Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Required Textbooks:
1. Teaching Social Studies in Middle and Secondary Schools, Fourth Edition
by Peter H. Martorella
2. A Link to the Past: Engaging Students in the Study of History, 2004, NCSS.
By Yell, et. al.
3. Texas Social Studies Framework, Texas Education Agency, 1999 (for sale at TDC
$10.00, or free online at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/ssc/ under downloads)
Course Description: Curriculum and Instruction in Social Studies is designed to help prepare
students for successful and effective classroom teaching. Current theories and methodologies
will be studied and practiced with an emphasis on their practical applications to Social Studies
curriculum using the current national and state standards.
Course Objectives:
The student will:
1. use the Social Studies TEKS, as well as other material, to plan a unit of study.
2. observe a variety of teaching techniques during field experience and reflect on their
effectiveness.
3. gain experience for the TExES tests in Social Studies with practice exams.
Course Requirements:
1. Professional attitudes and behavior that demonstrate your ability to be a successful
classroom teacher. This includes punctuality, preparation, attendance, and respect for
others. See attendance policy below.
2. Twenty hours of classroom observation. Currently employed teachers will observe ten
hours taught by other teachers in their school system, or read three journals in lieu of the
observations.
3. Develop a major unit plan with complete lessons and assessments.
4. Take mid-semester and final exams that will include TExES practice test for your area.
Evaluation: Unit Plan 40%
Observation Report 20%
Exams 20%
Attendance 10%
Preparation 10%
100%
Attendance Policy: Because the nature of this course is experiential, absences will directly
affect the student’s ability to comprehend and incorporate the material covered in class. If you
are absent for any reason, you should contact a classmate to find out what you missed. You will
be held responsible for work due the class meeting following an absence and making copies of
material missed. More than one absence will result in 0 points for class attendance. After three
absences, you should initiate drop proceedings. Exceptions to this policy must be worked out
with the professor.
Syllabus
Date Topic Assignment Due