Explores topics in history taught in grades K-8 and prepares students to teach these topics. This course presents a survey of Michigan and American history through Reconstruction, as well as early world history. Core course topics may include but not be limited to the following: social studies in grades K-8, Grade Level Content Expectations, using primary and secondary resources, connecting self to the local community, Michigan history and government, American history and government – early settlers through Reconstruction, the purpose, structure and function of government, core democratic values, early Western hemisphere history, and early Eastern hemisphere history.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
This course seeks to increase student content knowledge of Geography, World History, American, and Michigan history and apply this to an elementary setting. Students will apply their knowledge of educational concepts and practices to the field of social studies education.
This course addresses the Michigan Department of Education's core teaching practices and teacher standards.
Core Teaching Practices
Lower Elementary PK-3 Education Preparation Standards
Upper Elementary 3-6 Education Preparation Standards
Professional Standards 5-12
Special Education Preparation Standards
- Social Studies in grades K-8, Grade Level Content Expectations
- Apply methods of social studies investigation.
- Evaluate primary and secondary historical sources for use in the K-8 classroom.
- Identify appropriate Grade Level Content Expectations.
- Discuss the purpose of the C3 Framework.
- Analyze methods of building civic responsibility and citizenship in children.
- Analyze the foundations of the Core Democratic Values.
- Demonstrate our diverse cultural heritage and explain how it informs our civic judgments.
- Using Primary and Secondary Resources
- Evaluate primary and secondary historical sources for use in the K-8 classroom.
- Identify appropriate Grade Level Content Expectations.
- Discuss the purpose of the C3 Framework.
- Apply knowledge of American government and politics to explain current political decisions or debates.
- Demonstrate our diverse cultural heritage and explain how it informs our civic judgments.
- Connecting Self to Local Community
- Compare and contrast institutional structures of American local, state, and national governments.
- Apply methods of social studies investigation.
- Evaluate primary and secondary historical sources for use in the K-8 classroom.
- Identify appropriate Grade Level Content Expectations.
- Analyze methods of building civic responsibility and citizenship in children.
- Analyze the foundations of the Core Democratic Values.
- Apply knowledge of American government and politics to explain current political decisions or debates.
- Demonstrate our diverse cultural heritage and explain how it informs our civic judgments.
- Michigan History and Government
- Compare and contrast institutional structures of American local, state, and national governments.
- Apply methods of social studies investigation.
- Evaluate primary and secondary historical sources for use in the K-8 classroom.
- Identify appropriate Grade Level Content Expectations.
- Demonstrate our diverse cultural heritage and explain how it informs our civic judgments.
- American History and Government – Early Settlers through Reconstruction
- Identify significant developments in American history through the Reconstruction period.
- Compare and contrast institutional structures of American local, state, and national governments.
- Apply methods of social studies investigation.
- Evaluate primary and secondary historical sources for use in the K-8 classroom.
- Identify appropriate Grade Level Content Expectations.
- Purpose, Structure and Function of Government
- Compare and contrast institutional structures of American local, state, and national governments.
- Evaluate primary and secondary historical sources for use in the K-8 classroom.
- Identify appropriate Grade Level Content Expectations.
- Analyze methods of building civic responsibility and citizenship in children.
- Analyze the foundations of the Core Democratic Values.
- Apply knowledge of American government and politics to explain current political decisions or debates.
- Core Democratic Values
- Compare and contrast institutional structures of American local, state, and national governments.
- Apply methods of social studies investigation.
- Evaluate primary and secondary historical sources for use in the K-8 classroom.
- Identify appropriate Grade Level Content Expectations.
- Analyze methods of building civic responsibility and citizenship in children.
- Analyze the foundations of the Core Democratic Values.
- Apply knowledge of American government and politics to explain current political decisions or debates.
- Demonstrate our diverse cultural heritage and explain how it informs our civic judgments.
- Early Western Hemisphere History
- Identify significant events in early World History.
- Apply methods of social studies investigation.
- Evaluate primary and secondary historical sources for use in the K-8 classroom.
- Identify appropriate Grade Level Content Expectations.
- Diverse Cultural Heritage
- Apply methods of social studies investigation.
- Evaluate primary and secondary historical sources for use in the K-8 classroom.
- Identify appropriate Grade Level Content Expectations.
- Analyze methods of building civic responsibility and citizenship in children.
- Analyze the foundations of the Core Democratic Values.
- Demonstrate our diverse cultural heritage and explain how it informs our civic judgments.
- Geography
- Apply methods of social studies investigation.
- Evaluate primary and secondary historical sources for use in the K-8 classroom.
- Identify appropriate Grade Level Content Expectations.
Assessment and Requirements
Assessment of academic achievement may include, but not be limited to case studies, unit quizzes, community research projects, research papers, group assignments, portfolio review, essay, mid-term and final exams.
At least 50% of assessments are pedagogically relevant to elementary classrooms and reflective assignments
As determined by the department. Recommended (not required) textbook: Fritzer, P. (2010). Social Studies Content for Elementary and Middle School Teachers. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon, Inc.
Outcomes
- Social Sciences
- Civil Society and Culture - U.S. and Global
- Category 4: Social Sciences