Assignment

Active Learning: 

            Description of Best Practice: Information is taught in several different ways for young learners. Active learning includes some type of hands on learning. Activities that get the students involved physically, mentally and socially as appropriate for their age to learn about themselves and the world around them (Seefeldt, Castle and Falconer, 2010). It is important for the teacher to guide the students.  “In effective social studies programs, elementary teachers use a variety of approaches, strategies, technology, and materials to support children’s interests and abilities” (National Council for the Social Studies, 2017). Using this approach makes it possible to differentiate for the different abilities in a class.

            Social Studies Application of Method for Birth to Age 5/Pre-K: For this age group, playing with others and by themselves creates the opportunity for a child to learn about themselves, others and their surroundings. “Children learn by doing” (Seefeldt, Castle and Falconer, 2010). An example for preschoolers, using a simple map to learn countries and sing a song with hand signals or use a motion for each country.  The child will be able to remember this information easier when it is associated with some type of motion.

            Social Studies Application of Method for K to Age 8/Grade 3: For this age group, investigation can be used to learn more about our country and different cultures around the world. Specifically, learning about the different cultures of the students in the class. Students would be paired up to discuss and share one to two facts about their culture or family traditions. After partner time is over, then the students can share one new piece of information they learned about another student’s culture. The teacher could guide the students to make a T chart to show similarities and differences. The teacher provides additional information where needed. Pictures drawn or provided from magazines could be used for Kindergarten instead of words and sentences. Third graders could do research online to gain more knowledge about their partner’s country. If technology is available, the teacher could help make a power point presentation or short video sharing what they learned from each