LAI 521LEC - Improving Elementary Social Studies

The focus of LAI 521 is teaching and learning social studies in the elementary school. We explore a variety of topics and issues related to social studies content, instruction, and assessment. Much of our conversation and work highlights questions relevant to the social studies field at large–e.g., what is/are the goal(s) of social studies? what is a viable relationship between teaching, learning, and assessment? how do we construct classrooms that reflect democratic ideals? These questions are important and play a role in every teacher’s practice. But given the nature of LAI 521, our focus always returns to the classroom and to the practical issues of teaching and learning social studies.

Credits: 3