To me, the most important aspect of a social studies lesson is to ensure that students are able to connect to the topic. Students may initially think the topic is unimportant. Therefore, it is up to the teacher to help the students make connections to the topic so that students will understand the importance. In order to do this, lessons should:
- Grab the student's attention at the beginning of the lesson; give the students something really interesting to think about and discuss.
- Connect the topic to the real-world, which helps students understand the importance of the topic.
- Be fun. It is important to find out what students are interested in and have a social studies lesson that connects to these interests. For example, I think it would be fun to have students act out a part of history; students would perform research on how people dressed during that time period and what they may have had at that point in time. Students would then either perform a pre-written play or create their own play to perform.
Overall, it is important that social studies lessons not be taught directly. Instead, it should be discovered. Teachers can help students discover the topic by allowing them the opportunity to read non-fiction books, perform research, have discussions, etc.
An important attribute for teachers to have a well-planned lesson is to be well prepared with the necessary materials and knowledge of the topic. Since social studies includes many aspects (the social science aspects like civics, economics, etc), it is necessary for teachers to know what topics are most important for elementary students to learn and plan lessons that cover these main topics.
I look forward to learning more about the attributes of a meaningful, well-planned social studies lesson.
Can't say it better than this: "Overall, it is important that social studies lessons not be taught directly. Instead, it should be discovered." Well done!
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