Texes 232 Domain Vii: Social Studies Foundations, Skills, Research And Instruction

Front 1

social science inquiry

Back 1

social studies teachers need to stress a scientific approach to social studies. lessons should be developed that require students to think of problems, create a hypothesis, examine evidence, and form educated conclusions. Any time an "investigation" activity can be incorporated into a classroom the better the chance of students developing higher level thinking skills.

Front 2

social science disciplines

Back 2

If one were conducting historical research, knowledge of all the disciplines is vital. For example, if one were studying WWI then he or she would certainly need to understand the basic chronological events, but also knowing the psychology of Keiser William I and the relationship he had with his European cousins (basically all the monarchs of Europe) would be vital for understanding why he acted as he did. In addition, could someone really study the French Revolution without a basic understanding in economics and political science? The point is everything is interconnected and whenever possible all social studies angles should be examined when conducting research.

Front 3

problem solving process

Back 3

-identify the problem
-gather information
-list and consider options
-consider advantages and disadvantages
-choose and implement solutions
-evaluate the effectiveness of solutions

Front 4

decision making process

Back 4

-identify situations that require decisions
-gather and analyze information
-identify options
-predict consequences
-take action

Front 5

the role of social studies research

Back 5

although social studies research does not cure cancer, it has made a remarkable difference in the lives of people. For example, the supreme court cited sociology studies that indicated that African Americans psychologically and socially from segregation when they decided Brown v. Board. Social studies research findings are also used when drafting legislation and over-hauling curriculum.

Front 6

Types of sources

Back 6

In the social sciences, we deal with two major types of evidence. These are primary and secondary sources. A primary source is something that was produced by someone who was actually there when an event took place. EX:
-diary entries
-photographs
-a newspaper article IF the reporter was there when it happened.
-a survey
-a letter
A secondary source is something that is produced by someone using a primary source, EX:
-a newspaper article when the reporter arrived after the event an interviewed witnesses.
-an encyclopedia entry
-a textbook
-a book written about someone else(biography)

Front 7

The reliability of sources

Back 7

Not every source of evidence in social studies research is reliable. Some sources prove to be fake. For example, some historical documents have proved to be forgeries. Using scientific dating methods the age and location of origin of paper documents can be determined. Additionally, an examination of language can reveal words being used in a document that were not even in use during the time the document was supposed to be written while handwriting analysis can reveal subtle or not so subtle attempts at actual forgery. Many times sources are not reliable due to the background of the author. Another issue involved in reliability is bias.

Front 8

Presenting information

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one should use as many different types of sources as possible. The material should be collected and organized into formats (charts, databases) that allow for various ways of looking at the material.

Front 9

Research questions

Back 9

the key to formulating a research question is to be as specific as possible.

Front 10

research methods

Back 10

there are two major types of social studies research - quantitative and qualitative. In quantitative research, actual numbers are crunched to produce data and results, statistics. Qualitative research has statements, interviews, and writings to be examined to lead a researcher to a conclusion.

Front 11

TEKS (Texes Essential Knowledge and Skills).

Back 11

The social studies TEKS is divided into strands; history, geography, economics, government, citizenship, culture, science and technology in society, and skills. Each grade level from K-8th and in all high school social studies courses have specific TEKS that are divided into one of these 8 strands. The strands also spiral from one year to the next, meaning that content skills build upon each other. In the 8th, 10th, and 11th grades students are tested upon their knowledge of the TEKS on the TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills.) Students must pass the 11th grade exam before graduating.

Front 12

Instructional Considerations

Back 12

Teachers should include the following when creating lessons:
-different resources that are challenging, relevant, and age appropriate. The textbook is only one of many resources.
-numerous primary and secondary sources
-technology to present information in as many ways as possible
-it is important to teach study strategies and to focus on the process of learning. teach how to think and learn, not only basic academic skills.
-focus on process of learning.

Front 13

Students should be asked to do the following:

Back 13

-use technology to find, organize, and display information
-make real-world connections
-practice reading comprehension strategies
-learn new words and etymologies
-make connections between subjects

Front 14

Assessment considerations

Back 14

it is always a good idea to begin each unit with a "pretest" or a diagnostic test where students have the opportunity to demonstrate what they already know about a topic or what skills they have. Teachers should use the results of these diagnostic tests to plan lessons.
other forms of assessment include:
-oral presentations
-posters, collages
-video and power point presentations
-writings (diaries, letters)
-games
-brain storm lists

Front 15

Freedom Week

Back 15

a March 2011 campaign that took place in Canada to raise awareness about contemporary slavery.

Front 16

A historian studying the impact of the Civil War on American society is most likely to ask which of the following research questions?

Back 16

How did the South’s defeat shape the reconstruction of the Union?

Front 17

Students benefit from constructing and using population pyramids to:

Back 17

predict the future need for human services in a nation. (Because a population pyramid displays the population of a country by age and gender, it would be possible to predict the future need for human services. For example, when a population pyramid shows a large number of young people and a smaller number of older people, it can be predicted that there will be more need for services like medical care and social security when that large group of young people comes to retirement age.)

Front 18

Which of the following documents is considered a secondary source?

Back 18

The Journal of American History. (The Journal of American History is a scholarly journal, or a peer-reviewed periodical, that serves as a forum for presentation and scrutiny of new and existing research. As such, it is considered a secondary source.)

Front 19

A researcher is examining students’ study habits and their impact on academic performance. To identify the relationship between time spent studying outside class and final exam score, a researcher is mostly likely to employ which of the following research designs?

Back 19

Correlational study. (As part of a systematic study of the research project described in the question, the most effective and efficient approach would be to examine the correlation between time spent studying and exam results, establishing data for each student individually and then aggregating the data.)

Front 20

Which of the following activities best encourages reflective thinking by students participating in a mock election in their civics class?

Back 20

Writing a journal entry describing the reasons behind their vote