CALLING ALL TEACHERS! (esp. elementary)

[Cajungal]

Howdy, all.

So I'm in a class that is supposed to prepare us for teaching Social Studies, but all this teacher has done so far is try her best to validate teaching Social Studies when there is no LEAP test for it.

We all agree in the class that it's a good subject... we just want to get on with the damn meat of the material. The book is mostly fluff about what a cool subject it is. GO SOCIAL SCIENCES! *cheesy thumbs up*

So I'm on my own for preparing. I want to know as much as I possibly can about Geography, American History, and Local Government (and other SS subjects as well) before I graduate. I bought some Praxis II prep books, but I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on how to branch out.

I'm also looking myself at the moment, but I thought I'd see if anyone here had a good experience with a certain book.

 

[Vytamindi]

Can't really help you here, but I think I know someone who can. Lemme do some networking

 

[Cajungal]

Yay, networking! Thanks.

I feel so ashamed. Grammar? Mathematics? No problem. Social studies?.... God I remember so little. I'm having a mammoth pang on shame today. No one trust me with their children's minds!

 

[Odie]

My wife is a middle school SS teacher, I could pass along any questions you have to her. Let me know what you want to know.

 

[sixpackshaker]

If you are near your hometown, go find one of your grade school teachers, and ask for mentoring. Or hit one of the more respected schools in your area and network. The good teachers will talk. I'd definitely keep to LA teachers because they will be familiar with what you will need to teach your students by law/policy.

 

[Covar]

are Civics covered in Social Studies? If so I recommend not skipping on the Civics, as its a subject I find people are tremendously lacking in.

 

[Cajungal]

I agree with you Covar. It's definitely ONE of the things covered. It's also a high school course unto itself here (dunno about anywhere else).

Odie, I wanna know anything that's really important. I just want a feel for the highlights of what kids need to know. I can't teach everything, because SS encompasses so much. But there are some essentials like how communities function, the basic history of our country, things like that.

Wow, sixpack, I should really go visit Ms Duhon. She's the one who made me want to teach. My 2nd grade teacher. She once bought me a notebook and requested that I fill it with stories and poems. <3 It was so touching.