syllabus

= = =EdSocial 215 2009=

__**Learning Outcome 1:**__
Develop an understanding of Social Studies as a discipline and as a renewing curriculum in elementary education. Gain an understanding of the goals and structure of the Grade 1 – 5 Social Studies curriculum. Develop an awareness of the dimensions of curriculum through the lens of Schwab’s commonplaces.
 * Topics/Questions/Big Ideas:**
 * What is Social Studies and why do we teach it?
 * What we teach and how we teach involves choices about the knowledge, perspectives and values we include and exclude. Schwab’s commonplaces of education provide a lens through which we can examine classroom curriculum.
 * Renewal of the Gr. 1 – 5 Curriculum is a response to social needs and current research in education. Renewal reflects rationales for teaching and choices about content, perspectives and values.
 * Indicators of Learning**:
 * Recognize the Social Sciences that contribute to the discipline of SS
 * Assess and interpret the purposes of the rationales for teaching SS. Relate the rationale(s) behind various approaches
 * Design and critique learning experiences through the lens of Schwab’s commonplaces of education.
 * Develop an interdisciplinary unit of learning around one or more goals of the SS curriculum which reflects the inquiry process. //(major assignment)//
 * Explain the rationale for curriculum renewal and relate the Ministry of Learning’s goals of Social Studies education to various learning activities.

**__Learning Outcome 2:__**
Examine and analyze citizenship education, cultural education, and global education applying a critical lens to the perspectives and values involved.
 * Topics/Questions/Big Ideas:**
 * What is citizenship education and what perspectives and values do I bring to my teaching and understanding?
 * What does it mean to be culturally responsive? Why is this important? How can I do this in my classroom and in the teaching of Social Studies?
 * Why is the inclusion of Aboriginal content and perspectives important to all learners?
 * How do I help students broaden their understanding of the world and its peoples, and their roles and responsibilities within a global community?
 * Indicators of Learning:**
 * Examine the concept of culture in relation to any of the four goals of Social Studies and develop an inquiry activity/lesson using children’s literature as the starting point for inquiry. Lesson promotes multiple perspectives and a global consciousness.
 * Design a project to connect your students with learners beyond your classroom in order to gain multiple perspectives of their world and to promote meaningful communication and collaboration ( Interactions and Interdependence goal).

__**Learning Outcome 3:**__
Develop a repertoire of instructional approaches, including inquiry learning, and incorporate them in activities and lessons designed to support the needs of diverse learners in Social Studies.
 * Topics/Questions/Big Ideas:**
 * What is inquiry learning and what are some ways we can use inquiry approaches to teach Social Studies? How does inquiry learning differ from traditional approaches to learning?
 * How can multidisciplinary instruction support student learning?
 * How can fiction and non-fiction literature can support learning in SS?
 * How can Internet resources support learning SS in Grades 1 – 5?
 * How can I plan activities and experiences that are learner centered and meet the needs of diverse learning styles and/or multiple intelligences?
 * Indicators of Learning:**
 * Design and present a game/activity that provides learners an opportunity to gain new information and/or apply skills within the dynamic relationships goal (DR) of SS.
 * Design an inquiry learning experience based on fiction or non-fiction literature that outlines a process to make thinking visible.
 * Demonstrate use of online tools to support the learning process; determine readability of online resources.

__**Learning Outcome 4:**__
Uses a backwards design approach to develop authentic learning experiences and methods of assessment.
 * Topics/Questions/Big Ideas:**
 * How do I plan for learning that is meaningful, relevant, novel and builds an emotional connection?
 * How do I plan for authentic assessment being aware of assessment as/for/of learning.
 * Indicators of Learning:**
 * Demonstrate an understanding of authentic assessment as/for/of learning.

Evaluation for Learning Outcomes