Social Studies Methods

       Social studies methods has been a fun class thus far.  I have always loved social studies throughout my years of school and can not wait to help my future students see how fun it can be to learn social studies concepts.  The major aspect we have discussed in this class that stood out to me the most was the difference in the way social studies is taught to students now, verses when I was in school.  I remember when I was in school, the teachers would make us remember dates of events, presidents, facts about war and slavery, and etc.  I could always remember the dates and facts through the use of repetition, but I never understood the purpose of remembering these facts and topics.  Once we began to discuss concept-based instruction it was a huge eye opener for me.  I couldn't believe my future teachers did not take the facts and topics farther to bring us to the understanding of the "big idea" or what is called concept.  When the teacher uses the concept-based instruction they are teaching the students about concepts through the facts and topics, these lead the students to the concept and then to the generalization.  I wish when I was in school we would of been taught with concept-based instruction.  I believe I would of learned and understood more about the concepts that happen in the world around us.  For example I would of understood more about politics, taxation, trade, investment, and etc.  Concepts are to be timeless, universal, abstract, transferable, and they are the big ideas.  This list helps me to determine a concept from an idea.  This will be helpful to have and remember when deciding and finding a concept to teach my future students.  By using concept-based instruction teachers are opening up the door for students to make so many connections through subjects and real life and they are helping students to learn life lessons.  The North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards that connect to concept-based instruction are standard four, Teachers Facilitate learning for their Students, "teachers help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills" (NCTCS).  This is where students learn to communicate, reason, and make connections.  Also, the second standard concept-based instruction connects to would be standard three, Teachers know the Content they teach, "teachers recognize the interconnectedness of content areas/ disciplines" (NCTCS).  This is where the teacher contributes global awareness to students.
I have also enjoyed our top tweets of the week and being able to participate more on twitter.  I found a tweet on some helpful advice this person believed every teacher should endeavor.  The tweet is called "21 things every teacher should try"(tweet).  I have attached the link to the tweet below.  https://twitter.com/clcsimon/status/954092805781118976     
       After, looking over the aspects listed I found game based learning.  This aspect stood out to me the most because in my years of school, when we would play games in class I feel as if I absorbed more knowledge as opposed from other activities.  I know from my experience working at a daycare and helping to raise my brother that kids love games and are always excited to be interactive in the classroom.  I know for the four and five year olds I have at daycare they do not like to sit still in their seats for very long, they love to get up, move around, and have hands on activities.  So I decided to do more research on game-based learning.  I found a video from a scholar Constance Steinkuehler about her research on game-based learning.  She discusses how students passions can help fuel their successfulness in literacy.  She found a way to connect the gaming world to literacy, by building upon the interest the student would show.  For instance the game was more of a resource and when the student became interested in certain series they would show them where they could read more and they would bring them books that fit their interest.  Mrs. Steinkuehler also spoke of "treating the students like communities" this helped me to see how you can connect many subjects together (Steinkuehler).  The NCTCS standard that game-based learning connects to is standard four, Teachers facilitate learning for their students, "teachers integrate and use technology in their classroom" (NCTCS).  I found this to be a very intriguing and encouraging video.  This video helped me to think outside the box and to see other ways in which you can teach your students that would spark their interests.  I encourage you to check this short video out, I have attached the link below. <https://www.edutopia.org/video/constance-steinkuehler-interest-driven-learning-big-thinkers-series>       I have been able to create networks with former teachers through the wisdom from experience project.  I also plan on joining the #edutopiachat, which will take place on Feb 7.  I have also signed up for some online webinars to improve my professional development.  I plan to teach concept-based instruction in my future classroom.  I feel like by teaching through concepts my future students will achieve and absorb so much more beneficial knowledge for their academic careers and life lessons for their real life endeavors.  In my future classroom I will help my students to see the importance of facts and topics and how they lead them to the concept and "big idea."  I will help students to have a voice in my classroom and help them to see that their opinions matter in my classroom and the world.  I want my future students to feel important, needed, and confident that they can reach their dreams.  I will learn to use some game-based learning in my future classroom.  I feel like my future students will benefit from the use of game-based learning tremendously.  This type of learning would help spark interest of some if not all students and would help them to absorb information they may have not been able to absorb before.  I hope to find games that are interactive, fun, and educational.  I would even like to create my on game-based learning games myself one day.  I think if I continue my research I will gain even more knowledge on game-based learning.  I also believe I will gain even more valuable knowledge on concept-based instruction as the semester progresses.  I have enjoyed this class so far and I am excited to see what we learn next!
Resources:
North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards <http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/effectiveness-model/ncees/standards/prof-teach-standards.pdf>
Concepts v. Topics. (2016, January 10).  Retrieved February 1, 2018, from <https://youtu.be/ynLJFhdGnGu>
Twitter
Johnson, S. (2018, January 18). 21 things every teacher should try!
<https://t.co/LkoHDHFQ1P#kidsdeserveit#tlap#LeadLAP#LearnLAP#engagechat#edchat#JoyfulLeaders#t2t#Sketchnote#geniushourpic.twitter.com/7z34di49KO. Retrieved February 1, 2018, from https://twitter.com/clcsimon/status/954092805781118976>
Game-based Learning
https://www.edutopia.org/video/constance-steinkuehler-interest-driven-learning-big-thinkers-series