PRIMARY DIVISION SOCIAL STUDIES

All courses evolve from an egocentric design.

KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM

Expectations are sorted under the heading “Personal and Social Development”

Focus is on readiness to learn with and about others.

Expectations focus on attitude, independence, self- and other- awareness, perceptions, coordination,patterns students see

ACHIEVEMENT CHARTS

Start at Grade 1 Include the four categories common to older

grades: - knowledge and understanding - thinking - communication ( including map, globe, and graphic skills) - application* Note that 3 of the 4 achievement categories

focus on process skills, and one focuses on content

TEACHING APPROACHES

Vague direction is provided… - “grade and age appropriate activities and

assignments” - “encourage mastery of basic concepts” - “ …and development of history and research

skills” - “ …emphasize the relationship to the world

outside of the school” - “…encourage students to recognize the value

and relevance of what they are learning”

SPECIFIC STRATEGIES THAT ARE SUGGESTED

Guest speakers Visits to local museums Archeological digs Visits to areas of geographical

features ( landforms, rivers, etc.) Visits to art galleries Visits to festivals

What do all of these suggested strategies have in common?

They create a base of common experience.

We cannot assume that all primary children have experienced a rich and varied environment before attending school.

Part of the goal of your program is to provide common experiences as a basis for skill development.

BRAINSTORMING TIME!!

What other rich, common experiences can be provided for students in a strong primary Social Studies Program?

ORGANIZATION OF THE PRIMARY SOCIAL STUDIES PROGRAM

Two strands: 1. Heritage and Citizenship

2. Canada and World Connections

All units within these strands evolve from an egocentric focus

Me My family My community My country My world

Grade 1 Units

Relationships, Rules and Responsibilities

The Local Community

Grade 2 Units

Traditions and Celebrations

Features of Communities Around the World

Grade 3 Units

Early Settlements in Upper Canada

Urban and Rural Communities

Characteristics of Strong Social Studies Instruction for 6 to 9 Year Olds

?

ACTIVE LEARNING

Active Learning in Social Studies

What does it look like?

What does it sound like?

T-chart!!

OUR TASK

Select one unit from one Grade level. Develop concentric circle plans to make a rough outline for

this unit. - Unit title - Knowledge and Understanding Expectations - Connect K and U Expectations to process expectations under the three expectation headings in the guideline - With both Knowledge and Process Expectations in mind, develop an outline of active strategies

you would use with your students to achieve these expectations