What are the attributes of a meaningful, well-planned Social Studies lesson?

I believe that social studies is as important a subject in school as math, reading and science. Unfortunately, social studies is often relegated to the “extra time” in the day, or the semester, and is at the bottom of the list of “important” topics to be covered in the classroom. What I think turns a lot of students (and teachers) off of social studies, is the memorization of facts that are not relevant, such as how much of the world’s wool is produced in which country. Most students (and teachers) do not know, or care to know this type of information. They memorize it, if at all, just long enough to be tested, and then forget it.

I believe that if planned properly, social studies can make students feel connected to their world, understand history, and respect and welcome diversity. Students should be interested in learning more about their world, their country, and their community. Social studies lessons should bring history to life for students, enabling them to understand how and why events have occurred throughout history, and how our country has been influenced by those events. Well planned social studies lessons should give students knowledge that will enable them to make sense of the world, and to make meaningful decisions as adults.

Social studies lessons should include the following parts: understanding the similarities and differences in groups, societies, and cultures; appreciation of cultural differences, interpretations, and expressions; knowledge of how cultures, ideals, and societies have changed or stayed the same over time; and integration of other subjects including language arts, science, math, and/or technology. Social studies lessons should integrate the six social sciences of history, geography, sociology, civics, anthropology, and economics. Any of these topics can be deadly boring in isolation, but if presented together they can motivate students to learn. The connections that bind these sciences together must be presented, so the information will be meaningful and relevant to students.

Finally, social studies lessons must be relevant to students, through intrinsic and extrinsic motivations for learning. These lessons should be presented using constructivist teaching theories, and should encourage independent thinking. As with all instruction, information must be relevant to the students, must build on knowledge students already have, and must allow students to develop their own opinions on the material.

I look forward to teaching integrated social studies lessons, that show students how the six social sciences are intertwined and connected with other subject matter, and teach and encourage them to develop their own meaningful opinions.