Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2024 - EDUC 474 E100

Designs for Learning: Elementary Social Studies (4)

Class Number: 4251

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 5:30–9:20 p.m.
    Surrey

  • Prerequisites:

    EDUC 401/402 or corequisite EDUC 403.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Focuses on teaching elementary school social studies and addresses aspects of the theory and practice of social studies education.Students examine their own thinking about social studies education through critical reflection, work with the prescribed curriculum, and explore various ways to develop engaging learning experiences for children within a consistent framework using appropriate instructional materials and methods.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is designed for pre-service teachers interested in enriching their understanding of social studies education and its place as a subject in elementary schools.  Students will explore perspectives, including their own, on social studies education through critical reflection, collaborative work with colleagues, and engagement with the prescribed curriculum.  Recognizing that there are many possibilities for how teachers can teach social studies, the importance of creating a personal vision and learning how to design diverse and thoughtful learning experiences for children will be emphasized throughout the course. 

The course is divided into three distinct but iterative sections:

  • Foundational aspects of teaching social studies - What is social studies? Why do we teach it? How will you teach it
  • Teaching strategies - How do we teach social studies? What are the possibilities?
  • Curriculum design & implementation - How do we design a social studies curriculum?

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • understand the underlying objectives of social studies education in Canadian elementary schools
  • become familiar with the British Columbia elementary social studies curriculum
  • explore possibilities for practice including teaching strategies
  • establish and justify a personal vision of social studies
  • experience curriculum planning (lessons & units) for social studies curriculum
  • learning to work collaboratively and cooperatively with other professionals

Grading

  • Working Group Seminar Facilitation 25%
  • Working Group Seminar Participation 5%
  • Written Response 25%
  • Curriculum & Unit Plan Assignment 30%
  • Unit Plan Participation & Contribution 5%
  • Class Participation & Contribution 10%

NOTES:

Details of each assignment will be distributed at the beginning of the course.
ALL assignments must be completed to receive a final grade for this class.

Weekly classes involve a lot of in-class discussions, activities, and group work, so it is pertinent that you attend, fully participate and contribute each week.  For each class missed without an appropriate reason, 2% will be deducted from your overall mark.  In cases where there is a valid reason to miss a class, marks will not be deducted but you will be required to do an additional written assignment.  The additional assignment will be discussed on an individual basis.

 

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Clark, P., & Case, R. (Eds.). (2021). Learning to Inquire in Social Studies: An Anthology for Elementary Teachers. Vancouver, BC: The Critical Thinking Consortium.

To purchase:

https://tc2.ca/shop/learning-inquire-social-studies-anthology-elementary-teachers-p-2243
note: both digital and print versions of the text are available for purchase - please choose what works best for you.


Ministry of Education, Social Studies Curriculum:  https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/


Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html