INTASC 5. Application of Content

The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.

 

     While it is critical for a social studies teacher to have the content knowledge in order to teach the discipline, a good teacher has to be able to apply the content knowledge to students in a way that they will understand, enjoy, and use in their lives. There are a lot of history, government, or geography buffs like myself out there. However, it takes a lot more than having the content knowledge to teach social studies effectively to students. Many of the topics discussed in social studies happened hundreds and thousands of years ago. It is important to make those topics interesting and relevant to students today. A teacher that just lectures to students will not get that job done. Lecturing to students every day will bore students, encourage only simple recall, and result in students not being able to apply social studies to their own lives.

     It is critical for me to apply my content knowledge to students using a variety of methods that force students to engage in higher level thinking. Throughout my time in the education program I have been exposed to a variety of methods to help me in applying the content to students. I was exposed to a variety of strategies to help me in applying the content to students. In my Fall methods class I continued to be exposed to a variety of methods in to help in applying the content to students. I also began in the Fall to use methods of applying content like anticipation guides and a moral continuum worksheet to students. I continued to apply the content knowledge to students in more creative ways in the Spring. I had students come up to the Smart board more often in the Spring and also played review games with students. I also continued to play short video clips from YouTube to help engage students. I also used frames, unit organizers, and one concept mastery routine to help students in learning the content.

     I will continue to work on using a variety of methods to apply the content to students. I plan on continuing to use the SIM Routines, videos, games, and other instructional methods I used throughout the year (See Evidence 1-4). It is also critical for me to learn how and becoming more comfortable with using even more methods to apply the content knowledge I know in a way that students can apply outside the classroom in their own lives. 

 

Evidence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evidence 4. Schoolhouse Rock: Elbow Room Youtube Clip