Teaching Social Studies in Elementary School

Course Details

Course Number: EDUC 4302  Section Number: 101

Fall 2012

Location: Off-Campus

Classroom Number: MSU Room - Cunningham Elementary

Days & Times:

Monday & Wendesday 8 - 10 a.m.

Course Attachments

EDUC 4302 (101) Syllabus  EDUC 4302 (101) Fall 2012 - Nagel-20120830-101320.pdf

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Paul Nagel   
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Course Objectives

Course Objectives: The successful participant in the course will be able to:

  • Describe learning and thinking in elementary and middle school social studies.
  • Develop curriculum and use effective instructional planning skills.
  • Develop appropriate assessment tools to assess students learning.
  • Use assessment data to design appropriate learning activities.
  • Develop lesson plans/units that involve students in an active learning environment.
  • Develop and implement effective teaching strategies for successful social studies learning.
  • Develop lesson plans/units that incorporate national standards in social studies.
  • Develop lesson plans/units that incorporate state standards in social studies.
  • Develop learning activities that involve the infusion of technology.

Course Expectations

One measure of your success in the course will be determined by your success in demonstrating your knowledge of the skills and tools necessary to be an effective educator. 

As you complete the assignments for this class, you will demonstrate skills from the following five categories:

  • Planning and Preparation - demonstrate knowledge of content and pedagogy; demonstrate knowledge of students; select instructional goals; demonstrate knowledge of resources; design coherent instruction; assess student learning
  • Classroom Environment - establish a culture for learning
  • Instruction- communicate clearly and accurately; use questioning and discussion techniques; engage students in learning; provide feedback to students; demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness
  • Professional Development - Reflect on teaching; show professionalism; contribute to the school and/or district
  • Technology Integration - demonstrate the use of technology in the learning/teaching process.

 


Grading Standards

Planning and Instruction (200 points)

  • 1 developmental lesson plan (50 points)
  • 1 lesson plan with connection to the social studies (50 points)
  • Lesson plan reflection (50)
  • Performance Assessment Assignment, Rubric and Quiz (50 points)

Class assignments, etc. (75 points)

  • Learning Style Assignment 1 & 2 (50 points)
  • Graphic Organizer (25 points)

Class Contributions, Attendance and Mentor Feedback (25 points)

Final Exam (50 Points)

Total Points (350 points)

Grade

Point Range

A        93%-100%

324-350

B        86%-92%

300-323

C        78%-85%

272-299

D        70%-77%

244-271

F         below 69%

243

Grade Scale

 

 

 

Grading Policies:

All assignments must be attempted to be eligible to receive an A or B.  All field experience hours must be documented to be eligible to take the final examination and receive a passing grade in this course. Five points per day late will be deducted on all assignments. All assignments (including planned lesson, taught lesson, journal entries etc.) will not be accepted three days past the due date unless there are extenuating circumstances. Assignments may be submitted electronically in extenuating circumstances.

Taught lesson, including reflection on how it went, must be turned in NO later than three days after the lesson is taught.  It is important to reflect on how well your lesson went or did not go in a timely manner.


Submission Format Policy

Correct spelling and use of appropriate grammatical skills are expected on each written assignment or project.  All projects are to be typed and utilize an appropriate style.  Assignments are to be accomplished with the quality expected of an upper division university student.  Unacceptable work will be returned, un-graded, to the class member.  Students should always retain a copy of any work turned in for a grade. In most cases, student work will be submitted electronically to the course instructor using the email function of WebCT.  Explanation of the procedure and process of electronic submissions will be presented in class. In some cases students will be expected to submit assignments electronically and bring a hard copy of the assignment to class for class discussion and group work.



Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

All assignments must be attempted to be eligible to receive an A or B.  All field experience hours must be documented to be eligible to take the final examination and receive a passing grade in this course. Five points per day late will be deducted on all assignments. All assignments (including planned lesson, taught lesson, journal entries etc.) will not be accepted three days past the due date unless there are extenuating circumstances. Assignments may be submitted electronically in extenuating circumstances.

Taught lesson, including reflection on how it went, must be turned in NO later than three days after the lesson is taught.  It is important to reflect on how well your lesson went or did not go in a timely manner.


Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

Attendance: Professional teachers are dependable, reliable, and responsible. Therefore, candidates are expected to be on time and in attendance at every class, and to stay for the entire class. Tardiness, leaving early, and absences are considered evidence of lack of dependability, and are taken seriously. Candidates will receive a grade of F on the third absence and this F will apply to all block courses. After the second absence from the course it is mandatory that a student schedule an appointment with the course instructor to discuss attendance.  Failure to schedule and attend a conference will result in the grade for the course being lowered by one letter.  It is the candidate’s responsibility to make up any missed work. A summary of a missed class cannot be provided via email.  It is also expected that you will complete all course field experience hours in a professional manner.  Professional conduct is expected when observing or participating in school settings (e.g., dressing appropriately, arriving on time, remaining for the entire pre-arranged time, not canceling, and demonstrating respect in all interactions with children, parents, teachers, and staff).  If you must miss your field experience for any reason, you are expected to call the school and the teacher you are observing before school begins for the day.  You must also contact the course instructor by e-mail or phone to let me know you will not be present and arrange a time with me when we can discuss the most appropriate way to make up that absence.  Excessive tardiness (determined by the professor) can be defined as an absence and subject to the absentee policy.  Three instances of tardy arrival will be counted as one absence.

 In the event that a class member is absent, for whatever reason, that individual assumes responsibility for contacting the instructor to account for missed work and to turn in work.  If a student is going to be absent, they have the responsibility to contact the instructor to turn in assignments and obtain copies of any handouts from the missed class.  Tentative assignment due dates are listed on the course schedule. While the actual due dates may vary due to the flow of the class, all assignment due dates will be finalized and announced in class well in advance of the specific date.  Unless there has been advance approval from the instructor, it is assumed that all assignments will be submitted on the date they are due.  Late work, unless arrangements are made by the student and approved in advance by the instructor, will not be accepted.


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.