ED 3382-501

Curriculum and Instruction in Social Studies

2005 Fall
Instructor: Mary Helen Haines

Office: Teacher Development Center

Office Hrs: Wednesday 6 to 7, or by appt.
Phone: 214-801-3844
Email: mhhaines@utdallas.edu
Class website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CISS-UTD/

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://socialstudies.tea.state.tx.us)
Optional booklets:
TEKS Biographies and Glossary: Available $10.00 at TDC, or free online at
http://socialstudies.tea.state.tx.us

Highly suggested:
History Strategies for Active Learning: Grades 5-12 (teacher resource for creating
lessons) $49.99 Order forms will be provided in class.

Essential Websites:
www.tea.state.tx.us/teks
www.sbec.state.tx.us
http://socialstudies.tea.state.tx.us

Course Description: Teaching of History and 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. demonstrate a lesson to the class that incorporates studied methodology.
3. observe a variety of teaching techniques during field experience and reflect on
their effectiveness.
4. 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, with journal entries and reflection essay.
Currently employed teachers will observe ten hours taught by at least five other
teachers in their school system, or read three journals in lieu of the observations.
 3. Develop a major unit plan that would encompass 2 to 4 weeks of time. Present to
our class a lesson from that plan.
4. Take mid-semester and final exams that incorporate TExES practice questions.

Evaluation: Unit Plan 40%

Observation Report 20%
Exams 30%
Attendance 5%
Preparation/Presentation 5%
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

1-Aug. 24 Introduction to Social Studies Teaching

Aug. 26 Registration Deadline for TExES test

2-Aug. 31 TEKS /TExES Introduction – Ch. 4

Computer Lab in Texas Social Studies
Framework
Ch. 1-4 in Martorella

Diagnostic Test Due

Print out the Domains and

Competencies for your
TExES test (Composite or
History) from SBEC
Website:
www.sbec.state.tx.us

3-Sept. 7 Planning to Teach: Ch. 5 in Framework pp. 39-46

Instructional Planning Ch. 5 in Martorella
Review Wong Ch. 21, 22

4-Sept. 14 Planning continued Draft of Unit Proposal due

Print out TEKS for your
unit’s course and bring to
class
5-Sept. 21 Assessment in the Social Studies Ch. 14 in Martorella
Classroom Ch. 5 pp. 53-65 in Framework
Review Wong Ch. 23

6-Sept. 28 Mid-Term Exam

Oct. 1 TExES Exam Date

7-Oct. 5 Assessment continued Unit Exam due

8-Oct. 12 Social Studies Instructional Methods Ch. 5 in Framework pp. 46-53

(Coop. Learning, Simulations, Inquiry) Ch. 6, 7 in Martorella (hand in)
Link: Interactive Lecture p.
14; Conceptual Cont. p. 36;
Coop. Group p. 52

9-Oct. 19 Methods continued Ch. 8, 9 (hand in)

(Skills, Values) Link: Philosophical Chairs p. 41
One Lesson Activity Due

10-Oct. 26 Methods continued Ch. 10, 11 (hand in)

(Multicultural, Reading) Link: KWL p. 9; RAFT p. 26;
Ant. Guide p. 30; Note Taking p.
32; I-Search Essay p. 48

11-Nov. 2 Methods continued Ch. 12, 13 (hand in)

(Technology, Special Needs)
Link: Response Group p. 18;
Video Viewing p. 22

Nov. 4 Registration Deadline for TExES test

12-Nov. 9 Unit Plan Due / mini- lesson demonstrations

13-Nov. 16 Observation Report Due / mini- lesson demonstrations

14-Nov. 21 mini- lesson demonstrations

15-Nov. 30 Final Exam

Dec. 10 TExES Exam Date

Instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus as needed.