“The primary purpose of Social Studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.” (adapted from the National Council for the Social Studies [NCSS] definition of Social Studies).
Social Studies teachers are story tellers. Through stories such as the brave loyalty of Navajo Code Talkers and the intense heroics of D-Day soldiers, our goal is to ensure students understand history. It is how we were taught back “in the day” and the favorite teaching style today. It is comfortable. A good story teller can enthrall and mesmerize students. My desire to become a Social Studies teacher started when I fell in love with the stories my 8th grade teacher told.
Presently, the NYS Common Core Social Studies Framework focuses on how to “help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions.” This is where story telling collides with skills. What is more important? Knowledge of the background content or developing skills to unearth the story? How do we curtail, or edit our stories (that we love) to teach skills? We pretty much already have the year planned, right? What gets cut? How do we teach skills? How do we ensure kids get the whole story? Who decides what the whole story is, anyway?
If you are reading this blog looking for answers to the posed questions, I am going to let you down. We are looking at content with fresh eyes every day to make decisions on how to include skills in student-centered lessons. It is incredibly difficult work, mainly because we feel charged with speaking for those individuals who made such an impact on the World.
Balancing skills and content is the new reality of being a Social Studies teacher. It is a challenging shift and everyone processes through change differently. As professionals, we will make the journey and transition together. One day at a time.