This course will provide an overview of social studies content that is learned in P-6 classrooms. Candidates will explore cross-curriculum strategies, the promotion of civic and economic competences, intellectual processes, and democratic dispositions needed for active engagement in public life with an emphasis on addressing the cultural, linguistic, racial, ethnic, linguistic, religious, gender-based, and exceptional learning needs of the individual. Using the National Council of Social Studies Standards, Virginia’s Foundation Blocks for Early Learning (PK) and Virginia Standards of Learning (K-6), candidates will explore historical content and design student-centered differentiated instruction to support the needs of all learners. The clinical experience for the course provides candidates the opportunity to be active participants by observing theory to practice, designing, and implementing lesson plans, and reflecting on teaching and learning.
Includes a 20-hr clinical experience in an elementary setting. Successful clinical experience is necessary for a passing grade in the class.