Reflecting on the 6 courses I've taken thus far at Lesley, I would have to say that this Social Studies course has been the most beneficial for me. It has taught me great hands-0n, practical experience that I will take with me into the classroom.
I never had a clear understanding as to what subjects fell under the Social Studies heading until now. Social Studies encompasses so many subjects that it makes complete sense that a curriculum should be integrated to incorporate Social Studies as well as all the other elementary grade courses. I also see how incorporating various subjects under one main theme makes the learning much more interesting and exciting for students.
I have learned a great deal regarding the Web from this course. I now understand what wikis, podcasts and blogs are all about. Often the Internet can seem overwhelming and the thought of integrating web activities and Internet use into our lesson plans can seem daunting. I have less web-fear at this point. There are so many interesting web sites available for me as a teacher to learn valuable ideas and lesson plan concepts.
For students, there are a multitude of sites available for learning offered in unique, imaginative ways. I wish I could have had the Internet at my fingertips when I was a student. (Typing on a typewriter was the only keyboard we had.)
Tarry Lindquist's book will remain on my book shelf and will be my handbook as I enter the teaching profession. She is a phenomenal teacher and integrates her curriculum flawlessly. Page after page, I am excited learning about her lesson plans and ideas for making learning enjoyable and successful for her students. As Tarry says, "When it is integrative, meaningful, value-based, active and challenging, social studies teaching and learning is powerful" (page 4). I agree wholeheartedly.
After reading Chapter 8 on assessing student achievement, I particularly enjoyed Tarry's advice regarding three different types of assessment: the teacher's assessment, the student's own assessment and peer assessment. I have always viewed assessment as going in one direction, from the teacher to the student. These three different assessment strategies are superb and offer such different perspectives. Being assessed by a peer is so different than being assessed by one's teacher. And assessing oneself is imperative as well. This last form of assessment, causes the student to be self-reflective which is crucial in life. Students need to evaluate themselves and their personal goals, in the classroom and in life in general.
I am now armed with meaningful knowledge and feel well prepared to start my internship, with enthusiasm but also with ideas and lesson plan concepts to share.
