websites such as ShowMe, and also to integrate Social Studies into core subjects' lessons.  However, it is important that teachers first familiarize themselves with the current technological tools in order to achieve this.  Digital literacy, or lack of, is a problem in both children and adults.  Children may know how to use their gadgets for entertainment but are not as likely to use them as an effective educational tool.  Another barrier that we face with technology in education is that there are so many technological tools that it is difficult to determine which tool is most beneficial.  This is another reason why teachers should take the time to explore different options when planning to integrate technology into their lessons.  The article that I read has many different barriers that teachers must overcome in order to use technology effectively.

The Standards that I used were for Kindergarten because it is important to begin teaching technological skills as early as possible.  However, there are many standards covered with technology.

K.TT.1.1 Use a variety of technology tools to gather data and
information (e.g., Web-based resources, e-books, online
communication tools, etc.).
K.TT.1.2 Use a variety of technology tools to organize data and
information (e.g., word processor, graphic organizer, audio
and visual recording, online collaboration tools, etc.).
K.TT.1.3 Use technology tools to present data and information
(multimedia, audio and visual recording, online collaboration
tools, etc.).
K.SE.1.1 Identify examples of responsible use and care of technology
hardware and software.
K.SE.1.2 Remember internet safety rules.

https://campustechnology.com/Articles/2016/02/16/6-Major-Barriers-Impeding-Technology-Adoption-in-Education.aspx?Page=3