Teachers for Social Studies
Transcript: Prior to taking a course at Old Dominion University, Kylei Nelson, a Social Studies Teacher, held little interest in Social Studies. "It didn't seem relevant. When I was in school, I learned the same history facts over and over, learned about Virginia's Regions, and took a course in Civics," claims Nelson. However, Nelson took a class in Instructional Practices for Social Studies and it was there, and through the guidance of Dr. Wendy Scott, she found her stance for teaching Social Studies in the classroom. Nelson said, "It was a wake up call. Social Studies is more than reading a history text book or knowing that you should vote. It's preparing students to become democratic citizens. It's using the past to prepare them for the future. It is enabling them to responsibly participate in society and endowing them with knowledge and problem solving skills to explain and decide their relationship to and with people and the world." Nelson's Students Give your students choice Treat the classroom like a Democracy Be comfortable talking about challenging topics Ask them what they want to know Discover the diversity of your classroom Use the diversity of your class in your lessons Use simulations Get them talking Get them asking Geographic Explorers Creative Thinkers Critical Thinkers Opinionated Resilient Capable of Challenging Topics Decision Makers Religious & Atheist Diverse Impressionable Trusting The World's Future In Nelson's class, students learn in the context of Family and Community. Nelson claims that teaching in the context of Family and Community helps students understand how their life-long commitment to Social Studies impacts their immediate life through family and also outside of their life through the community. Once they can make these connections they will be able to relate to country and worldly concerns/matters. Additionally, it gives them a chance to see and display how their activism matters. Nelson places her focus on preparing students to be democratic citizens. Nelson believes that when a teacher uses preparation for democratic citizenship as the focus, students can see how their actions and choices impact the world around them. Additionally, when students can make connections to their own impact of the world it will create a sense of responsibility in them to take action in community, national, and global matters. How you view your Students is the First Part of the Equation Nelson's Student's ARE... Researchers & Investigators Inquirers Contributors Cultured Discussion Experts In a Safe Environment Technology Users Current Event Seekers Little Historians Politicians in Training World Changers Be understanding Create a safe & Tolerant environment Peak their interesting Don't just spew facts Don't make it just about history/geography Don't sugar coat the truth Immerse them in visuals/dramatizations often Let them hear, feel, and see the difference they can make Use Technology Use the arts to your advantage! Make it authentic "My goal is to never send a child out into the world unprepared to make choices, or worse without the desire to make choices..." - Kylei Nelson Monday, December 5, 2016 $1.25 Why Nelson is Teaching Social Studies Where does Nelson put her Focus? Teach Passionately by.... Nelson's Tips for Passionately Teaching Social Studies One Educator Reveals her Passionate Teacher Stance Ask them the BIG Question! Nelson believes that students need a single BIG question that can be answered through their course work. Her BIG question is: "How does developing democratic citizenship change your relationship with local and global communities?" Kylei Nelson, Social Studies Teacher , has a Message for Future Teachers "BREAKING NEWS: Social Studies is Relevant to YOU!" Let them See the Difference they can make In What Context does Nelson Teach Social Studies? Likewise, Nelson pays particular attention to history. "Children need to understand the history of where they've come from. So that the efforts and troubles of the past aren't forgotten. And to give them a frame of reference to avoid repeating history," claims Nelson. She believes that focusing on these two ideas are essential to integrating all other aspects of Social Studies into the curriculum. Vol XCIII, No. 311 Nelson believes that when teachers understand that Social Studies is more than just history or regions of Virginia, they will elicit a desire in their students to want to be involved in Social Studies as a life-long commitment. Nelson concluded with, "My goal is to never send a child into the world unprepared to make choices, or worse without the desire to make choices, that affect more than just themselves. These students will help make decisions for you. So... BREAKING NEWS: Social Studies is relevant to YOU!" Teachers for Social Studies Nelson believes that teaching Social Studies is imperative in order to help build students social understandings and promote civic efficacy. Likewise, teaching Social Studies provides
Prezi Present
Prezi Video
Prezi Design
