TMA 6640 K-5 Social Studies Education
An interdisciplinary approach to social studies instruction is presented identifying the contributions of the six social science areas; integrating the various elementary subjects; and aligning the national, state, and local curriculum standards in lesson planning and instructional formation. The course analyzes current trends in instructional strategies to accommodate differing learning styles, abilities, and interests and apply learning theories and principles of child development to instructional planning that includes long and short-range goals appropriate for students. Methods to assist the learning of social studies by students with special needs, including English language learners, are included. An emphasis is placed on student participation in lessons, higher-order thinking, visual and performing arts, technology, language arts, inquiry based models, authentic assessment, and project based learning. The course also requires involvement with the professional community through various experiences.