What is Social Studies?
              There are many different definitions on what social studies actually is. From reading many articles and in class discussion I have determined what social studies really means. Social Studies means develop civic competence. According to the article National Council for the Social Studies states " Two main characteristics, however, distinguish social studies as a field of study: it is designed to promote civic competence; and it is integrative, incorporating many fields of endeavor." There are many topics that fall into social studies such as geography, sociology and history etc. Social Studies has five powerful elements which are meaningful, integrative, value - based, challenging and active.

Source: National Council for the Social Studies. “What Is Social Studies?” Expectations of Excellence: Curriculum Standards for Social Studies 

o   Meaningful – engaging, connects students with real world situations

o   Integrative – draws on more than one discipline, subject or skill set

o   Value – Based – strengthen students’ sense of democratic values and social responsibility

o   Challenging – incorporates different perspectives and draws on students’ critical thinking skills
Inquiry – challenges questions to check their understanding

o   Active – Participatory, makes use of manipulative or physical environment

         

Structure of Knowledge

J. Bruner: Facts, Concepts, Generalizations, Metacognition (highest level of knowledge – regulation of learning, can relate the learning to themselves). 

                                                             
                                                     Bloom’s Taxonomy

Bloom's taxonomy is used to define and distinguish different levels of human cognition. I heard about it before Dr. Smirnova mentioned it but I didn't know too much about it. The version was created as shown in the diagram to have the students think more frequently. Remembering the information involves the students reciting the terms and information learned. Students can use all different kinds of sources to help them in this aspect such as articles, dictionaries, notes, and books. Understanding is to check for the students ability to take in what they have learned. I will provided pictures or say the topic and hope for the student to say as much as they know about it. Checking for the students understanding can be through questions during the lessons (Stop Sign Method) and activities after the lesson. Applying consist of the students applying their knowledge to an assignment such as project, test, homework, quiz. Students need to apply the information that was taken in. Analyzing contains the students doing an activity or report on the particular information. Evaluation is important, its meant for the students to say their experience and thoughts on the particular assignment. Students will also be self evaluating themselves as well as their peers. Creating gives the students a chance to be creative such as making a board game or even writing an essay. Bloom's Taxonomy helps us teachers to develop higher level thinking skills in our students. Students will have a better understanding of the material when they are evaluating and creating something themselves or in a group.
 Ideas for Bloom's Taxonomy Posters!  - This website has great ideas on how to use Bloom's Taxonomy in the classroom with helpful charts and posters to guide the students. My favorite one was the charts that had the step and questions you should be asking yourself for guidance through that step. 
Below shows a video on more information about Bloom's Taxonomy

Modes of Assessment (Assessment Approaches)

Testing methods in which students demonstrate both knowledge and skills

o   Performance Assessment

o   Authentic Assessment

o   Selected Response Assessment

o   Multiple Choice, Binary Choice and Matching

o   Constructed Response Assessment

o   Completion, Short Answer and Essay

o   Grading and Reporting Student Achievement

These types of assessment can be used to assess the students through a fun active way such as Kahoot and Socrative.

Kahoot 
Kahoot is an interactive program where teachers can measure the students progress and understanding of a previously taught concept. Used as a review, teachers can utilize the data provided by Kahoot to see incorrect answers given by students and what their chosen answer was.This allows teachers to see where common class wide errors occur, which  in turn help the teacher recognize where he or she should spend time reviewing the concept. 

Socrative 
Socrative allows the students to engage the entire classroom with educational exercises and games. Teachers uses this as a review tool to check for students understanding. This allows teachers to see how many students got each questions correct or wrong. Socrative allows the teachers to ask a variety different types of questions such as true/false, multiple choice and short answer. I used this tool when I had to quiz my classmates this semester it was helpful and beneficial as the teacher to see what each students got correct and wrong.

American Revolution
         Today was the first time Christine and I taught the fifth grade class for the first time. Teaching a class for the first time is a strange feeling. I wasn't sure if I was excited or nervous to finally teach the students. Our first lesson started with a direct instruction lesson teaching all the events of the American Revolution. For warm-up I had pictures on the power point to review what my classmate Kelli taught previous week. This was a quick warm-up to get the students thinking back on track and seeing how much they learned for last week. Due to the time limit, if there was more time I would've liked the students to go in depth about the picture and explain what they might think it is and why. I think as a teacher it is important to hear student explanation of specific material. The students may know all the events that happened in the battle but not know the name of that particular event.
       

Introducing the events and battles that happened in the American Revolution. I found it the best way for the students to have fill in the blank notes. I find fill in the blank notes very useful. One the students need to follow along to the slides to know which part of the material they need to write down. Two the students will have the notes for themselves afterwards to study and to keep. The notes seemed to be beneficial and work for these students. As the presentation went on, I would check for the students understanding by using a "Stop Sign" and asking questions on the previous slides that the students would volunteer to answer. As a teacher it is important to check for the students understanding because you may think there listening but they need to grasp the information. From being in the classroom I learned how crucial it is to ask the class if they agree or disagree with there classmates. For example: Thumbs up if you agree with ___(name) thumbs down if you don't. 

After the presentation, it was time for the guided practice. The guided practice of the lesson is called the "We Do". I had a timeline on the board with some of the events that they just took notes on. This activity required the students to come up to the SMARTBoard and drag the correct event to each date. The students were allowed to ask their classmates for help if needed. I provided a handout of the correct answers for the students. When I think about the time when I was in elementary school I don't recall getting handouts often and notes. Personally, knowing that each student learned differently than others I like to handout everything I can to my students that they can always have and reference to when needed. 

The second activity was the matching game on the SMARTBoard this consist of people, vocabulary terms, battles, documents and other events. Students would volunteer to come up to the SMARTBoard and draw a line connecting the term with its description. Students once again, will have the opportunity to call on a classmate if they need assistance. My favorite guided practice activity was "Who Am I?". In this activity every students was given images of people in the American Revolution. I would announce to the class a clue about that important leader and that students would have a few seconds to think which person would match that description best. When time is up when I count down "3,2,1 Who am I?",  the students would hold up there pictures and as a class chorally say the leaders name. The students loved this activity, it was great to observe the students reaction and engagement during this activity. I was surprised how well it worked out, the only issue was if they were talking to there classmate or looking to see what their friends are going to hold up for an answer. 

 To close this lesson I had the students write an exit ticket on an index card. On the index cards the students had to write down three things they have learned, two things they found interesting, and one question they still have. This exit ticket was helpful as a teacher because I got to read the cards and see who is grasping the information and benefiting from the lesson. With the limited amount of time that we had left, I went around asking some students to share one thing on their index card. If there was a question a student had, I would see if any student knew the answer that could help out their classmate. Students learn more when they teach each other. Lastly, the independent practice consist of pictures of events, people and documents the students had space under the picture to write the name of that picture and describe it the best they can.

Reaction

This experience was something I can not describe. It made me realize that I am in the right field because I love teaching to children, I know there are many things I need to work on but isn't that the point of learning? Yes, I have taught a few children at once, and observed plenty of times but to finally have twenty-five students in the classroom and your in charge. I got the idea of what being a teacher is really like. Personally, I wish we had the opportunity to do this in every subject. I would love to do this again this semester, I think having this kind of experience is excellent.