College
Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences
Date of Last Revision
2023-05-04 17:29:11
Major
Early Childhood Inclusive Teacher Preparation
Honors Course
5200-430 (Honors Research Project: Early Childhood)
Number of Credits
2
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts in Education
Date of Expected Graduation
Fall 2021
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to focus on the importance of social studies topics taught in the primary classroom. I will examine the main social studies and historical topics teachers focus on under the framework of the Ohio Common Core State Standards (OCCSS). I will also examine a local school district’s primary social studies curriculum and interview a primary and high school teacher for their thoughts on the benefits of teaching social studies in the classroom, and what topics they think are the most important to cover for their students’ education and success in the higher grades and in the real world. This study will cover defining social studies, defending the many benefits of teaching social studies to primary-grade students, the history and formal adoption of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), the history and formal adoption of the OCCSS, the main goals of the CCSS, the four social studies strands (history, economics, geography, and government) and what they entail, a brief overview of Norton City School district’s demographics and social studies curriculum and standards, an interview with a primary and high school teacher regarding the importance and benefits of social studies in the classroom, and a reflection on their replies, and some concluding thoughts.
Research Sponsor
Professor Kristin Jagger
First Reader
Dr. Jane Fink
Second Reader
Dr. Susan Corl
Honors Faculty Advisor
Dr. Lynn Kline
Recommended Citation
Simkanin, Katie, "Social studies in the primary classroom: Why they are important" (2021). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 1253.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1253
Included in
Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Early Childhood Education Commons, Elementary Education Commons
Comments
This project was conducted over Fall 2020 to Spring 2021. I am thankful for the opportunity to have created this project, and I enjoyed learning more about my content field.