TE 548 Methods of Teaching Social Studies

Credit, three hours.
This course explores theory and methods on achieving artistic literacy through guided experiences in preschool and elementary-age children. Emphasis is placed upon fostering creativity through an interdisciplinary and integrative, collaborative approach with special emphasis on the integration of the arts (dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and digital media) with core academic standards from ALCOS: English Language Arts, Science, and Mathematics, with additional emphasis on Alabama Social Studies standards. A variety of pedagogical methods of instruction will be explored, including Universal Design for Learning. Candidates will have opportunities to plan risk-free creative exploration activities that provide authentic alternative assessments for academic content through integrated lessons. Candidates will be required to design lessons that will engage students in developmentally appropriate learning experiences that integrate various genres of literature and hands-on activities to experience social studies in real and meaningful ways. The lessons must reflect an understanding of the interrelated nature of each child’s cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical development. Candidates will be required to design and record samples of lessons in which an integrated instructional approach is utilized. Further, candidates will be expected to reflect on and write about the value of an integrated curriculum approach to instruction to guide students as they develop a sense of their place in the world as private individuals and as public citizens. Candidates will be expected to know and utilize appropriate APA formatting in all writing assignments. This course requires field experience in approved school settings.