IL Learning Social Science Learning Goal 18
Understand social systems, with an emphasis on the United States
(Social Systems and Skills)
Examples of Teaching Practices (Illinois highlighted)
- Demonstrate knowledge of common themes and concepts in the social sciences (e.g., continuity, change, culture) and how to apply them in understanding people, places, and events.
- Demonstrate understanding of the basic principles and procedures of inquiry in the social sciences (e.g., modes of inquiry, formulation of research questions and hypotheses, use of historical analysis to make informed decisions).
- Apply principles and procedures for gathering, organizing, comparing, interpreting, analyzing, and summarizing social science information presented in various forms (e.g., tables, maps, graphs, narratives).
- Recognize how to use children's and young adult literature to support learning in the social sciences.
- Demonstrate knowledge of a wide range of instructional resources and technologies to support learning in the social sciences.
Internet Resources & Links
Recommended sites for Certification Test Preparation- Elementary Education Subject Matter
Skills Tutor >>
This site is particularly helpful in that the instructions are audible, the skills are broken down into two levels of difficulty, and each tutorial includes “learn,” “practice,” and “apply.” This site features 20 social studies skills.
Houghton Mifflin Classroom Resources >>
This site includes a wealth of helpful materials centered around the following topics: Activity Search, Bilingual Resources, Current Events, eServices, Graphic Organizers, Link Library, Monthly Themes, Outline Maps, Shape-Book Patterns, Using the Web. (Two helpful sites are listed separately below.)
Houghton Mifflin Classroom Resources: Using the Web >>
Grades 1 & 2: Learning from Web Sites and American Symbols (pdf)
Grades 3 - 5: Searching for Web Sites and Find the Right Site (pdf)
Grades 6 – 8: Finding and Evaluating Web Sites and What's Your Source? (pdf)
Education Place Classroom Resources: Outline maps >>
This site contains a wealth of outline maps that can be downloaded and printed.
Social Studies Resources >>
This site provides access to a large number of social studies games and related materials. This includes historical content, maps, the world, 50 states, U.S. Presidents, and flags.
Social Studies Skills >>
This site is mainly concerned with map skills. However, there is access to sites that feature cartooning, time lines, and a sample of webbing, outlining, and writing a summary. This site comes from a teacher at Harris Middle School in Tennessee.