Curriculum Const & Assmt: History/social Science –

mte531

(2 credits)

This course defines and provides a context for teaching and assessing K-8 students in the area of history and social science based on scope, sequence, and national and state standards. Instructional approaches for the content area within the framework of an integrated curriculum are explored, including the use of critical thinking skills and study skills. Students develop alternative assessments and traditional testing tools based on clear criteria, which are designed to yield accurate information on student progress.

This graduate-level course is 4 weeks. To enroll, speak with an Enrollment Advisor.

Topics and Objectives

Defining the Social Studies Discipline
- Examine the characteristics of effective social studies instruction.
- Compare the social studies discipline areas of history, geography, civics and government, economics, and psychology.
- Examine the themes and skills of the national and state social studies standards.
- Analyze the nature of citizenship education and its potential impact on students.
The History and Social Science K-8 Curriculum
- Examine developmental expectations in the instruction of social studies content for elementary and middle grade students.
- Analyze students’ perspectives on history and social science and the implications for instruction.
- Recommend curriculum that expands children’s knowledge of the world community.
- Describe strategies for curriculum mapping.
- Describe ways to integrate history and social science instruction with other content areas.
Differentiating Instruction for Diverse Learners
- Examine how personal experiences shape teaching/learning perceptions in the history and social science classroom.
- Examine current trends and issues regarding differentiating social studies instruction and assessment.
- Analyze instructional strategies used to modify learning activities for diverse learners.
Lesson Planning
- Create lessons that incorporate strategies for active learning.
- Create lessons that require students to utilize critical thinking and study skills.
- Explain the importance of including primary sources in history and social science lessons.
- Evaluate applicable Internet recources for use in history and social science instruction.
- Create varied assessments that align to the lessons objectives and include performance-oriented tasks.
Integrating History and Social Science and Other Content
- Design an integrated instructional unit.
- Evaluate integrated and/or interdisciplinary lessons.
- Describe how the integration of social studies with other content areas promotes student learning.

The University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses.
While widely available, not all programs are available in all locations or in both online and on-campus formats. Please check with a University Enrollment Advisor.
Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice.

Curriculum Const & Assmt: History/social Science –

mte531

Defining the Social Studies Discipline

The History and Social Science K-8 Curriculum

Differentiating Instruction for Diverse Learners

Lesson Planning

Integrating History and Social Science and Other Content

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